Shopify SEO checklist for 2026: a 40+ step roadmap to higher rankings

According to Ahrefs 2025 data, Google sends 210x more traffic to websites than ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity combined. So, while AI visibility is becoming increasingly important, SEO remains one of the biggest traffic drivers for Shopify stores.

The best strategy for long-term success is to optimize for both traditional ranking factors and improve AI visibility. This guide will walk you through an in-depth Shopify SEO checklist to help you boost your rankings across search engines and AI platforms.

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Shopify SEO checklist for growing search visibility

If you want your business to grow successfully, Search Engine Results Page (SERP) rankings are crucial. While it takes time to build up site authority, even newer websites can reach strong rankings on Google with time if they adapt the right strategies.

Here’s a quick overview of how we categorized the tips in this Shopify SEO checklist:

• SEO setup
• Keyword research
• Content strategy
• On-page SEO
• Technical SEO
• eCommerce SEO
• Off-page SEO
• AI SEO

But before we dive into it, make sure you complete the initial setup steps to avoid any interruptions when doing on-page, off-page, and other SEO tasks.

SEO setup

Pre-launch SEO tasks include setting up some necessary SEO tools and preparing to release content that’s made for your target audience. So, here are all the steps you should take before getting your Shopify site out into the world:

1. Use an SEO-friendly Shopify theme

Make sure you install a Shopify theme that’s made for SEO. The key areas you should look into are:

• Fast performance – review our fastest theme tests to see which options are optimized for speed.
• Responsiveness – the themes on the Shopify theme store are all made for mobile screens, but if you’re using a third-party theme, review their mobile versions.
• Layout – look for themes that offer a modern and clean layout for better user experience.

2. Set up search engine webmaster tools

Search engine webmaster tools are free platforms that search engines provide to help site owners monitor, manage, and troubleshoot how their pages perform on search engines.

The two most popular platforms are Google Search Console (GSC) and Bing Webmaster tools. Setting them up requires creating an account and verifying domain ownership.

With these platforms, you can monitor which queries bring visitors to your site, track impressions, click-through rates, rankings, and other metrics.

You can also identify issues with crawling or indexing, like finding broken pages or seeing which pages are blocked by robots.txt.

3. Add Google Analytics to Shopify

Google Analytics is essential for any business that wants to get website performance data. It gives insights into what digital marketing strategies or assets work for your site and what don’t.

Once you learn how to use metrics to find optimization opportunities, it can be a great way to increase rankings and traffic through improving your strategies.

Here’s a quick guide on how to set up Google Analytics 4:

1. Go to Google Analytics.
2. Head to Admin > Create > Account.
4. Add an account name, set the account data sharing settings, and click Next to add a property.

When adding a new property, you’ll need to provide your business objectives, property details, and business details.

4. Submit the XML sitemap to Google

An XML sitemap is a file with a list of URLs from your website and some basic metadata, like last update date. It helps search engines discover your pages easier.

On Shopify, sitemaps are generated automatically for every store and can be found by adding /sitemap.xml to your site’s URL. For example: example.com/sitemap.xml.

For search engines to discover and crawl your pages faster, you should submit a sitemap to webmaster tools like GSC. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Google Search Console.
2. Click Sitemaps and enter your Shopify sitemap URL.
3. Press Submit.

5. Review if your site is indexed

To appear in search results, your website has to be indexed. If you’ve submitted a sitemap and at least a week or two has already passed, you can test if it appears in search results.

Simply open Google and search your site by adding “site:” – here’s how:

site:yoursitedomain.com

If none of your pages are in the search results, it means your site isn’t indexed. Check your sitemap status on Google Search Console for any errors. Here are two common reasons for Shopify stores not getting indexed:

• Your store is password protected – remove the password in Shopify Admin > Online Store > Preferences > Password protection.
• You’re on a free Shopify trial – trial stores can’t be published, so crawlers can’t access your site.

6. Prepare the SEO reports dashboard

If you go to Shopify Admin > Analytics, you’ll find a default dashboard with metrics like total sales over time. However, you can click Actions > Customize to add the metrics you want.

When optimizing our own blog posts, we found that the best metrics to track on Shopify are visitors over time, bounce rates over time, and searches by search query. It helps determine which pages require SEO metadata optimization or content updates.

Keyword research

When optimizing your store for SEO, start from performing keyword research to understand what your potential customers are looking for.

7. Use a reliable keyword research tool

Keyword research tools, like Ahrefs or Semrush, help remove the guesswork and find keywords that your target audience is actually searching for based on location. You can monitor the volume, keyword variations, and related questions you could cover.

However, these tools cost money, so if your budget is limited, there’s an alternative. Google Keyword Planner is completely free and gives you access to Google’s search data. It’s not as comprehensive as paid tools but still great to explore keywords.

