What Makes Shopify SEO Different?
Shopify has unique SEO challenges that general SEO advice doesn't address:
This guide covers Shopify-specific solutions that actually work.
Part 1: Technical SEO Foundation (Tactics 1-9)
Tactic 1: Fix Your URL Structure
Shopify's default URLs include "/collections/" and "/products/" which can't be removed. But you can optimize what you control:
Do This:
/products/blue-running-shoes not /products/mens-athletic-blue-running-shoes-size-10Tactic 2: Implement Proper Canonical Tags
Shopify automatically adds canonical tags, but they can cause issues with:
Solution: Review your canonical tags using Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Site Audit.
Tactic 3: Optimize Your Robots.txt
Shopify's default robots.txt blocks some important paths. While you can't edit it directly, you can:
Tactic 4: Speed Optimization
Page speed is a ranking factor. For Shopify:
Target: Under 3 seconds load time on mobile.
Tactic 5: Mobile-First Indexing
Google indexes the mobile version of your site first. Ensure:
Tactic 6: Schema Markup Implementation
Add structured data for:
Pro Tip: Use JSON-LD format and test with Google's Rich Results Test.
Tactic 7: Internal Linking Strategy
Create a logical site structure:
``
Homepage
├── Category Pages (Collections)
│ ├── Subcategory Pages
│ │ └── Product Pages
├── Blog
│ └── Blog Posts (link to products)
└── Info Pages (About, Contact, FAQ)
`
Link products from blog posts, related products, and collection descriptions.
Tactic 8: XML Sitemap Optimization
Shopify auto-generates a sitemap at /sitemap.xml. Verify:
Tactic 9: HTTPS and Security
Shopify includes free SSL, but ensure:
Part 2: Keyword Research & Targeting (Tactics 10-14)
Tactic 10: Find Your Money Keywords
Focus on keywords with commercial intent:
High-Value Keyword Types:
Tool Recommendation: Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to find keywords your competitors rank for.
Tactic 11: Map Keywords to Pages
Create a keyword map:
| Keyword | Search Volume | Target Page |
| buy running shoes | 12,000 | /collections/running-shoes |
| best running shoes for flat feet | 2,400 | /blogs/news/best-running-shoes-flat-feet |
| nike air max 90 | 135,000 | /products/nike-air-max-90 |
Tactic 12: Optimize Product Titles
Include your target keyword naturally:
Before: "Air Max 90 - White"
After: "Nike Air Max 90 Running Shoes - White/Black"
Tactic 13: Write Unique Product Descriptions
Never use manufacturer descriptions. Write unique copy that includes:
Minimum: 300 words per product page.
Tactic 14: Collection Page Optimization
Collection pages are SEO goldmines. Optimize by adding:
Part 3: Content Marketing (Tactics 15-21)
Tactic 15: Build a Blog Content Strategy
Your blog should target informational keywords that lead to purchases:
Content Pillars for E-commerce:
Tactic 16: Create Product-Focused Blog Posts
Every blog post should link to relevant products:
Example Structure:
Pro Tip: Use Obsess AI to automatically generate product-focused blog posts that link to your inventory.
Tactic 17: Optimize Blog Post Structure
For each post:
Tactic 18: Implement a Content Calendar
Consistency beats occasional excellence:
Tactic 19: Repurpose Content
Turn one blog post into:
Tactic 20: Update Old Content
Every 6 months, review your top posts:
Tactic 21: Build Topic Clusters
Create interconnected content hubs:
`
Pillar Page: "Complete Guide to Running Shoes"
├── "Best Running Shoes for Beginners"
├── "Running Shoes vs Walking Shoes"
├── "How to Break In New Running Shoes"
├── "When to Replace Running Shoes"
└── "Running Shoe Buying Guide"
``
Link all cluster pages to the pillar and to each other.
Part 4: Link Building (Tactics 22-25)
Tactic 22: Build Product Review Links
Reach out to bloggers who review products in your niche:
Email Template:
Hi [Name], I loved your post on [topic]. We just launched [product] that your readers might like. Would you be interested in reviewing it? I'd be happy to send a sample.
Tactic 23: Guest Posting Strategy
Write guest posts for industry blogs:
Tactic 24: Broken Link Building
Find broken links on relevant sites and offer your content as a replacement:
Tactic 25: Digital PR
Create newsworthy content:
Part 5: Measurement & Optimization (Tactics 26-27)
Tactic 26: Set Up Proper Tracking
Configure Google Analytics 4 and Search Console:
Track:
Tactic 27: Monthly SEO Audits
Review monthly:
DIY vs. Hiring a Shopify SEO Expert
Do It Yourself If:
Hire an Expert If:
Middle Ground: Use AI tools like Obsess AI for content creation while handling technical SEO yourself.
Conclusion: Your SEO Action Plan
Start with these priorities:
Want to automate your content creation? Try Obsess AI free for 7 days and let AI handle your blog while you focus on sales.