How to use is_protected_meta filter in WordPress

is_protected_meta filter

Filters whether a meta key is considered protected. To use is_protected_meta filter, first, you have to register it using add_filter. You can write this code into functions.php of your activated theme or in a custom WordPress Plugin. At WePlugins, it’s always better to create a custom WordPress Plugin while using hooks so nothing breaks when you update your WordPress Theme in the future.

In the live examples, we have defined a function modify_is_protected_meta_defaults which takes 3 parameters and we registered using add_filter. The first parameter is_protected_meta is the name of the hook, the second parameter modify_is_protected_meta_defaults is the name of the function that needs to be called, the third parameter is the priority of calling the hook if the same hook is used multiple times, and the last parameter is the number of arguments (if any) to be passed in the registered function.

Sometimes, you have to remove a registered hook, so you can use remove_filter to remove is_protected_meta filter.

Parameters

Below are the 3 parameters required to use this hook.

• $protected: (bool) Whether the key is considered protected.
• $meta_key: (string) Metadata 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.

Example 1: Basic Usage

Here’s a basic example of how you can use this hook to protect specific meta keys.

    function weplugins_my_meta_is_protected_meta( $protected, $meta_key, $meta_type ) {
        switch ($meta_key) {
            case 'my_first_meta':
                $protected = true;
                break;
            case 'my_second_meta':
                $protected = true;
                break;
        }
        return $protected;
    }
    add_filter( 'is_protected_meta', 'weplugins_my_meta_is_protected_meta', 10, 3 );
    

Example 2: Custom Functionality

Modify the $protected variable according to your website requirements and return this variable. You can modify it conditionally too if you want.

    function weplugins_modify_is_protected_meta_defaults($protected, $meta_key, $meta_type) { 
        // Custom logic here
        return $protected; 
    }
    add_filter( "is_protected_meta", "weplugins_modify_is_protected_meta_defaults", 10, 3 );
    

Example 3: Removing a Hook

To remove a hook callback, use the example below. Ensure you provide the same callback function name, priority, and number of arguments while removing the hook callback.

    remove_filter( "is_protected_meta", "weplugins_modify_is_protected_meta_defaults", 10, 3 );
    

Contact Us

If you’re having any trouble using this hook or need customization, please contact us. We’d be happy to assist you.