How To Import Reviews Into Shopify

Introduction

Getting reviews into Shopify quickly builds trust, lifts conversions, and gives new visitors the social proof they need to buy. Yet many merchants struggle with messy export files, mismatched product handles, and missing photos — and the process often feels like adding another tool to an already crowded stack.

Short answer: You can import reviews into Shopify either by using a CSV import workflow or by using a review import tool that handles exports, media, and mapping for you. The right method depends on where your reviews live, whether you need photos or videos preserved, and how much manual cleanup you're willing to do. For many merchants, a single retention platform that combines review import, display, and post-purchase automation is the fastest, most reliable path.

In this post we’ll walk through every practical option for moving reviews into Shopify. We’ll explain file formats, step-by-step CSV preparation, how to preserve photos and videos, how to map reviews to products, and how to avoid common mistakes that break imports. We’ll also cover post-import opportunities: schema for SEO, moderation workflows, how to use reviews inside loyalty flows, and how to automate review collection going forward.

Our thesis is simple: importing reviews is a technical task but it’s also a strategic one. Done right, reviews become a growth lever that fuels retention, increases lifetime value, and reduces the need for multiple standalone solutions. As a merchant-first retention partner trusted by 15,000+ brands with a 4.8-star Shopify rating, we build for long-term growth and less tech friction — a single platform can replace many disconnected tools, giving merchants more growth and less stack.

You can compare Growave plans to find the level of review features that match your store and goals (compare Growave plans).

Why Import Reviews Into Shopify

Bringing reviews into your storefront is more than a cosmetic update. Reviews influence search rankings, increase conversion rates, and become content you can reuse across email, ads, and social media.

Business outcomes of importing reviews

Reviews support measurable business goals:

• Increase conversion rates by showing social proof and product validation to undecided shoppers.
• Improve SEO and organic discovery when review snippets are marked up with structured data.
• Reduce churn and returns by setting clearer expectations (detailed reviews with photos help customers buy the right variation).
• Fuel loyalty and referrals by rewarding reviewers and turning satisfied customers into brand advocates.
• Drive UGC and content that powers paid and organic channels.

Why not rely only on on-platform reviews?

Reviews left on marketplaces are valuable, but they don’t automatically live on your Shopify store. Migrating them helps consolidate your reputation, keeps product pages lively, and ensures reviews remain visible even if you close a marketplace store. Consolidation also reduces fragmentation — one place to moderate, display, and analyze customer feedback.

Common Sources of Reviews

Understanding where reviews come from determines how you’ll export them and what format you’ll work with.

• Marketplaces (Amazon, eBay): often require scraping or marketplace-native export tools; photos may need special handling.
• E-commerce platforms (Etsy, AliExpress, Shopee): may offer export to CSV or JSON; some require third-party tools.
• Existing Shopify stores: reviews may be in a previous review solution’s export or in a backup CSV.
• Third-party review sites and widgets: these often allow exports or have browser extensions to pull content.
• Email or internal records: sometimes reviews are stored in support tickets, emails, or spreadsheets.

Each source comes with trade-offs: some exports include timestamps, star ratings, and reviewer names, while others omit images or use nonstandard fields. We’ll cover how to standardize the most common formats.

Overview of Import Methods

There are practical options to import reviews into Shopify. We’ll compare them so you can pick the best path.

• Manual CSV import into Shopify’s review system or into a review solution that accepts CSVs.
• Using a review import solution to automate exports, map products, and sync media.
• Browser extensions that extract reviews from public pages and push them into Shopify.
• API-based migrations for high-volume or programmatic transfers.
• Hybrid flow: automated import for the bulk and manual edits for exceptions.

Each method has pros and cons. Manual CSV gives control but is labor-intensive. A review import solution reduces manual work and preserves photos/videos but may require configuration. API migrations are powerful but need technical resources.

Preparing Reviews for Import

Before importing, clean and standardize data. A clean dataset avoids errors, duplicates, and broken image links.