8. Align keywords with search intent

Search intent refers to the goal of the reader when entering a search query. The way your content matches the intent will determine your rankings in search results. For example, if you write a “How to” guide for a keyword that Google displays product pages for, you’re unlikely to rank in the first search results page.

There are four search intents that can be distinguished:

If you’re unsure what the search intent of a specific target keyword is, perform a SERP analysis. Look through the format of top results – do blog posts, category pages, product pages, or other types of pages dominate the page? It will signal what Google prioritizes for this keyword.

9 Target long-tail keywords

Long-tail keywords are easier to target because they’re more specific than generic keywords. For example, ranking for a short-tail keyword like “bathing suits” would be harder due to high competition, while “bathing suits for professional swimmers” may have lower competition.

There are a few reasons why you should target long-tail keywords:

• Lower competition. A study by Backlinko found that 91.8% of search queries are long-tail keywords. While short keywords are high-volume, long-tail keywords are focused on a specific demographic.

• Higher conversion rates. Since they target a specific audience, long-tail keywords may attract users with purchasing intent. A study by SEER Interactive found that long-tail keywords offer a 4.15% higher conversion rate than short keywords.
• Better for voice search. Users often leverage Siri and Google Assistant for voice search, and the requests are usually more conversational in nature than on traditional search engines.

10. Find keyword gaps with competitors

Keyword gaps are keywords that your competitors rank for but you don’t. It’s a great way to find out what has demand but you’re still missing out on it.

To perform a keyword gap analysis, you can use paid tools like Ahrefs or Semrush, which offer content gap tools.

If you’re on a budget, you can analyze your competitors naturally. Just write site: competitorwebsite.com “keyword theme” into Google search to get a list of content they have or simply open their blog page.

Content strategy

Content is an integral part of ensuring SEO rankings. To put it simply, it has to be created for readers, not search engines. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to optimize your content:

11. Build topic clusters around your main products

When writing your blog content, organize it around topic clusters. It means grouping articles around a central page, also called the pillar page.

For example, for a store selling espresso machines, the pillar could be “Espresso machines,” while the cluster content could be “How to use an espresso machine,” “Best espresso machines for beginners,” or “Espresso machine vs drip coffee maker.”

The cluster pages target long-tail keywords, which shows search engines that your content has depth and topical authority.

In cluster pages, add links to the pillar page so search engines understand how your content is connected.

12. Create a content plan based on search intent

When writing blog content, organize the topics based on search intent, which is the goal behind a user’s search query. If you’re unsure of the keyword intent, check what type of pages are already ranking in Google SERP for it.

The content you should plan based on search intent are as follows:

• Informational – the user wants to learn something, so writing “how to,” “what is,” or guide-style content is what you should target.
• Commercial – the user is researching options before buying, so think “best of,” “vs” (product comparison), or buying-guide type of content.
• Transactional – the user is ready to buy, so the intent is served by either product or collection pages.

Focus on keywords with informational or commercial investigation intents to help solve a specific problem for buyers. You should add internal links to your product pages where relevant so that users can make a purchase if they decide on a product.

13. Prioritize content opportunities

Whatever your website topic is, you’ll likely have a long list of topics you can write about. You need to strategize what to focus on first, so you can see traffic sooner.

Here are the main tips to help you get started:

• Target long-tail and low-competition keywords. A keyword like “dog harnesses” is harder to rank for because it’s competitive. Way less websites will be targeting long-tail keywords like “Best dog harnesses in 2026,” so start from writing less-competitive articles.
• Follow seasonal opportunities. There may be important dates or events you could use for writing time-sensitive content ahead of the date. For example, if you’re selling products for women, you could write an article “Best Mother’s Day gifts” a week or two before the celebration.
• Find competitor keyword gaps. Go through your competitor websites and see what topics they write about that you haven’t yet. If your budget allows, you can use tools like Ahrefs and go to Competitor analysis to see which keywords competing websites are ranking for that you don’t.

14. Build topical authority

Ranking high in SERP is not about a single page but creating interconnected content around your niche over time. It shows search engines that you have expertise on the subject rather than writing disconnected posts.

To build topical authority, keep expanding content around your pillar pages, so that you thoroughly cover a subject.

Make sure you regularly publish content so search engines see that your Shopify website is active and growing.

15. Optimize blog content

Writing a blog is useful for getting higher search engine visibility because you can dig deeper into topics related to your products that users are looking for. 

