How to use get_meta_type_metadata action in WordPress

get_meta_type_metadata action

The dynamic portion of the hook name, $meta_type, refers to the meta object type (post, comment, term, user, or any other type with an associated meta table). Returning a non-null value will effectively short-circuit the function.

To use get_meta_type_metadata action, first you have to register it using add_action. You can write this code into functions.php of your activated theme or in a custom WordPress Plugin.

We at Flipper Code, always prefer to create a custom WordPress Plugin while using hooks so nothing breaks when you update your WordPress Theme in the future.

In the below live example, we have defined a function execute_on_get_meta_type_metadata_event which takes 5 parameters and we registered using add_action. The first parameter get_meta_type_metadata is name of the hook, The second parameter execute_on_get_meta_type_metadata_event is name of the function which need to be called, third parameter is the priority of calling the hook if same hook is used multiple times and the last parameter is the number of arguments (if any) to be passed in the registered function.

Sometime, you have to remove a registered hook so you can use remove_action to remove get_meta_type_metadata action.

Parameters

Below are the 5 parameters are required to use this hook.

• $value : (mixed) The value to return, either a single metadata value or an array of values depending on the value of $single. Default null.
• $object_id : (int) ID of the object metadata is for.
• $meta_key : (string) Metadata key.
• $single : (bool) Whether to return only the first value of the specified $meta_key.
• $meta_type : (string) Type of object metadata is for. Accepts ‘post’, ‘comment’, ‘term’, ‘user’, or any other object type with an associated meta table.

Live Example

add_action( 'init', 'wpdocs_init' );
 function wpdocs_init() {
    add_filter( 'get_user_metadata', 'wpdocs_get_foo', 10, 3 );
}
 function wpdocs_get_foo( $check, $object_id, $meta_key ) {
    if ( 'foo' === $meta_key ) {
        // Always return an array with your return value.
        return array( 'bar' );

Below is an example how you can use this hook.

                        function execute_on_get_meta_type_metadata_event($value, $object_id, $meta_key, $single, $meta_type){
                           //You can write code here to be executed when this action occurs in WordPress. Use the parameters received in the function arguments & implement the required additional custom functionality according to your website requirements.
                           
                        }
                        // add the action
                        add_action( "get_meta_type_metadata", "execute_on_get_meta_type_metadata_event" , 10, 5);

To remove a hook callback, use the example below.

remove_action( "get_meta_type_metadata", "execute_on_get_meta_type_metadata_event", 10, 5 );

Please make sure provide the same callback function name, priority and number of arguments while removing the hook callback.

Flipper Code is a Premium WordPress Plugins development company and integrating new functionalites into WordPress sites in form of custom WordPress Plugins since 2012. If you’re having any trouble using this hook, please contact our WordPress Development Team and we’d be happy to assist you.