Export from the source

• Look for CSV or JSON export functionality in the original platform.
• If no export option exists, consider a browser-based importer or an automated extraction tool that respects terms of service.
• For marketplaces that limit exports, capture review pages and use a scraper that outputs CSV/JSON.

Standardize fields you’ll need

Most importers expect consistent field names. Prepare a CSV with these common columns:

• product_handle or product_sku (how reviews will map to the Shopify product)
• reviewer_name
• reviewer_email (optional but helpful for verification)
• rating (numeric)
• title (optional)
• body (review text)
• created_at (date)
• review_image_urls (one or more image URLs)
• review_video_urls (if supported)
• verified_purchase (optional)
• source (original platform, for traceability)

Consistent encoding (UTF-8) and date formats (ISO 8601 or yyyy-mm-dd) reduce parsing errors.

Mapping products: handle vs. SKU vs. ID

Shopify identifies products using handles or IDs. Most import tools accept product handles (the human-readable slug in the product URL) or SKUs. If your source uses a different identifier, you’ll need to create a mapping table that links source IDs to Shopify handles.

Keep this mapping in a separate sheet or file for traceability.

Handling images and media

Images should be publicly accessible URLs at import time. If your export contains only relative paths or embedded images, host them on a stable CDN or in product image libraries so the importer can fetch them.

If your source images are not available, import will often succeed but without media — losing photo reviews reduces impact.

CSV Import: Step-By-Step

CSV import is the most common self-service route. Below is a detailed practical workflow merchants can apply.

Step A — Export reviews from the source

• Export reviews in CSV/JSON format if available.
• If JSON, convert to CSV using a script (Node/Python) or an online converter, ensuring fields align.

Step B — Create your master import CSV

• Open the exported file and create the required columns described earlier.
• Normalize rating values to a single scale (1–5).
• Ensure each row has a valid product handle or SKU that exists in Shopify.
• Remove duplicate reviews and sanitize HTML from review bodies if necessary.

Step C — Fix common formatting issues

• Ensure date fields use a consistent format.
• Remove stray commas or line breaks that can break CSV parsing (wrap complex text fields in double quotes).
• Save as UTF-8.

Step D — Host images and verify URLs

• Verify all image URLs return a 200 status in a browser.
• If images are on a source that blocks hotlinking, upload them to an image host and update URLs.

Step E — Choose import destination

You can import into:

• Shopify’s native review system if you use a review solution that supports Shopify’s product review import format.
• A review and UGC platform that accepts CSVs and provides widgets and moderation tools.

If using a retention platform that provides review import and display features, the platform often handles mapping, media hosting, and schema markup, reducing errors.

Step F — Run a small test import

• Import a few reviews for one product first.
• Check that dates, reviewer names, ratings, and images appear correctly.
• Verify the storefront displays the new reviews and that structured data appears in page source.

Step G — Full import and verification

• Import the full CSV.
• Spot-check multiple products and edge cases.
• Keep the original CSV and a log of any rows that failed to import.

Using a Review Import Solution (Faster, Fewer Headaches)

For many merchants, using a platform that imports reviews automatically saves hours and preserves photos and videos. These solutions typically offer:

• Direct import from marketplaces and other platforms.
• Automated product mapping based on SKU, handle, title, or manual match.
• Media handling, downloading images and hosting them, or linking them properly.
• Moderation and migration logs.
• Widgets that render reviews on product pages and collections.
• Structured data inserted automatically for SEO benefits.

If you’re evaluating a review import solution, test these capabilities:

• Bulk import speed and reliability for thousands of reviews.
• Preservation of review timestamps and reviewer names.
• Image and video import support.
• Moderation workflows and the ability to hide/manually approve reviews.
• Widget flexibility and design controls to match your theme.
• Integration with loyalty and referral features so you can reward reviewers.

Our review collection and display tools support media-rich reviews and make it possible to import and showcase reviews while keeping moderation and rewards in one place; explore our review tools to see how this works (review collection tools).

