diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 25d9c341..21e7d525 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -190,6 +190,28 @@ vars:
   dbt_artifacts_exclude_all_results: true
 ```
 
+### Skipping manifest dataset upload
+
+By default, every invocation uploads both the execution results (`model_execution`, `seed_executions`, `test_executions`, `snapshot_executions`) and project's manifest datasets (`models`, `seeds`, `snapshots`, `sources`, `tests`, `exposures`). Because manifest datasets are re-inserted on every run, the underlying tables can grow quickly on routine or scheduled runs.
+
+The manifest datasets usually change only when the project code changes, so you can skip uploading them on routine runs and upload them only when code is merged, for example during the build step in CI.
+
+To skip manifest dataset upload, set the `dbt_artifacts_upload_manifest` variable to `false`:
+
+```yml
+# dbt_project.yml
+vars:
+  dbt_artifacts_upload_manifest: false
+```
+
+When `false`, only `invocations` and the execution datasets are uploaded. `invocations` is always uploaded regardless of this setting, as it is the parent record that execution rows reference.
+
+Override it to `true` on runs where you want the full project metadata refreshed:
+
+```sh
+dbt build --vars '{"dbt_artifacts_upload_manifest": true}'
+```
+
 ## Upgrading from 1.x to >=2.0.0
 
 If you were using the following variables:
diff --git a/macros/upload_results/upload_results.sql b/macros/upload_results/upload_results.sql
index 114a667d..7bf34562 100644
--- a/macros/upload_results/upload_results.sql
+++ b/macros/upload_results/upload_results.sql
@@ -4,7 +4,14 @@
 
     {% if execute %}
 
-        {% set datasets_to_load = ['exposures', 'seeds', 'snapshots', 'invocations', 'sources', 'tests', 'models'] %}
+        {% set upload_manifest = var('dbt_artifacts_upload_manifest', true) %}
+
+        {% set datasets_to_load = ['invocations'] %}
+
+        {% if upload_manifest %}
+            {% set datasets_to_load = ['exposures', 'seeds', 'snapshots', 'sources', 'tests', 'models'] + datasets_to_load %}
+        {% endif %}
+
         {% if results != [] %}
             {# When executing, and results are available, then upload the results #}
             {% set datasets_to_load = ['model_executions', 'seed_executions', 'test_executions', 'snapshot_executions'] + datasets_to_load %}