7 Shopify SEO Mistakes That Kill Your Rankings

Running a Shopify store is exciting. You’ve got the products. The branding. The design. 

But if your store isn’t showing up on Google, none of that matters.

This blog will show you the 7 biggest Shopify SEO mistakes that quietly destroy your traffic and how to fix them. 

Whether you're just starting or scaling, this is your SEO wake-up call.

Let’s cut to the chase.

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1. Ignoring the Basics of On-Page SEO

You don’t need to be an SEO wizard. But if your Shopify store doesn’t have clean titles, meta descriptions, and headers, Google’s not going to show you any love.

Mistake

• Leaving product page titles like “Product 001”
  
  
• Not customizing meta descriptions
  
  
• Forgetting H1 and H2 tags
  
  

Solution

• Use keywords naturally in your titles and descriptions
  
  
• Focus on benefits: Instead of “Red T-Shirt”, say “Comfy Red T-Shirt for Everyday Wear”
  
  
• Keep one H1 per page and structure content with H2s and H3s
  
  

This is a quick win. It’s simple, but powerful. 

And it's the foundation of SEO for Shopify store success.

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2. Duplicate Content Across Product Pages

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• Google hates duplicate content
• Google wants to show the best, unique pages. Duplicate content makes it hard to choose which to rank.
• When confused, Google doesn't rank any of the pages, causing less traffic and visibility.

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Mistake

• Same product descriptions across multiple pages
  
  
• Using manufacturer descriptions word-for-word

Solution

Add a canonical tag to show Google which page is the main one.
This helps combine ranking power and prevents duplicate content penalties.

If rewriting every product description isn’t feasible, the canonical tag is your best SEO friend.

Duplicate content is one of the top Shopify SEO issues—and it’s easily fixed with canonical tags.

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3. Not Optimizing Images

Image SEO helps your site load faster and rank higher on Google.

Mistake

• Uploading huge images without compression
  
  
• Using file names like IMG_2387.jpg
  
  
• No alt text
  
  

Why this matters:

• Slow sites = high bounce rates 
• High bounce rates = lower rankings
• Alt text helps Google “read” your images (plus it’s good for accessibility)
  
  

Solution

• Compress images before uploading
  
  
• Rename files to: organic-cotton-shirt.jpg

Don’t use: DSC9876.jpg

• Use clear, keyword-rich alt text to boost SEO for your Shopify store.

Image SEO is easy, free, and powerful. Don’t skip it.

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4. Forgetting About Site Speed

If your store loads like it’s stuck in 2009, you’re losing customers and rankings.

Mistake

• Using too many apps and plugins
  
  
• Heavy themes that aren’t optimized
  
  
• No lazy loading

Solution

• Audit your theme—lightweight is always better
  
  
• Ditch unused Shopify apps
  
  
• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix
  
  
• Enable lazy loading for images

People don’t wait. Google doesn’t either. A fast site = better rankings and better sales.

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5. No Keyword Strategy (Or Using the Wrong Keywords)

If you certainly guess on keywords, you will be wasting valuable time and missing out on crucial visitors. 

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For example, if your blog is about Shopify, what you want to do is not just to target "Shopify." 

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Go for long-tail keywords like: 'Shopify for beginners' or 'Shopify SEO marketing.'

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Mistake

• Skipping keyword research
  
  
• Ignoring long-tail keywords
  
  
• Targeting overly broad terms
  
  

Why it hurts:
Broad keywords are super competitive. Without focus, Google won’t know what your page is really about—and you’ll struggle to rank.

Solution

• Use tools like Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, or Keywords Everywhere
  
  
• Target a portion of keywords that match what your ideal customer is searching for
  
  
• Naturally include terms like “improve SEO Shopify,” “Shopify SEO issues,” or “SEO marketing Shopify”

Stop guessing. Start ranking.

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6. Not Using Blog Content to Boost SEO

Blogging isn’t optional—it’s your secret SEO weapon.

Mistake

• No blog at all
  
  
• Only writing product promos
  
  
• Ignoring internal links
  
  

Solution

• Create helpful content your audience is actually searching for
  
  
• Example: “How to Style Chunky Sneakers”
  
  
• Link to your products naturally within blog posts
  
  
• Write blog posts that compare your product with others, like “Why Shopify is better than WordPress.”

Blogging = traffic. Traffic = sales. 

Don’t skip the content game.

Need to set up a Shopify store? Bricks provides Shopify web development services in Kuwait and the Gulf region. Build your custom design online store today!

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7. Forgetting About Mobile SEO

More than 70% of your visitors are on mobile. If your store doesn’t work beautifully on their phones, you’re toast.

Mistake

• Popups that block the screen
  
  
• Buttons too small to tap
  
  
• Fonts too tiny to read
  
  

Solution

• Test your site on real devices
  
  
• Use responsive themes
  
  
• Keep mobile UX clean and focused
  
  

Want to improve SEO Shopify style? Think small screen first.

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BONUS: Thinking Shopify is Bad for SEO

Is Shopify really bad for SEO? Not if you know what you're doing.

The myth:

People often ask “is Shopify bad for SEO?”

The truth:

• Shopify has SEO limitations (like duplicate URLs and lack of full control over sitemaps)
  
  
• But with smart tweaks, it can rank just as well as any platform
  
  

So don’t jump ship just yet. Instead, fix the mistakes above and watch your traffic grow.

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Final Thoughts: Shopify Can Be a Traffic Machine If You Avoid These Mistakes

If you’ve been struggling with visibility, it’s not your fault. Most store owners make at least one of these errors. But now you know better.

Quick Recap:

• Clean up on-page SEO
  
  
• Avoid duplicate content
  
  
• Optimize images
  
  
• Speed up your store
  
  
• Get smart with keywords
  
  
• Start blogging
  
  
• Go mobile-first
  
  

SEO marketing Shopify doesn’t have to be a guessing game. It's about clarity, consistency, and connection.

Take action on just one of these today and you'll be ahead of 80% of your competitors.

If you're a busy business owner and don't have time to fix SEO yourself, 

Bricks offers Shopify SEO services that make it easy to rank and grow your store faster.