Should SEO for Shopify Stores Be Different?

If you’ve got a store running on Shopify, you’ve probably found yourself wondering: “Is SEO for Shopify Stores the same as it is for, say, a WordPress site?”

The answer? Kinda yes… kinda no.

While the general rules of SEO still apply—think content, keywords, backlinks—Shopify’s setup has its own quirks. Some limitations, some nice shortcuts, and a few weird little details that make it worth having a Shopify-specific game plan.

In a space as packed as ecommerce, standing out in search is no joke. And that’s where having solid Shopify SEO can really help.

We dug into some advice from the team over at Radiant, a Shopify agency that knows the platform inside and out—to get a feel for what store owners actually need to be thinking about.

So yeah, SEO for Shopify Stores has its own flavor. Let’s break down what makes it different—and what to focus on if you want your store to actually show up in search results.

How Is SEO for Shopify Stores Different?

It is absolutely necessary to keep up with SEO trends so as to not lose your store’s position in the search results and, in fact, even improve it.

When search engines change their algorithms and user habits change, it is necessary to change your SEO strategy to make sure your products are still visible.

The voice search optimization also allows you to get traffic from voice devices and virtual assistants.

For instance, according to the platform itself, Shopify has advised doing a few things. Two of them are:

• Concentrate on the natural, conversational sentences which are similar to the words people use when they speak, not when they type.
• To focus on the long-tail keywords that answer specific questions, like “Where can I buy eco-friendly yoga mats?”

This way, your content will be more in line with voice queries, which are usually longer and more question-based than typed searches.

The implementation of structured data is integrated into Shopify themes to give search engines a much better understanding of your content.

The themes automatically include schema markup for products, which enables rich snippets in search results.

This kind of visual wit in the search listings may show you the prices, reviews, and availability directly in the search results and might consequently increase the click-through rates and visibility.

So, how is SEO for Shopify Stores different? Here are a few things that you would need to know:

1. Shopify Uses a Fixed URL Structure

Shopify automatically adds folders to your URLs—like /products/, /collections/, and /pages/. It helps keep things tidy, but if you’re used to totally custom URLs, this might feel a little… limiting.

For example:  https://yourstore.com/collections/shoes/products/red-trainers

Totally valid URL. Google can read it just fine. But it’s not as neat or flexible as some folks might like—especially if you’ve worked with custom CMS setups.

So, what can you do in such cases? Work with what’s in your control. Clean up your handles (those last parts of the URLs) so they’re short and include keywords where it makes sense.

Also, be intentional with your internal links—help Google (and your shoppers) understand how your pages connect.

2. Duplicate Content Is a Real Thing Here

One weird thing Shopify does? It can create multiple URLs for the exact same product if it shows up in different collections. That messes with search engines—they don’t always know which version to rank.

Now, what a lot of people don’t know is that you can really fix it with canonical tags! Yes, you read that right. Shopify does generate these by default, but don’t assume they’re always pointing to the right page.

It’s worth doing a quick audit. And if things get messy, a Shopify SEO expert can help create some custom fixes.

3. Theme Performance & Technical SEO Make a Difference

Not all Shopify themes are built the same. Some are bloated with unnecessary code, some load super slowly, and others just aren’t SEO-friendly out of the box. Add in a few bulky apps and uncompressed images, and things can get sluggish fast.

Now, here are some of the things that you should focus on:

• Compress those images
• Cut down on how many apps you’re running
• Choose a lightweight, SEO-focused theme
• Reduce JavaScript where possible

Speed’s not just about rankings—it affects user experience, bounce rate, and conversion, too. Nobody wants to wait for a page to load in 2025.

4. Content Gets Overlooked (A Lot)

It’s easy to get caught up in visuals and products on Shopify, but content? That’s where a lot of stores drop the ball. And it’s a missed opportunity—Google eats up helpful content.

Think beyond product descriptions. Add blogs, how-tos, collection intros, and FAQs that actually answer customer questions.

Why bother? Because your product page might not rank for broader or more competitive keywords. But a blog post answering a specific question? That can drive traffic that converts.

So what should be your next step? Simple, here are a few things:

• Build a content plan.
• Go after long-tail keywords.
• Write posts that relate to your products.
• Make sure everything links together naturally.

Yes, read the last point again— Not forced. Just… helpful.

5. Structured Data Can Give You a Boost

Shopify does include some structured data out of the box—like basic product info—but it doesn’t cover everything. And richer schema markup can help your listings stand out in search results.

So, what are some of the things that you need to improve? Here’s a list that you should take a look at:

• Add review and rating schema
• Include FAQ schema where relevant
• Make sure pricing and availability show up correctly
• Use breadcrumb markup for better navigation cues

You can do some of this manually or use apps that help fill in the gaps. Either way, it’s worth it for the extra visibility.

6. Redirects & Migrations Take Extra Care

If you’re revamping your site, changing domains, or moving from another platform, redirects are a must. Shopify lets you set up 301s manually, which is great—but it won’t magically catch everything.

Before you migrate, here are a few things that you should do:

• Make a full list of current URLs
• Set up redirects from old to new
• Test the key pages after launch
• Resubmit your sitemap in Google Search Console

Skipping this step can tank your rankings overnight. A little prep saves a lot of cleanup.

SEO Is THE Way To Boost Shopify Stores

So SEO for Shopify Stores definitely has its own quirks. The basics are still very important—good content, fast loading, and clear structure.

However, the way you carry out those basics has to be compatible with Shopify’s system, not opposing it.

In case SEO seems like a puzzle to you or you don’t have time to take care of it like a baby, don’t just guess.

Find someone who understands the platform to help you. This will not only save you a lot of time but also most likely enable your store to reach a higher position more quickly.