> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uselayers.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Product missing from a filter

> Find out why a product doesn't appear when a shopper selects a filter value, starting with where the filter's data comes from.

A filter only includes a product when the product carries that value in the data the filter is built from. When a product is missing from a filter, the cause is almost always the product's data, not the filter.

## Where a filter's values come from

Layers builds every filter from an [attribute](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/attributes.md). An attribute reads one piece of Shopify data, such as:

* A **tag**, for example every tag that starts with `color:`
* A **metafield** on the product or variant, such as a material or fit field
* A **metaobject** that a metafield references, such as a color family
* A **Shopify field**, such as product type, vendor, or a variant option like size

To see which data a filter uses, go to **Attributes**, search for the filter's name, and open the attribute.

## Checklist

**1. Check the product's data in Shopify**

Open the product in Shopify and confirm it has the value the filter reads. A product tagged `long sleeve` doesn't match a filter built from a sleeve-length metafield, and a product without the value never appears under it.

**2. Check that Layers has the latest data**

Open the product under **Catalog** → **Products** and confirm the value appears there. If it doesn't, resync the product. See [Catalog sync](https://docs.uselayers.com/shopify-integration/catalog-sync.md).

**3. Check grouped and hidden values**

If the filter groups values, for example **Black** includes "Jet" and "Onyx", the product's value must be in the group. If its value is hidden, the product won't appear under it. See [Group facet values](https://docs.uselayers.com/help/advanced-merchandising/facet-grouping.md) and [Hide facet values](https://docs.uselayers.com/help/advanced-merchandising/facet-hiding.md).

Use [View the products behind a facet value](https://docs.uselayers.com/help/advanced-merchandising/facet-value-products.md) to see which products Layers counts for a value.

**4. Check variant-level combinations**

Layers matches filters built from variant data, such as color and size options, against individual variants. When a shopper selects **Black** and **Medium**, a product only matches if one variant is both black and medium. A product with a black small and a white medium doesn't appear. See [Filtering](https://docs.uselayers.com/engine/filtering.md).

If your store hides out-of-stock products or variants, the matching variant must also be available. See [Out-of-stock product visibility](https://docs.uselayers.com/help/configuration/configure-search-behavior.md#out-of-stock-product-visibility).

**5. Check whether the product is hidden**

Products hidden by a [hidden products](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/hidden-products.md) rule, an excluded tag, or market availability don't appear in any filter.

## A whole filter is missing

* **The filter was just turned on.** A new filter appears once Layers finishes preparing its values. Check the icon in the **Filter** column on **Attributes**. See [When a facet goes live](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/facets.md#when-a-facet-goes-live).
* **Layers turned it off.** Layers automatically turns off filters with nearly one product per value, such as SKUs. See [Facets with too many distinct values](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/facets.md#facets-with-too-many-distinct-values).
* **Your theme uses Shopify's filter picker.** The attribute also needs **Enable as Storefront Facet** turned on, and the filter must be added in your theme. See [Enable as storefront facet](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/attributes/attribute-options.md#enable-as-storefront-facet).

## Next steps

* [Filters and facets](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/facets.md)
* [Catalog attributes](https://docs.uselayers.com/platform/attributes/catalog-attributes.md)