How to Add Product Reviews in Shopify

Introduction

Customer reviews are one of the most powerful conversion levers in e-commerce. Stores that surface authentic feedback see stronger trust signals, better organic visibility, and measurable lifts in average order value and repeat purchases. But many merchants struggle with setup, design, or the ongoing process of collecting and managing reviews — especially when they’re juggling multiple retention solutions and feeling app fatigue.

Short answer: Adding product reviews in Shopify can be done several ways — using Shopify’s built-in review functionality, embedding review widgets via your theme, importing reviews from other sources, or using a unified retention platform that combines reviews with loyalty, referrals, and UGC for maximum impact. Each method has trade-offs between speed, customization, and long-term value.

In this post we’ll walk through every practical option for how to add product reviews in Shopify, explain when to choose each approach, and share actionable setup, display, and growth strategies that help turn reviews into a true retention engine. We’ll connect these tactics to a unified retention approach — More Growth, Less Stack — so you can get better value for money and avoid tool sprawl as your store scales. If you want to see plan options for a single platform that includes reviews, loyalty, referrals, and more, you can explore our plans here: see our pricing plans.

Our main message: product reviews are a retention-first growth tool — when implemented thoughtfully they improve conversion, increase lifetime value, and feed other retention channels like loyalty and email.

Why Product Reviews Matter for Shopify Stores

Reviews Drive Trust and Purchase Confidence

Reviews provide third-party validation. When shoppers read real opinions from other buyers they reduce perceived risk and feel more confident checking out. That confidence translates directly to higher conversion rates and fewer returns.

• Reviews increase the trustworthiness of product descriptions and highlight real-world usage.
• Visual reviews (photos and videos) amplify credibility by showing the product in context.
• Reviews that answer common concerns reduce customer support friction and cart abandonment.

Reviews Improve SEO and Organic Traffic

User-generated content continuously refreshes product pages with unique copy and long-tail keywords that shoppers use when searching. That natural language can help product pages rank for queries the original product description might not cover.

• Review content expands keyword coverage and supports long-tail visibility.
• Structured review markup (schema) enables star ratings in search results, boosting click-through rates.

Reviews Feed Retention and Growth Loops

Reviews don’t just impact single purchases. They become assets that feed other retention channels.

• Highlighting reviews in email campaigns increases open and conversion rates.
• Rewarding reviewers through a loyalty program encourages repeat engagement.
• Reviews that include images can be repurposed as social proof on product pages, homepage features, and shoppable galleries.

Reviews Help Improve Products and Reduce Returns

Reviews are direct feedback. They reveal product fit issues, common misunderstandings, and opportunities for improvement.

• Analyzing reviews can guide product updates, sizing changes, or clarifications in copy.
• Addressing frequently raised issues reduces returns and refund requests.

Overview of Review Options on Shopify

Before we go into setup steps, it helps to understand the landscape and the trade-offs of each approach.

Shopify’s Built-In Product Reviews

Shopify offers a native product reviews solution that is simple to enable and free to use. It works well for basic use cases:

• Easy setup through Shopify admin and theme sections.
• Lightweight and fast.
• Great when you want quick star-and-text reviews without a lot of customization.

Limitations to keep in mind:

• Minimal features for photo or video reviews.
• Limited email automation and collection flows.
• Basic display and moderation capabilities.

Theme-Based Review Widgets (Manual or Code-Based)

Many merchants prefer to add custom review blocks directly in their theme or edit Liquid templates to control placement and style.

• Offers total design control and can display ratings in unique places like collection pages.
• Requires familiarity with Shopify theme code (Liquid, HTML, CSS).
• Useful for developers or stores with specific UI needs.

Potential downsides:

• Maintenance overhead with theme updates.
• Building collection-level star displays or advanced filters often requires more code.

Third-Party Review Functionality Inside a Unified Retention Platform

A retention platform that includes Reviews & UGC alongside loyalty and referral features gives a compounded benefit: reviews are collected and displayed by the same system that rewards reviewers and promotes repeat purchases.

