Does Shopify have built-in product reviews?

Shopify doesn't include product reviews by default. You need to install a review app from the Shopify App Store. Popular options include Shopify's free Product Reviews app, Judge.me, Loox, and Yotpo.

How do I add reviews to my Shopify store?

Install a review app from the Shopify App Store, then configure where reviews appear (product pages, collection pages). Most apps add review widgets automatically, though some themes require manual integration.

Should I moderate product reviews?

Yes, review moderation is recommended. Remove spam, inappropriate content, and reviews for wrong products. However, don't delete legitimate negative reviews—instead, respond professionally to show you care about customer feedback.

Do product reviews help SEO?

Yes, reviews provide fresh, user-generated content with natural keywords. Review apps can also add structured data (schema markup) that enables star ratings to appear in Google search results, potentially improving click-through rates.

Shopify Product Reviews: Setup and Management Guide

Product reviews build trust and help customers make purchase decisions. They provide social proof that your products deliver on their promises. Since Shopify doesn't include reviews by default, you'll need to install a review app. This guide covers how to set up and manage reviews effectively.

Why Product Reviews Matter

Build trust: Reviews from real customers increase credibility
Increase conversions: Products with reviews convert better than those without
Improve SEO: User-generated content adds keywords and freshness
Reduce returns: Accurate expectations lead to fewer disappointments
Gather feedback: Learn what customers love and what needs improvement

Popular Review Apps

Shopify Product Reviews (Free)

Basic review functionality
Simple setup and integration
Good for stores just starting out

Judge.me

Free and paid plans
Photo and video reviews
Review request emails
Rich snippets for SEO

Loox

Focus on photo reviews
Visual review galleries
Referral program integration

Yotpo

Enterprise-level features
Q&A functionality
Loyalty program integration

Setting Up Reviews

Go to the Shopify App Store
Search for a review app
Install and configure the app
Choose where reviews appear (product pages, collection pages)
Customize the review widget's appearance
Set up review request emails

OS 2.0 themes (Dawn, Refresh, etc.): Most review apps add an app block you can position in the theme editor under Product page > Add block. Older vintage themes may require manual Liquid code insertion.

Collecting Reviews

Automated Review Requests

Most review apps send emails asking customers to leave reviews:

Timing: Send after delivery (7-14 days post-purchase)
Personalization: Include the customer's name and product purchased
Simplicity: Make leaving a review as easy as possible
Incentives: Consider offering discount codes for reviews (disclose this)

Photo and Video Reviews

Visual reviews are more compelling:

Enable photo/video uploads in your review app
Offer extra incentives for visual reviews
Feature the best visual reviews prominently

Managing Reviews

Moderation

Review incoming reviews before publishing:

Remove spam and fake reviews
Filter inappropriate language
Verify reviews are for the correct product

Don't delete legitimate negative reviews—they add credibility.

Responding to Reviews

Positive reviews: Thank the customer
Negative reviews: Apologize, offer solutions, take conversation offline
Questions in reviews: Provide helpful answers

Reviews and Collections

Use review data to inform your collection strategy:

Best-reviewed products: Create a "Top Rated" collection
Staff picks: Feature products your team loves
Sort by rating: Some apps let you sort collection products by review score

Highlight Top Products: AWSM Collections can help you create collections based on various criteria, making it easy to showcase your best-reviewed products alongside your other automated collections.

Reviews and SEO

Reviews can improve your search engine visibility:

Rich Snippets

Star ratings can appear in Google search results
Review apps add structured data (schema markup) automatically
Stars in search results can improve click-through rates

User-Generated Content

Reviews add fresh content to product pages
Customers use natural language and keywords
More content gives search engines more to index

Learn more about Shopify SEO.

Displaying Reviews

Product Pages

Star rating near the product title
Full reviews below product description
Review count showing social proof

Collection Pages

Star ratings on product cards
Review counts visible in grid view

Home Page

Featured reviews widget
Testimonials section
Photo review gallery

Handling Negative Reviews

Respond quickly: Show you're attentive to feedback
Acknowledge the issue: Don't be defensive
Offer a solution: Replacement, refund, or other resolution
Take it offline: Provide contact details for follow-up
Learn from it: Use feedback to improve products or descriptions

Best Practices

Use Shopify's email timing: Judge.me and Loox can sync with Shopify fulfillment data to send review requests after delivery, not just after purchase
Enable photo reviews: Photo reviews convert 2-3x better than text-only — Judge.me, Loox, and Yotpo all support them on free tiers
Add review schema markup: Most review apps inject Product schema with aggregateRating automatically — verify in Google's Rich Results Test
Display stars on collection pages: Configure your review app to show star ratings on product cards in collection grids, not just on product pages
Import existing reviews: If migrating from another platform, Judge.me and Yotpo support CSV review imports

Conclusion

Product reviews are essential for building trust and increasing conversions. Choose a review app that fits your needs, make it easy for customers to leave reviews, and respond professionally to all feedback. Reviews not only help other customers but provide valuable insights for improving your products and service.