How to Enable Reviews on Shopify

Introduction

Customer reviews do more than add stars to a product page — they drive trust, improve SEO, and lift conversions. Merchants who make reviews visible and easy to leave see stronger buyer confidence and ongoing engagement, which turns one-time shoppers into repeat customers.

Short answer: Enabling reviews on Shopify requires two parts — a review collection and display solution, and the placement and automation to encourage customers to leave feedback. You can enable reviews directly through your theme and Shopify admin, but the fastest, most scalable path is to use a unified retention platform that collects, moderates, displays, and leverages reviews as part of your loyalty and referral strategy. If you want to explore flexible plans for a single platform that replaces multiple tools, you can compare our plans and start a 14-day free trial.

In this article we’ll cover everything merchants need to know about how to enable reviews on Shopify: the trade-offs between methods, step-by-step instructions for setup, how to collect photo and video reviews, best places to show reviews, rich snippets and SEO, moderation and compliance, ways to automate review requests, and how to measure impact. We’ll also explain how a unified retention platform helps you avoid “platform fatigue” and delivers more growth with less stack.

Our main message: reviews are a retention lever. When you enable reviews correctly and connect them to loyalty and post-purchase workflows, you don’t just get social proof — you build a long-term growth engine.

Why Reviews Matter for Shopify Stores

Reviews Drive Conversions and Trust

Customer reviews are social proof in action. Shoppers rely on other buyers’ experiences to assess product quality, fit, and value. Higher review counts and positive ratings reduce purchase hesitation and lift conversion rates. Reviews also reduce returns by setting clearer expectations.

• Reviews provide real-world context that product descriptions can’t.
• Visual reviews (photos and videos) increase perceived authenticity.
• Even a handful of reviews per product can dramatically raise buyer confidence.

Reviews Improve Search Visibility

Search engines favor fresh, user-generated content. Reviews add long-tail keywords, unique descriptions, and frequent updates to product pages, which helps pages rank for queries shoppers actually type into search engines.

• Reviews increase content volume and relevance on product pages.
• Star ratings and structured data can earn rich snippets, increasing click-through rates in search results.

Reviews Inform Product Decisions and Reduce Churn

Beyond marketing and SEO, reviews are a feedback loop. They highlight product issues, reveal opportunities for product improvements, and identify top-performing SKUs. When you respond to reviews — especially negative ones — you show potential customers that you care, which builds brand loyalty.

Reviews Power Cross-Channel Content

Reviews and user-generated content (UGC) are flexible. You can surface them in emails, ads, social posts, product pages, and loyalty communications. When reviews are tied to a broader retention suite, they fuel other tactics such as loyalty rewards and referral incentives.

Options for Enabling Reviews on Shopify

When merchants ask how to enable reviews on Shopify, they usually evaluate multiple paths. Each option has pros and cons depending on technical comfort, customization needs, and growth strategy.

Native Theme Integration (Shopify Admin)

Many themes support a reviews section that can be enabled from the Shopify admin. This method is simple and requires no external systems.

Benefits:

• Quick to enable for basic star and text reviews.
• No additional subscription overhead.
• Works well for stores that need essential functionality.

Limitations:

• Often limited to basic text and star ratings.
• May lack photo/video uploads, moderation workflows, or automated review requests.
• Less flexible for advanced display or syndication.

Install From the Shopify App Store

Installing a dedicated review solution from the Shopify App Store provides more features: photo and video uploads, automated review requests, import/export tools, and advanced widgets.

Benefits:

• Richer feature set for collecting and displaying UGC.
• Built-in automation for review solicitation.
• Typically includes CSV import and migration tools.

Limitations:

• Multiple solutions can create platform fatigue and integration headaches.
• Different tools may not integrate seamlessly with loyalty programs or email flows.

You can install Growave from the Shopify App Store to centralize reviews within a broader retention suite that also includes loyalty, referrals, wishlists, and shoppable social features.

Consolidated Retention Platform

A unified retention platform brings reviews, loyalty, referrals, and UGC into a single solution. Instead of managing separate tools, you get a coordinated system that amplifies reviews through reward-driven collection, automated post-purchase flows, and cross-channel displays.

