Where are default field values for items typically defined in Sitecore?

Default field values for items in Sitecore are typically defined on the Template Standard Values item. Each template in Sitecore can have a corresponding Standard Values item that provides default values for the fields in the template. When a new item is created based on that template, it inherits the default values specified in its Standard Values.

Defining default values at the template level is advantageous because it promotes consistency across all items created from that template. For instance, if you want every new item of a particular type to have a specific title or set of tags, you can set those in the Standard Values. If changes are required, updating the Standard Values will propagate those changes to all items, streamlining the content management process.

In contrast, field values defined on the Item Definition or directly within the Content Item do not reflect a standard approach. Item Definitions are more about the structure and type of fields rather than their values, while values set directly on a Content Item override the Standard Values rather than define them. The Media Library is used for storing media assets and doesn’t play a role in defining default field values for items.