• Built-in ways to incentivize reviews with loyalty points.
• Stronger UGC features (photo/video reviews, moderated galleries).
• Seamless integrations with email, loyalty, and social features — fewer tools to stitch together.

This is where a merchant-first, single platform approach shines: you replace 5–7 separate platforms with one cohesive solution that saves time and increases effectiveness. Learn more about combining reviews with loyalty and rewards through our reviews product page: Reviews and UGC features.

How to Add Product Reviews in Shopify — Methods and Setup

We’ll break this into clear, actionable approaches. For each approach we’ll describe the steps, pros, cons, and recommended use cases.

Method A — Enable Shopify’s Native Product Reviews (Fastest)

When to use this: you want a no-cost, quick way to show star ratings and basic reviews without adding extra complexity.

How it works and what to do:

• Access Shopify admin and go to Online Store > Themes.
• Click Customize on your active theme.
• Open the product page template and look for a block or section for reviews (some themes include a built-in Reviews block).
• If your theme doesn’t include one, you can add Shopify’s Product Reviews through the Shopify admin by enabling “Product reviews” in Sales channels or by adding the Product Reviews snippet to your theme code.

What you’ll get:

• Simple star ratings and text reviews on product pages.
• Basic admin moderation tools.

Limitations and tips:

• No native photo/video uploads.
• Collection page rating displays require additional theme edits.
• If you want to use a review-driven retention strategy (e.g., reward reviewers with loyalty points), this approach will require additional tools or manual work.

Method B — Add Reviews by Editing Theme Code (Full Control)

When to use this: you need custom placement, unique styling, or collection-level rating displays and you have developer resources.

Key actions:

• Open Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit code.
• Insert or modify the review snippet in the product.liquid (or appropriate product template).
• To display average rating on collection pages, add a Liquid snippet that calculates and outputs the product’s rating field alongside product cards.
• Add structured data (JSON-LD) with review schema so search engines can show rich snippets.

What this enables:

• Custom layouts and placement (e.g., tabs, side-by-side review cards).
• Custom review filters like “most helpful” or “verified purchases”.
• Displaying good vs. critical reviews in distinct cards using Liquid conditional logic.

Developer considerations:

• Ensure theme performance stays fast — heavy review widgets can slow page loads.
• Test on mobile devices and across browsers.
• Maintain code across theme updates; use a child theme or document changes for future developers.

Method C — Use a Unified Retention Platform’s Reviews Feature (Recommended for Growth)

When to use this: you want richer UGC, automated collection, built-in incentives, moderation tools, and deeper integration with loyalty and referrals — all from a single platform that reduces stack complexity.

What to expect from a platform approach:

• Photo and video reviews collected via email or on-site prompts.
• Automated post-purchase review requests with schedule controls and smart reminders.
• Ability to reward reviewers through loyalty points automatically.
• Moderation workflows and UGC galleries that can be repurposed across your site and marketing channels.

How to add reviews using a retention platform:

• Install the platform from the Shopify App Store listing and connect it to your store. You can find the listing here: install from the Shopify App Store.
• Configure the Reviews & UGC module in the platform dashboard to match your brand language and moderation rules.
• Set up automated review request emails and SMS messages that trigger after purchase.
• Customize the review widget and drag it into place with your theme’s section editor or via the platform’s integration tools.
• Link the review collection to your loyalty program so reviewers earn points automatically (learn more about creating a loyalty and rewards program here: loyalty and rewards program).

Why this is often the best choice:

• You replace multiple platforms by using one solution that includes reviews, loyalty, referrals, wishlists, and shoppable social features.
• Less maintenance and better data consistency between programs.
• Stronger ROI because every review can be tied to a retention flow (e.g., points, referral invites, UGC reuse).

We’re trusted by 15,000+ brands and maintain a 4.8-star rating on the Shopify App Store, which reflects our focus on building solutions merchants actually use and rely on.

Method D — Importing Existing Reviews (Migrations & Aggregation)

When to use this: you’re migrating to Shopify or consolidating reviews from marketplaces (Amazon, AliExpress) or other platforms.