Benefits:

• Replaces multiple tools, reducing complexity and integration gaps.
• Enables rewards for review actions and ties reviews into your retention lifecycle.
• Easier to manage moderation, analytics, and schema markup for SEO.

Limitations:

• Requires choosing one strategic partner, which is an advantage if you want less stack and more growth.

At Growave we built our retention suite to deliver exactly that: more growth, less stack. We’re trusted by 15,000+ brands and hold a 4.8-star rating on Shopify, reflecting our merchant-first approach and commitment to long-term partnership.

How to Enable Reviews on Shopify — Practical Steps

Below we walk through practical, step-by-step ways to enable reviews on Shopify, from the simplest native approach to the most scalable, platform-driven setup.

Preparing Before You Enable Reviews

Before you enable reviews, clarify goals and resources. Ask:

• What types of reviews do we want (text-only, star ratings, photos, videos)?
• Do we need automated review requests and follow-ups?
• Will we reward customers for leaving reviews?
• How will reviews be moderated and displayed?
• Do we want structured data for rich snippets?

Answering these helps choose the right solution and plan the store changes.

Enabling Reviews Through Shopify Admin

If you want to start quickly with minimal friction, enable the reviews block in your theme:

• Open your Shopify admin and navigate to Online Store > Themes.
• Click Customize for the active theme.
• Navigate to the product page template where you want reviews shown.
• Add a section or block and look for the reviews option in the Apps or Sections list.
• Place the reviews block in the desired spot on the page and save.

If the reviews option isn’t visible, your theme may not include a built-in reviews block and you’ll need to use a platform-based solution or add code manually.

Installing a Review Solution From the Shopify App Store

For advanced features, install a reviews solution from the Shopify App Store. Search and select a platform that fits your needs, then install it and follow the provider’s setup instructions in the Shopify admin. If you want an integrated retention suite that also includes loyalty and referrals, you can install Growave on Shopify and set up the reviews widget inside the platform.

Setting Up a Consolidated Retention Platform (Recommended for Growth)

To enable reviews in a way that scales with your growth and reduces tech clutter, choose a retention platform that includes a dedicated reviews product module. With a single integration you’ll gain:

• Reviews widget for product pages with photo and video uploads.
• Automated post-purchase review request emails and SMS.
• Moderation tools and response workflows.
• Native connections to loyalty and referral programs for incentives.

To get started with a retention platform, connect via the Shopify App Store or explore plan options on our site. If you want to compare plans before installing, explore our pricing and features.

Importing Existing Reviews

If you have reviews from other sources (CSV, marketplaces), import them into your chosen solution to preserve social proof. Most review platforms and unified retention suites support CSV import or marketplace migration utilities.

• Export your existing reviews into a CSV with product handles, ratings, review text, reviewer name, date, and any images.
• Use the import tool provided by the review solution to map fields and upload.
• Verify formatting and run a test import to ensure reviews display correctly.

Adding Photo and Video Reviews

Photo and video reviews are more persuasive than text alone. When enabling reviews, ensure the solution supports media uploads and storage, and that media is shown prominently on product pages and in galleries.

• Encourage customers to add images by highlighting examples in review request emails.
• Offer incentives via loyalty points for uploading media, without making incentives a condition of positive reviews.
• Optimize uploaded images for web performance to avoid slow page loads.

Best Practices for Review Collection

Enabling reviews is only half the work — you must collect meaningful reviews at scale in ways that respect policies and maintain authenticity.

Automate Post-Purchase Review Requests

Automated review solicitation increases response rates and reduces manual work. Key elements:

• Timing: Send the first review request when customers have had time to use the product. This period depends on product type — consumables may be sooner, while durable goods may take longer.
• Multiple Touchpoints: Use email and SMS follow-ups with clear CTAs that lead straight to the review form.
• Personalization: Mention the purchased product and include order details so customers feel the message is relevant.
• Simplicity: Keep the process short; allow one-click ratings and simple text fields.

When you combine automated review requests with rewards, participation increases. Growave integrates review requests with loyalty so you can automatically credit points for review submission, driving higher review volume without managing separate systems. Learn more about how we help merchants collect social proof through our reviews and UGC solution.

Offer Rewards Ethically

Offering rewards for reviews can increase volume, but compliance matters. Avoid tying rewards to positive reviews only. Instead, provide a baseline incentive for leaving any honest feedback and disclose incentives clearly.

