Semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures represent an appealing class of materials to be applied as efficient electrodes in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting and in photovoltaics. In article number 1700706, Isabella Concina, Zafar Hussain Ibupoto, and Alberto Vomiero review the latest achievements in the field, illustrating how the structural and functional properties of metal oxides and metal oxide composites can be optimized for targeted applications.