Matching Serialized Arrays with meta_query

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I’ve asked a related question previously, but I think I’ve finally worked out the crux of my issue.

I’m using Advanced Custom Fields and have a number of custom fields attached to my post type. I’m trying to alter the URL to receive posts via their custom field and value.

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And I’m getting really close. This is what’s currently in my functions.php: 

add_action('pre_get_posts', 'my_pre_get_posts');

function my_pre_get_posts( $query ) {
    if( is_admin() ) { return; }

    $meta_query = $query->get('meta_query'); // get original meta query

        if( isset($_GET['type']) ) {                        

        $type = '"' . $_GET['type'] . '"';      

        $meta_query[] = array(
            'key'       => 'type',
            'value'     => $type,
            'compare'   => 'LIKE',
        );
    }
    $query->set('meta_query', $meta_query); // update the meta query args
    return; // always return
}

Now because ACF uses serialized arrays when dealing with multiple values in custom fields, I’m using the LIKE query. The type custom field actually accepts multiple values, and I’m able to display posts by one type (i.e: women) successfully.

website.com?type=women

But when trying to retrieve multiple types (i.e: women,men,boys), this doesn’t work.

website.com?type=women,men,boys

Now I realise I’m working with serialized arrays here, and if I wanted it to query multiple type‘s I’d have to explode that $type variable, but that doesn’t seem to be working either.

If anyone can help, I’m desperate for a solution. Thanks!

EDIT | Multiple times for each type: 

$meta_query[] = array(
    'relation'  => 'OR',
    array( 
        'key'       => 'type',
        'value'     => 'men',
    ),
    array( 
        'key'       => 'type',
        'value'     => 'women',
    ),
    array( 
        'key'       => 'type',
        'value'     => 'boys',
    ),
);
Post Views: 8

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2 comments

  1. I just figured out myself how to do it

    Take a look at this example:

    $args = array();
$args['relation'] = 'OR';
foreach ( $tag_ids as $t ) {
    $args[] = array(
        'key'     => 'afz_entry_tags',
        'value'   => serialize( strval( $t->id ) ),
        'compare' => 'LIKE'
    );
}

$query->set( 'meta_query', $args );

    I am getting $tag_ids with a normal get_results.

    Then i create the first item of the array for meta_query in order to define the OR i need.

    Then i iterate through the collection of objects i received from get_results and create as many arrays for the meta_query as i need.

    It works like a charm.

  2. LIKE does not take array value. Your options probably are:

    1. Add meta query for each type, might not play well since you are already appending this stuff and would need OR clause.
    2. Use REGEXP compare and glue multiple types into regular expression, might be seriously slow to run.

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