MetaMagic has always been built around one goal: generate accurate IPTC metadata quickly, without turning every photo into a prompt-writing exercise. The built-in prompt still does that work for you. But some shoots need something more specific — a different language, a client vocabulary, a particular subject emphasis, or a final check before existing Lightroom metadata is replaced.
That is what these two new features are for: Special AI Instructions and Metadata Review. They add control without changing the normal MetaMagic workflow.
1. Special AI Instructions: add your own guidance
Special AI Instructions let you add a short custom instruction on top of MetaMagic's existing prompt. Your text does not replace the built-in MetaMagic prompt, output rules or metadata structure — it is extra guidance for the current workflow.
This makes the feature useful for much more than changing writing style. You can use it to control language, emphasize details that matter to your client, or tell the AI to pay particular attention to a specialist subject.
Generate all keywords in Italian.Write the title and caption in German, but keep keywords in English.Prioritize architectural details and building materials.Identify visible bird species and include the common and scientific name.Use concise editorial language and avoid promotional adjectives.Focus the keywords on hiking, alpine landscape and outdoor travel.
Keywords in the language you need
One of the simplest uses is multilingual keywording. Instead of changing MetaMagic's core rules, just tell it what language you need for that batch. For example, Generate all keywords in Italian. You can also split languages by field — for example, title and caption in German while keeping keywords in English.
This is especially useful for photographers working with local archives, regional clients, multilingual publications or different stock workflows.
Temporary instruction or permanent workflow
In the MetaMagic Control Center you can choose how the instruction is used:
- ▸ Ask before each generation — ideal when the instruction changes from shoot to shoot.
- ▸ Apply to all future generations — keep the same instruction active until you change or disable it.
Your Control Center settings are saved to your MetaMagic account and synchronized automatically when a generation starts. There is no extra manual sync step in the normal workflow.
2. Metadata Review: see the result before Lightroom is changed
Sometimes a photo already has a useful title, caption or carefully curated keywords. Metadata Review adds a safer workflow: generate first, compare, decide, then write the approved result.
You can choose between three modes:
Compare current vs generated metadata
The Review page shows the photo preview together with the current Lightroom value and the new MetaMagic result. Title and caption can be kept or replaced, and the generated text can be edited before approval.
For keywords you have more control: keep the current keywords, keep current + add MetaMagic, or replace them with the MetaMagic result. This is particularly useful when your existing catalog already contains people names, internal project tags or manually curated terms that should not disappear.
Photo previews make batch review faster
Review includes a lightweight photo preview and thumbnails for the batch, so you can confirm the image while checking its metadata. MetaMagic uses a small review JPEG rather than the original RAW file.
Review does not cost another credit
The AI generation consumes the normal credit. Opening Review, comparing values, editing the generated text and choosing Keep / Merge / Replace do not consume an additional credit.
Why these two features work well together
Special AI Instructions let you steer the result before generation. Metadata Review lets you verify it afterwards. A wildlife photographer can ask MetaMagic to identify species and include scientific names, then review only photos where existing keywords would be replaced. An architectural photographer can prioritize materials and design details. A local archive can request keywords in its preferred language.
Generate all keywords in Italian and prioritize architectural details.MetaMagic still follows its normal IPTC rules, but the additional instruction guides the generated keywords. With Review set to Conflicts only, photos without conflicting metadata continue automatically while only the photos that need a decision are opened for review.
Where to find the new settings
Open MetaMagic in Lightroom Classic and launch the MetaMagic Control Center. Under Settings you will find Special AI Instructions and Metadata Review. Save your choices there and then start generation normally from Lightroom.
The goal is simple: keep the fast workflow when you want it, and add precision only when you need it.