Options and steps:

• Export reviews from your current platform into CSV format if supported.
• Use the import functionality inside the review solution you choose. Many review platforms support importing CSV files that include reviewer name, rating, date, text, and image URLs.
• For large-scale imports, ensure the import mapping matches Shopify’s or your chosen platform’s schema.
• After import, reindex or resync product handles and SKUs so reviews attach to the correct products.

Considerations:

• Verify licensing and permissions to republish reviews, especially if they originated on other marketplaces.
• Cleanse data to remove duplicates and outdated reviews.
• Use imported reviews to seed initial social proof and then focus on collecting fresh reviews over time.

Step-By-Step: Adding Reviews Using a Retention Platform (Practical Walkthrough)

Below is a clear workflow for adding product reviews using a retention platform that bundles Reviews & UGC with loyalty and other retention features. This flow covers installation, configuration, collection, display, and optimization.

Installation and Initial Setup

• Locate the platform in the Shopify App Store and install it via your admin. You can visit our Shopify listing here: our Shopify App Store listing.
• Follow the guided onboarding to connect your store. This typically authenticates via your Shopify admin and sets up a basic integration.
• Choose your plan and start your free trial. If you want to compare plan options, see our pricing plans.

Configure the Reviews Module

• Open the platform dashboard and find Reviews & UGC.
• Set brand voice and moderation preferences: auto-approve, manual moderation, or hybrid workflows.
• Configure who can leave a review: any email, verified purchasers only, or customers with loyalty status.
• Enable photo and video uploads if you plan to collect visual social proof.

Create Automated Review Requests

• Design the review request email template and customize timing (for example, 7–14 days after delivery).
• Add optional incentives via your loyalty program — reward points for reviews or extra points for photo/video reviews.
• Create reminder flows that nudge customers who don’t respond.

Linking reviews to rewards increases participation and deepens retention: see how a loyalty and rewards program can work with reviews here: loyalty and rewards program.

Place and Style the Review Widget

• Use the platform’s theme integration or the Shopify theme editor to drop the review widget into your product pages.
• Preview mobile and desktop placements to ensure the widget is unobtrusive but visible.
• Consider adding summary star ratings near the add-to-cart area, and a full review feed below the product description.

Set Up Moderation and UGC Galleries

• Enable moderation rules to automatically flag reviews containing profanity or images that fail guidelines.
• Create a UGC gallery that surfaces photo reviews across product pages, landing pages, and homepage sections.
• Tag high-quality visual reviews for reuse in marketing campaigns.

Measure and Iterate

• Track metrics such as review submission rate, conversion lift on pages with reviews, photo review rate, and changes in return rate or product QA issues.
• Use the platform’s analytics to identify products with zero reviews and target them with promotional requests or loyalty incentives.
• Test different email subject lines, timing, and incentive levels to increase participation.

Where to Place Reviews for Maximum Impact

Placement matters. The right combination of visibility and context drives both conversion and SEO.

High-Impact Locations

• Above-the-fold near the add-to-cart button: a quick star summary reassures buyers.
• Below the product description: a full review feed and visual gallery for shoppers who want details.
• Collection pages and search results: showing average star ratings next to items helps comparison and discovery.
• Homepage and category landing pages: featured reviews and best-rated product widgets support discovery and trust.

Strategic Display Choices

• Use a summary bar with average rating, total reviews, and a small photo carousel.
• Add review badges for top-rated products.
• Include filters for “with photos” and “verified buyers” to help customers find the most reliable reviews.

If you want to show average ratings on collection pages without complex theme updates, a retention platform’s widget often offers an easier path than custom code. This keeps you faster to market and avoids code maintenance overhead.

Collecting More and Better Reviews

Collecting reviews requires consistent processes and thoughtful incentives. Avoid spammy tactics; focus on authentic feedback.

Timing and Triggers

• Send the first review request after customers have had time to receive and use the product (often 7–14 days after delivery).
• Send a polite reminder if there’s no response after a set window.
• Use multiple channels: email as primary, SMS for opt-ins, and on-site prompts for returning customers.