• Reward the action of leaving a review — not the sentiment.
• Disclose rewards in the review request message.
• Use loyalty points that are redeemable site-wide, which encourages long-term engagement.

Growave’s loyalty system lets you reward customers for leaving reviews without fragmenting your stack, ensuring a simple, compliant workflow. See how to reward returning customers and tie actions into your retention flows.

Make Leaving Reviews Easy

Reduce friction to increase completion:

• Use mobile-friendly forms.
• Support one-click star ratings.
• Allow optional photo/video uploads.
• Offer an anonymous or name-only option to protect privacy.

Ask the Right Questions

A better review form yields more useful content for future customers. Include optional structured prompts in addition to free text, such as:

• How would you rate the product fit?
• Was packaging satisfactory?
• Would you recommend this product?

These micro-questions create scannable review snippets and help you identify product issues quickly.

Encourage Visual UGC

Visual content is persuasive. Ask for photos and videos, and offer specific prompts like “Show how you use this product” to inspire submissions. Highlight top visual reviews in product galleries and social feeds for maximum impact.

Best Practices for Displaying Reviews

Placement and design impact how much value reviews deliver.

Product Page Placement

Place reviews where shoppers will see them during the buying decision:

• Near the product title and price for immediate social proof.
• In a dedicated reviews tab or section for longer feedback.
• In a visual gallery for photo/video reviews.

Avoid burying reviews below the fold or deep inside a long page where shoppers may not scroll.

Use Snippets and Highlights

Pull positive quotes and star averages into concise highlights that appear near the "Add to Cart" or "Buy" actions. Short, persuasive snippets reduce friction and provide quick reassurance.

Show Review Distribution

Displaying a star distribution chart helps shoppers read nuance — not every product needs a perfect 5-star average to be trusted. A transparent distribution signal authenticity.

Leverage Review Filtering and Sorting

Allow shoppers to filter reviews by rating, keyword, image presence, or use case. This helps visitors find relevant feedback more quickly and improves conversion.

Surface Reviews Across the Store

Extend the reach of reviews by showing ratings in collection pages, search results, and promotional blocks. This broad exposure increases the likelihood reviews influence purchase decisions.

Rich Snippets and Structured Data

Structured data enables search engines to display star ratings and review counts in search results, improving click-through rates. Most review solutions include automatic schema generation, but if you’re adding reviews via theme code, ensure you include proper JSON-LD or microdata markup.

• Include product name, SKU, aggregateRating, review count, and sample reviews.
• Verify markup using search engine testing tools.
• Keep markup up-to-date when you import or change review content.

If you use a retention platform like Growave, schema is typically handled automatically so you don’t have to manage code updates across multiple tools.

Moderation, Trust, and Compliance

Maintaining review authenticity and legal compliance is crucial.

Moderation Workflow

Set up moderation rules to remove spam and manage problematic content:

• Auto-flag reviews with prohibited words or suspicious patterns.
• Require manual approval for reviews with images or certain keywords.
• Respond publicly to negative reviews with empathy and remediation steps.

Authenticity and Transparency

Never fabricate reviews. Encourage honest feedback and document any incentives clearly. Authentic reviews build lasting trust; fake reviews damage reputation and can incur penalties.

Legal Requirements and Disclosures

Different regions have rules around incentivized reviews and consumer protection. Always disclose incentives and follow advertising and consumer-review regulations in your target markets.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

When merchants enable reviews on Shopify, some technical and operational issues commonly arise. Here’s how to diagnose and fix them.

Reviews Don’t Appear After Installation

Possible causes:

• The review widget wasn’t added to the active theme template.
• Theme caching or CDN delay.
• JavaScript conflicts with theme code.

Fixes:

• Confirm the widget is placed in the correct product template and saved.
• Clear caches and preview using an incognito window.
• If conflicts appear, enable a compatibility mode or reach out to your retention platform’s support team.

Duplicate Reviews After Import

When importing reviews, duplicates can happen due to mismatched product handles or repeated imports.

Fixes:

• Use unique identifiers (product handle, review ID) and run a dry import test.
• Remove duplicates via the platform’s moderation console or by cleaning the CSV before import.