Dealing With JSON Exports (Etsy and Others)

Etsy and some platforms export JSON rather than CSV. JSON exports often contain nested objects for images, product IDs, and metadata.

Recommended approach:

• Use a simple script (Python’s pandas or Node’s json2csv) to flatten JSON into CSV.
• Extract nested fields (for example, image URLs) and concatenate them into a single CSV column separated by semicolons if the importer supports multiple image URLs.
• Ensure the produced CSV has standard header names expected by your importer.

If scripting isn’t comfortable, a review import solution will handle JSON conversions and mapping automatically.

Preserving Photos and Videos

Photo and video reviews are highly valuable, but they complicate import.

• Confirm the importer supports multiple media types.
• Ensure image URLs are permanent and accessible.
• For videos hosted on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, include the public video URL. Some review platforms will embed the video, while others may require a thumbnail and link.
• If reviews have private image URLs on the original platform, download them and re-host on a public CDN before import.

After import, verify that media displays properly on product pages and that mobile rendering is optimized.

Moderation and Duplicate Management

Imported reviews sometimes include duplicates or low-quality content. Implement a moderation workflow:

• Decide whether to auto-publish or hold for review. Many merchants auto-publish for speed but enable manual takedown for flagged content.
• Use filters to remove spammy reviews (for instance, those with external links).
• Tag imported reviews with a source field for traceability.
• Build a small moderation team or assign review moderation to a trusted partner.

Handling duplicates:

• Match on reviewer name + date + product handle to detect duplicates.
• Some platforms provide deduplication settings that prevent repeat imports from the same source.

Structured Data And SEO

To ensure reviews help SEO, surface structured data (schema.org review and aggregateRating properties) on product pages.

• Platforms that render reviews often inject JSON-LD with the required review fields and aggregate rating.
• If you import reviews into a solution that doesn’t add structured data, consider adding JSON-LD snippets to product templates to include review counts and ratings.
• Validate structured data in Google’s Rich Results Test after importing to confirm markup is correct.

Proper schema increases the chance review stars appear in search results, boosting click-through rates and organic traffic.

Displaying Reviews on Shopify

Placement and presentation affect impact.

• Product pages: the primary location. Show average rating and top reviews above the fold where possible.
• Collection pages: show rating badges to aid comparison shopping.
• Search results and category filters: allow shoppers to filter by rating.
• Homepage and landing pages: surface curated reviews for social proof.
• Popups and sidebars: use sparingly to avoid disrupting UX.

Design tips:

• Prioritize photo reviews in the gallery or as thumbnails.
• Show reviewer location or verified purchase badges to build trust.
• Keep review excerpts short with a “read more” option to preserve layout.

A unified platform that handles review display along with loyalty and referrals reduces the number of disparate tools we maintain while presenting reviews consistently across touchpoints.

Mapping Reviews to the Right Product

Mapping is often the biggest source of import errors.

Best practices:

• Use product_handle whenever possible, because handles are stable in Shopify URLs.
• If migrating SKUs, verify that Shopify SKUs are unique and match the source exactly.
• For ambiguous product titles, manual mapping may be necessary — import solutions often give an interface to confirm mappings.
• Keep a mapping file as documentation for future imports or audits.

If a product handle changes post-import, reviews will no longer appear. Consider mapping on product ID if you plan structural changes.

Legal And Permission Considerations

When importing reviews, respect legal and platform rules.

• Ensure you have permission to republish a review and its media. Most customers implicitly grant permission when they post publicly, but marketplace terms can be restrictive.
• Avoid importing reviews that include personal data you don’t have the right to republish (sensitive information).
• For photo and video reuse beyond the product page (for ads, social posts), notify or re-request permission from customers when practical.
• Maintain a log of sources and consent for compliance and auditing.

Troubleshooting Common Import Problems

Here are frequent issues and how to fix them.