Incentives That Work Without Biasing Reviews

• Offer loyalty points for reviews, not discounts for positive reviews. This preserves authenticity while rewarding participation.
• Provide bonus points for photo or video reviews to encourage UGC.
• Run limited-time campaigns encouraging reviews (e.g., extra points for reviews submitted within two weeks of purchase).

Integrating reviews with a loyalty program simplifies incentive management and keeps all rewards in one place: learn how loyalty and reviews can work together here: loyalty and rewards program.

Ask the Right Questions

• Prompt customers to comment on product fit, durability, and use cases.
• Include optional fields for pros and cons, which makes negative feedback constructive and actionable.
• Offer a simple rating scale and optional photo upload to reduce friction.

On-Site Prompts and Micro-Interactions

• Use exit-intent modals or post-purchase thank-you pages to invite quick feedback.
• Add a “Rate your purchase” widget in account order history pages for logged-in customers.
• Offer one-click star ratings embedded in transactional emails with a follow-up form for details.

Displaying Reviews for Trust and SEO

Technical configuration matters for visibility and rich snippets.

Structured Data and Rich Snippets

• Add review schema (JSON-LD) to product pages so search engines can show star ratings in search results.
• Ensure schema reflects aggregated rating, review count, and sample reviews.
• Use your platform’s built-in schema support or add it via theme code if necessary.

Showcasing Visual Reviews

• Prioritize photo and video reviews in galleries and hero sections.
• Label UGC clearly with reviewer names and dates.
• Combine visual reviews with user stories or concise captions for context.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Don’t hide low ratings entirely. Transparent displays build trust; show average plus a range of opinions.
• Avoid over-optimizing snippets to the point of misrepresenting review counts or recency.
• Keep moderation transparent — indicate when a review is edited or an admin response is present.

Managing Negative Reviews: Policies, Responses, and Opportunity

Negative reviews are inevitable. How you respond matters more than avoiding them.

A Response Framework

• Acknowledge: start by acknowledging the reviewer’s experience.
• Empathize: show understanding of their frustration.
• Offer solution: propose a practical next step (refund, replacement, troubleshooting).
• Invite offline resolution: give a clear channel for follow-up to avoid a prolonged public thread.

Internal Processes

• Flag recurring product issues across multiple reviews to drive product improvements.
• Track themes in negative reviews — sizing, packaging, shipping times — and measure changes after fixes.
• Use negative reviews as content for FAQ improvements and enhanced product descriptions.

Moderation Policies

• Have clear moderation guidelines: no removal for negative opinions unless they violate content rules.
• Disclose moderated edits and reasons when changes occur.
• Preserve authenticity to keep trust high.

Advanced Review Strategies That Drive Retention

Leveraging reviews creatively unlocks compounding growth.

Reward Reviewers with Loyalty Points

• Automatically award points for text reviews and bonus points for photo/video submissions.
• Use tier-based rewards to encourage frequent contributors.
• Convert high-quality review contributors into brand advocates and early access testers.

Growave’s platform lets you connect reviews and loyalty so rewards are granted automatically and recorded in one place: loyalty and rewards program.

Turn Reviews into Shoppable UGC

• Transform photo reviews into shoppable galleries where clicking a photo links to the product page.
• Use UGC sliders on collection pages featuring real customers to increase engagement.

Use Reviews in Retargeting and Email

• Include snippets of positive reviews in cart abandonment emails.
• Highlight recent photo reviews in post-purchase nurture campaigns.
• Segment customers who left positive reviews for referral invitations or early access.

Build Review-Driven Referral Loops

• Ask satisfied reviewers to refer friends in exchange for points or discounts.
• Use a combined reviews + referrals approach to increase both conversion and customer acquisition rate.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Here are frequent issues merchants face and how to resolve them.

Reviews Not Showing After Installation

• Check that the review widget code is present in the active product template.
• Ensure product handles match between the review system and Shopify so reviews attach to the right items.
• Clear caches and test in an incognito window.

Photo Uploads Fail or Are Low Quality

• Verify file size and format limits in review settings.
• Encourage mobile uploads and provide guidance in the review form for optimal photos.
• Offer bonus points for well-lit images to motivate higher-quality submissions.

