1. A method of using a database system for providing a reference to a content object in a user interface, the method comprising: processing, using the database system, data identifying a content object stored in a data repository external to the database system; storing or maintaining the data using a persistent object in a database of the database system, the persistent object including a reference to the content object; determining a graphical type for the content object from the data, wherein the determining the graphical type includes identifying a graphical type assigned to the content object from a set of predetermined graphical types for content objects according to the metadata of the content object; generating one or more graphical representations, wherein the generating the one or more graphical representations depends upon the determined graphical type for the content object, the graphical representations comprising one or more user-actionable visual components configured to select the content object; publishing the persistent object in an information feed within a social layer of the database service, wherein publishing the persistent object includes causing display of the one or more graphical representations in the user interface in the information feed on a display of a device in association with the reference to the content object; receiving input from the device, the input comprising interaction with the one or more graphical representations in the information feed; and providing access to the content object within the information feed from the device via the persistent object.