Generally the x um or y nm of a process refers to transistor dimensions (typically gate length), not metal. Minimum metal pitch is still a key dimension for the ability to build useful structures though, so advances like these are very useful.
Ironically, prior to 2008 the process name was backwards the other way, for example 130nm process usually has something like 70nm gates.
It’s always really just been a marketing thing anyway, since the possible density of a given logic unit in a given manufacturers process will differ due to a huge number of factors.