API Update: Bulk Operations Group Objects Default Changed to False

API Update: Bulk Operations Group Objects Default Changed to False

Shopify Updates: 

Introduction

Starting with API Version 2026-01, we have introduced updates to bulk operations that enhance performance and reliability. This change restructures output for faster processing and reduced timeouts, helping developers handle large datasets more effectively.

What’s Changed

Bulk Queries

The groupObjects argument now defaults to false. This new default setting simplifies the result structure to improve processing speed and minimize the chance of timeouts. Previously, grouping objects often slowed operations and increased the likelihood of failures.

Bulk Mutations

The groupObjects argument has been removed entirely. Results now always align with the order of input rows. This change simplifies the correlation between output responses and the original data.

What You Need to Do

For Bulk Queries

  • If you rely on grouped output: Set groupObjects to true to maintain the nested structure. For example:
mutation { 
bulkOperationRunQuery( 
  query: """ 
  { products { edges { node { id title } } } } 
""" 
groupObjects: true # Add this to maintain grouped output
) { bulkOperation { id status } userErrors { field message } }
}
  • If grouped output is not necessary: No action is required. Queries will run faster by default.

For Bulk Mutations

  • If you were using groupObjects: true: Remove the argument from your mutation call. Results will now directly align with your input rows.
  • If you weren't using groupObjects: No changes are required. Mutations will continue functioning with improved reliability.

Why This Change Was Made

Most apps do not require grouped output, and the overhead it causes can severely impact performance. By defaulting to flat structures, these updates provide faster and more predictable results that are easier to process at scale.

For bulk queries, enable groupObjects only if nested output is essential. For bulk mutations, results matching input order simplifies your ability to track successes or failures.

Learn More

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