Duplicate or Spam Reviews

• Enable moderation filters for spam keywords and suspicious activity.
• Add CAPTCHA to on-site review forms.
• Use verification flags (verified purchase) to highlight trustworthy reviews.

Reviews Affecting Page Speed

• Use deferred or asynchronous loading for review widgets to prevent blocking page render.
• Load full review feeds below-the-fold while showing a cached summary above the fold.

Measuring Success: KPIs for Product Reviews

Track these metrics to see the real impact of your review strategy.

• Review submission rate (reviews per order).
• Photo/video submission rate (percentage of reviews that include media).
• Conversion lift on pages with reviews vs. without.
• Average order value change after review collection.
• Repeat purchase rate and customer lifetime value for customers who left reviews.
• Average rating and distribution by product.

Use integrated analytics in your retention platform to correlate reviews with loyalty behavior and referrals for a more holistic view.

Keeping Reviews Compliant and Trustworthy

Follow best practices to avoid legal or policy issues.

• Do not solicit only positive reviews. Incentives should reward honest feedback, not positivity.
• Clearly disclose when reviews are incentivized (e.g., “Reviewers received points”).
• Respect reviewer privacy and consent for republishing images or names.
• Follow platform policies if importing reviews from marketplaces — ensure permission to republish.

When to Use a Unified Retention Platform vs. Point Solutions

Choosing between single-purpose review tools and a platform that covers reviews plus loyalty, referrals, wishlists, and shoppable social depends on your goals.

Pros of point solutions:

• Highly specialized features in one area.
• Fast to set up for a single use case.

Pros of a unified retention platform:

• Removes the need to manage multiple integrations — More Growth, Less Stack.
• Better data cohesion and cross-program automation (reviews -> rewards -> referrals).
• Better value for money when you consider replacing several tools with one platform.

If you’re scaling and want retention to become a growth engine, a unified approach tends to produce stronger, compounding results. Compare feature sets and plans to find the right fit: see our pricing plans.

Final Checklist: Launching Reviews That Actually Move the Needle

Before you go live, run through this checklist to ensure your reviews program is effective:

• Review collection is automated and timed to product delivery.
• Photo and video uploads are enabled with clear guidelines.
• Moderation rules are configured for authenticity.
• Review widgets are visible in high-impact placements.
• Points and incentives are linked to your loyalty program.
• Structured data is added for rich snippets.
• Reporting is set up to measure conversion and retention impact.

Conclusion

Product reviews are a foundational retention tool for Shopify merchants. When implemented thoughtfully — with attention to collection timing, display placement, incentives, and moderation — reviews build trust, improve SEO, and feed other retention channels like loyalty and referrals. For merchants who want to avoid tool sprawl and extract more value from every review, using a unified retention platform that includes Reviews & UGC alongside loyalty and referrals offers a powerful way to turn reviews into sustainable growth.

If you’re ready to combine reviews with loyalty, referrals, and shoppable social features in one merchant-first platform, explore our plans and start your 14-day free trial today: explore plans and start your free trial.

FAQ

How do I add reviews to Shopify without code?

You can enable Shopify’s native product reviews if your theme includes a reviews block, or use a retention platform that provides a widget you can place via the theme editor. Installing the platform from the Shopify App Store is often the fastest no-code route: our Shopify App Store listing.

Can I import reviews from other marketplaces?

Yes — many review solutions support CSV imports and can map reviews to Shopify product handles. Ensure you have permission to republish reviews and clean up duplicates before import.

How can I encourage customers to leave photo or video reviews?

Use incentives like loyalty points for photo/video submissions, keep the form simple, and send well-timed email or SMS requests after delivery. Visual reviews can be highlighted in galleries to show customers the value of contributing.

Will adding reviews hurt my site speed?

Not if you implement best practices. Use deferred loading for heavy widgets, serve cropped thumbnails for galleries, and leverage CDN-delivered assets. A retention platform often includes optimized widgets that minimize performance impact.

For merchants who want reviews, loyalty, referrals, and shoppable UGC all working together to increase retention and lifetime value, we help simplify the stack and deliver measurable results. If you’d like a live walkthrough, you can request a personalized demo here: book a demo.