Star Ratings Not Showing in Search

If structured data is not present or incorrect, search engines won’t display rich snippets.

Fixes:

• Verify your review solution generates proper schema.
• Check the product page markup using search console tools.
• If you manage schema manually, ensure JSON-LD aggregateRating is present and correct.

Measuring Review Impact

Track metrics that connect reviews to revenue and retention.

• Review volume over time (total reviews and percentage with images/videos).
• Average rating and rating distribution.
• Conversion rate lift on products with reviews versus those without.
• Click-through rates from rich snippets and search results.
• Repeat purchase rate for customers who left reviews.
• Cost per review (when using incentives) vs. lifetime value impact.

Use these KPIs to decide where to prioritize collection efforts, reward structures, and display optimization.

How Reviews Fit Into a Retention Strategy

Reviews shouldn’t just sit on a product page. When integrated into a retention system, they become a growth engine:

• Reward customers with loyalty points for leaving reviews, increasing participation and LTV.
• Use high-quality reviews as UGC for social campaigns and shoppable galleries.
• Combine referral programs with review incentives to amplify reach.

Because reviews drive trust and repeat purchases, connecting them to loyalty and referral mechanics multiplies their value. That’s why we designed Growave to manage reviews inside a wider retention ecosystem — so you get the full value of social proof without managing multiple point solutions. Learn how reviews interact with loyalty in our loyalty and rewards features.

Practical Templates and Examples

Here are concise templates you can use for review requests and on-site prompts. These are designed to be short, clear, and effective.

• Post-purchase email subject: "How’s your new [product name]? Share a quick review and earn points"
• On-site prompt near checkout: "Enjoyed your purchase? Leave a review and get [X] loyalty points"
• Review request SMS: "Thanks for your order of [product]. Tap to leave a quick review — it only takes a minute."

Pair these messages with an easy-to-complete review form and clear incentive disclosure.

Migration and Consolidation: Avoid Platform Fatigue

Many merchants end up with multiple small solutions: one tool for reviews, another for loyalty, another for referrals. This creates maintenance overhead and integration gaps. Consolidating reviews into a retention platform:

• Reduces vendor management and duplicate integrations.
• Ensures reviews can trigger loyalty points and referral rewards without extra engineering.
• Simplifies analytics by centralizing data.

If you’re considering consolidation, evaluate whether the platform supports review import, automated review requests, moderation, and direct connections to loyalty mechanics. Our retention suite centralizes review collection and connects it directly to rewards and referral workflows, which simplifies growth execution without sacrificing functionality. If you want to see how consolidation could reduce your stack while expanding capabilities, you can compare our plans and start a free trial.

Troubleshooting Checklist (Quick Reference)

• Verify the review widget is added to the correct product template.
• Ensure structured data is present for rich snippets.
• Configure automated review requests with appropriate timing.
• Test media uploads on product pages and review submission forms.
• Review moderation and duplicate import rules.
• Track impact metrics and iterate on communication and incentives.

FAQs

How long after purchase should I ask for a review?

Timing depends on product type. For fast-consumption items, ask within a week. For durable or more complex products, wait several weeks to allow customers to use the product. Test different timing windows and measure response rates.

Can I reward customers for leaving reviews?

Yes, but reward the action, not the sentiment. Offer loyalty points or small store credits for submitting an honest review and clearly disclose the incentive in your request message.

Will reviews hurt my SEO if they contain negative feedback?

No. Negative reviews are part of authenticity and often increase trust. They also help reduce returns by setting realistic expectations. Focus on responding to negative reviews constructively and use the feedback to improve products.

How do I show photo and video reviews on product pages?

Choose a solution that supports media uploads and widgets designed for galleries. Encourage customers to submit visuals in your review requests and reward them with loyalty points for doing so.

Conclusion

Enabling reviews on Shopify is a high-impact, low-friction way to build trust, improve SEO, and increase conversions. The best long-term approach is to use a unified retention platform that collects authentic reviews, automates solicitation, supports media uploads, and ties review actions directly into loyalty and referral programs. That approach eliminates platform fatigue, delivers better value for money, and turns reviews into a true growth lever.

Start your 14-day free trial of Growave and explore plans to enable reviews, loyalty, and referrals in one unified retention suite: explore our pricing and start your trial.