The Drupal ecosystem has always thrived on collaboration and innovation. In a move that underscores this ethos, the Custom Meta module has been merged into the Metatag module as a new submodule, metatag_custom_tags. This transition enhances Drupal’s meta tag management capabilities, offering site builders a more advanced and streamlined experience.
Custom Meta: A Quick Recap
Introduced by Morpht in September 2021, the Custom Meta module was designed to give Drupal site builders the power to create and manage custom meta tags without requiring custom code.
Key features of Custom Meta included:
- Meta Attribute Selection: Site builders could choose attributes like property, name, or http-equiv.
- Custom Tag Creation: Tags could be defined with a name, label, and description through an intuitive admin interface.
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly UI made managing custom meta tags a breeze.
This functionality was particularly valuable for personalization, SEO optimization, and advanced metadata scenarios.
Why the Merge?
The decision to merge Custom Meta into the Metatag module aligns with Drupal’s focus on modularity and ease of use. Metatag is a cornerstone of Drupal’s meta tag management system, and integrating Custom Meta’s functionality under its umbrella reduces redundancy while enhancing its feature set.
The new submodule, metatag_custom_tags, builds upon the original functionality of Custom Meta, delivering:
- Enhanced UI: A more robust and user-friendly interface for creating and managing custom tags.
- Seamless Integration: Full compatibility with Metatag’s core and other submodules.
- Future-Proofing: Ongoing updates and community support through the Metatag project.
End of Life (EOL) for Custom Meta
With the release of Metatag 2.1.0, the Custom Meta module will reach its End of Life timeline:
- Metatag 2.1.0 Release: The new metatag_custom_tags submodule becomes available, providing a superior alternative to Custom Meta.
- November 7, 2025: The Custom Meta module will be officially marked unsupported, a year after the release of Metatag 2.1.0.
Migration Challenges and Opportunities
It’s important to note that there is no direct migration path from Custom Meta to metatag_custom_tags. Site builders will need to re-create their custom meta tags manually from the admin UI provided by the new submodule.
While this may seem like an extra step, the advanced capabilities of metatag_custom_tags make it a worthwhile transition. The improved admin UI and expanded functionality provide a much better user experience compared to the original Custom Meta module.
Steps for Site Builders
If you’re currently using Custom Meta, here’s how to transition:
- Upgrade to Metatag 2.1.0: Ensure your site is running the latest version of Metatag to access the metatag_custom_tags submodule.
- Enable the metatag_custom_tags Submodule: Activate it through the module admin interface.
- Re-create Custom Tags: Use the enhanced UI to re-define your custom meta tags with more flexibility and precision.
- Uninstall the custom_meta module: Uninstall the Custom Meta module.
Embracing the Future of Meta Tag Management
The integration of Custom Meta into Metatag reflects Drupal’s commitment to evolving its tools for the betterment of its community. While Custom Meta served its purpose well, the new metatag_custom_tags submodule offers a more powerful and future-ready solution for site builders.
This change not only simplifies the meta tag ecosystem but also ensures that users have access to cutting-edge tools to meet their SEO and metadata needs.
For detailed documentation and updates, visit the Metatag project page. Embrace this transition and unlock the full potential of Drupal’s meta tag management!