• Import fails due to encoding errors: save CSV as UTF-8, remove or replace special characters.
• Images don’t display: check image URLs are public, not blocked by hotlink protection.
• Reviews map to wrong products: re-run mapping using handles, or manually correct a subset and re-import.
• Duplicate reviews appear: enable deduplication, or run a cleanup script removing exact matches by reviewer and timestamp.
• Rate limits or API errors: pace imports for large datasets or use a platform with built-in retry logic.

Keep a rollback plan — if an import introduces many errors, revert by removing the newly added reviews and re-importing after fixes.

Post-Import Opportunities: Turn Reviews Into Growth

Importing reviews is step one. Next, use them to increase retention and monetization.

Reward reviewers and increase LTV

Incentivize review authors with points or discounts to encourage repeat purchase and advocacy. Our loyalty solution integrates with review collection so you can reward reviews automatically and keep customers engaged (reward customers).

Use reviews to trigger flows

• Welcome flows: show top-rated products with photo reviews to new subscribers.
• Abandoned cart flows: include a compelling photo review to overcome hesitation.
• Post-purchase flows: send review request emails and offer loyalty points for user-generated photos.

Leverage reviews in product feeds and ads

Use high-performing photo reviews as creative in paid ads and social posts. Embed verified ratings into dynamic product ads to lift ad relevance and performance.

Collect more UGC

After import, launch campaigns to collect more photo and video reviews. Offer loyalty points, discounts, or small perks. Make it easy: direct links in emails, a mobile-friendly upload workflow, and clear instructions.

Our review tools are built to collect new reviews and to display imported content alongside fresh UGC, creating a continuous feedback loop that reduces friction and increases retention (review collection tools).

Integrating Reviews With Loyalty, Wishlists, And Referrals

The long-term value of reviews multiplies when they’re connected to other retention features.

• Loyalty & Rewards: reward customers for leaving reviews, uploading photos, or for having their review selected as featured content.
• Referrals: feature customers with high-contribution reviews in referral campaigns to increase social proof.
• Wishlists: show number of reviews and star ratings to wishlist items to encourage return visits.

Using a single retention platform that combines reviews with loyalty and referrals means fewer integrations, consistent customer profiles, and more powerful cross-feature automation. That’s the essence of our "More Growth, Less Stack" philosophy.

Migration Checklist

Use this checklist to keep your review migration organized.

• Export all reviews from source platforms.
• Normalize data fields and encoding.
• Host any images/videos that aren’t public.
• Build a product mapping file (source ID → Shopify handle).
• Choose import destination (Shopify-compatible review system or review import solution).
• Test with a small set of reviews including images.
• Import in batches and monitor logs.
• Verify structured data and front-end display.
• Set up ongoing review collection and reward flows.
• Keep backups of original exports.

This workflow helps avoid common pitfalls and preserves the value of your review content.

When To Use An API Migration

If you have thousands of reviews or need a repeatable migration process, an API-based migration is efficient.

• APIs can handle large volumes and provide progress feedback.
• They support retries on failures and can be integrated into deployment pipelines.
• API migrations require development resources but pay off in repeatability.

For most merchants, a review import solution removes the need for custom API work and still handles large volumes with reliability.

Cost, Time, And Resource Considerations

Time and effort vary based on the source and volume.

• Small stores (tens to a few hundred reviews): CSV import or browser-based importers may be quickest.
• Medium stores (hundreds to low thousands): a migration tool that auto-maps products and preserves media is faster and safer.
• High-volume stores (thousands+): consider staged imports, API migration, or professional migration support.

Using a single retention platform that includes reviews, loyalty, and referrals reduces the long-term maintenance cost of multiple integrations and provides better value for money by consolidating features into one ecosystem.

Case-Specific Notes (Practical Tips)

• Etsy → Shopify: Etsy often provides JSON exports. Convert JSON to CSV and map product handles. If you close an Etsy store, exporting reviews preserves your social proof on Shopify.
• Amazon/marketplaces: these sometimes block direct export; use a reputable migration tool or a browser extension that captures public review pages and maps them correctly.
• AliExpress and dropship sources: reviews may be numerous but variable in quality; filter by rating or content length before import to avoid low-impact reviews.

