Catalogs & Metadata Add-ons (Detailed Guide)
Why This Layer Matters
If stream results are the “engine”, catalogs and metadata are the “dashboard”. A clean metadata layer gives you:
- Better title matching
- Better posters/backgrounds
- Better language/regional relevance
- Fewer duplicate or misleading entries
Catalog Add-ons vs Metadata Add-ons
Catalog add-ons:
- Provide structured lists
- Improve browsing and discovery routes
- Help organize by genre, provider, or language
Metadata add-ons:
- Improve title identity (name, year, cast)
- Improve visual quality (posters/backdrops)
- Improve context (ratings, synopsis)
Recommended Build Order
- Start with default catalog behavior.
- Add one metadata enhancement source.
- Validate search and poster consistency.
- Add additional catalogs only if they solve a real discovery problem.
Tip
More metadata sources are not always better. Overlap can create clutter and conflicting results.
Language and Regional Strategy
For multilingual households:
- Set primary language at app level first.
- Prefer metadata sources with strong localization support.
- Keep one fallback source for niche titles.
When the same title appears with wrong language/poster:
- Re-check regional settings
- Remove duplicate metadata sources
- Rebuild cache and test again
Common Failure Modes
- Wrong poster due to title/year mismatch
- Duplicate tiles from overlapping catalogs
- Slow discovery page because too many catalog sources are queried
Practical Maintenance Rules
- Keep only metadata sources you can explain.
- Audit quarterly: remove unused catalog feeds.
- Re-test after major Stremio updates.