In every case, prioritize preserving photos if possible. Photo reviews have outsized impact on conversion.

Measuring Success After Import

Track these metrics to evaluate the import’s impact:

• Conversion rate on product pages before vs. after import.
• Average order value and repeat purchase rate for products with new reviews.
• Review collection velocity: are imported reviews followed by more organic UGC?
• SEO performance: impressions and clicks from product pages (monitor structured data visibility).
• Engagement with review-related flows (email open/click rates for review request emails).

Use A/B tests to see how different review presentations affect conversions, especially for products with few reviews initially.

How Growave Fits Into Your Review Migration Strategy

We believe retention should be the growth engine, not another point solution. Our retention suite brings together review import and display with loyalty, wishlists, referrals, and shoppable UGC — reducing the number of platforms merchants need to manage.

• We handle review imports with media support and straightforward mapping so merchants avoid manual cleanup.
• Reviews are displayed with SEO-friendly structured data to improve visibility.
• Reviews tie directly into loyalty and referral flows so you can reward reviewers and turn them into repeat buyers.
• With a single retention solution, merchants get unified customer profiles, simpler automations, and less operational overhead.

If you want to check how our plans align with your migration needs, see pricing and plan details (see pricing and features). You can also install Growave on your store directly from the Shopify listing to explore features hands-on (install Growave on Shopify).

Migration Timeline: A Practical Example Schedule

This timeline is a practical plan you can adapt based on store size.

• Day 1–2: Export reviews and inventory existing review sources.
• Day 3–5: Normalize CSV/JSON, host media, and build product mapping.
• Day 6: Run test import for a subset of SKUs and verify rendering and schema.
• Day 7–8: Full import in batches, verify, and fix exceptions.
• Day 9: Set up moderation rules and archive migration logs.
• Day 10–14: Launch review-driven email flows and reward campaigns to collect new UGC.

This phased approach reduces risk and gives time to fix edge cases.

Common Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

Avoid these traps that slow migrations down.

• Not testing a small subset first: always run a pilot import to catch mapping issues early.
• Forgetting image hosting: verify that all images are accessible from the import destination.
• Failing to preserve timestamps: losing review dates can harm trust and SEO.
• Not backing up original exports: keep a raw copy of all exports in case you need to retry.
• Overlooking legal permissions: review reuse can have platform-specific constraints.

A clear process mitigates these issues and keeps migration on schedule.

Conclusion

Importing reviews into Shopify is a technical step with strategic consequences. A clean import preserves star ratings, photos, and reviewer trust; it improves SEO, lifts conversions, and feeds retention programs that increase lifetime value. For merchants trying to do more with less, a unified retention solution that handles review import, display, and loyalty provides better value for money and eliminates the friction of juggling multiple tools.

If you’re ready to consolidate reviews, unlock better automation, and start turning reviews into repeat customers, explore Growave’s plans and start your 14-day free trial today. (see pricing and features)

FAQ

How do I map reviews to products if the source uses different IDs?

Create a mapping file linking source product IDs to Shopify handles or SKUs. Many review import tools let you upload this mapping or match products automatically based on product title similarity.

Can I import photo and video reviews?

Yes — if the importer supports media. Ensure images and videos are hosted on public URLs. Platforms that handle media will either host the files or link to them for display.

Will importing reviews add structured data for SEO?

Many review display solutions inject JSON-LD structured data for reviews and aggregate ratings. If your importer doesn’t, you should add appropriate review schema to your product templates or use a solution that does.

What if reviews import with duplicates or spam?

Use deduplication settings during import and set up moderation rules to filter spammy content. Tag imported reviews with their source so you can audit and remove duplicates efficiently.

We build for merchants, not investors — a stable partner that helps you turn retention into a growth engine while reducing the number of platforms you need to manage. If you want to see how review migration works inside a unified retention suite, you can install Growave on Shopify and try it out (install Growave on Shopify).