• Add a table of contents. If you’re writing a blog post, include a table of contents with all headings listed together with jump links. It helps search engines see how your article is structured.
• Add links to your products. When you write blog posts related to your products, link to the relevant product pages so readers can make a purchase. For example, when writing an article “Best waterproof winter shoes,” you could link to a product you’re selling that fits the description.
• Break up text. Users tend to skim through text, so writing a wall of text is difficult to follow. Instead, try to break up plain text into paragraphs no longer than 50 words. Use headings, images, tables, or lists when needed.
• Write a clear structure. Before writing an article, type down a clear heading outline. If H2 text is too long, consider breaking the text into H3s.
• Add a call to action. Whether you’re writing an informational or commercial blog post, use a call to action to invite users to check out your products.

16. Create people-first content

Google has content quality guidelines that it uses to evaluate whether content brings value to readers. It follows EEAT guidelines, which stand for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

It means that Google wants websites to provide firsthand experience, demonstrate deeper knowledge about a topic, build up their reliability, and ensure that content is accurate.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve people-first content:

• Focus on your audience – instead of overstuffing your content with keywords for search engines to notice, prioritize providing valuable and engaging content.
• Give real insights – demonstrate that you’ve done your research about the concept and include interviews, your personal experience, or testimonials.
• Provide sources – establish credibility by using authoritative sources in your content, whether by sharing statistics or citing a professional in the field.

17. Keep content fresh

After writing and publishing blog posts, you shouldn’t put them aside. Instead, monitor how it performs over time and come back to update it.

For example, if you wrote an article “Best skincare products for sensitive skin in 2026” but it’s already 2027, fix any outdated information or introduce new products and change the year.

You can also monitor performance on Google Search Console. Start by reviewing if any pages have dropped in rankings or traffic. Then, analyze what competitor pages outperformed yours in SERP and try to optimize the content to overtake the rankings.

On-page SEO

On-page SEO deals with optimizing separate pages to help them rank higher in search engines. Here are all the tasks you should implement to improve your position in search results:

18. Include keywords into your URLs

Page URLs should be clear and easy to understand, so search engines and users immediately know what your page is about. It should contain the main keyword, and the words should be separated by hyphens.

We’d suggest limiting the URL handle to 70 characters at most, so it’s simple to follow the URL structure.

You can edit URL handles in Shopify Admin by opening any of the pages. Click the Edit icon by the Search engine listing section and fill in the URL handle.

19. Make sure headings include relevant keywords

Creating a clear heading structure can help search engines understand and follow your content more easily. The keywords should be added naturally, not stuffed in each heading.

You should add the target keyword in H1. As for H2s, we’d recommend mentioning the keyword only where it fits naturally. That’s what works best for our content because it doesn’t look like keyword stuffing.

20. Use keywords in the introduction and conclusion

Placing your target keyword naturally in the introduction is a good practice because it shows that you’re sticking straight to the point early in the content. 

This is also useful for your readers – they can quickly skim through the beginning and find out whether the page answers their question.

Meanwhile, naturally mentioning your target keyword at the end of your content shows that you’re summarizing your core points. This signals to search engines that your content has remained consistent throughout the page.

21. Add informative metadata

SEO metadata, or a meta title and meta description, is information that appears in search engine results and tells search engines and users what your page is about.

Meta titles and meta descriptions also help convince users to click on your Shopify website, but only if it’s done correctly.

Here are the best practices for both meta titles and meta descriptions:

• Meta title. It should be less than 60 characters long and include the main keyword. Make it clear and engaging so users are tempted to click.
• Meta description. Write a unique and informative description of your page content, including a call to action and a target keyword. Note that it should be between 155-160 characters to not get cut off.

You can check if the metadata of your page fits the recommended character count using the free metadata checker.

22. Optimize images

Optimizing images is crucial for both SEO and user experience, since large images can affect your page load times. Here are the three main tasks you should do for image optimization:

• Choose the right size. Picking the right size helps ensure images don’t just look good on your page but also don’t hurt speed. You can follow the recommended Shopify image sizes; just make sure images don’t exceed 5000 x 5000 pixels.
• Compress images. Large images can be compressed to reduce the file size, which also helps with page load times. You can use lossless image compression tools for Shopify to reduce the file size of your images without sacrificing quality.
• Create descriptive alt texts. Alt texts, or alternative texts, help search engines understand the context of your images. They should be short and clear descriptions of what is presented in the image.

Technical SEO

Technical SEO might sound difficult at first glance, but most tasks can be completed even if you don’t know much about coding or website infrastructure. So, let’s take a look at the most essential tasks you should complete.

23. Optimize for speed

While speed isn’t the most important ranking factor, Google still prioritizes fast-loading websites. Core Web Vitals is Google’s assessment of website performance, which includes the following metrics you should optimize:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – measures page load time.
• Interaction to Next Paint (INP) – measures interactivity and responsiveness.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – measures visual stability.

You can run a Core Web Vitals test by adding your page URL to Google’s PageSpeed Insights. It allows you to see how real users experience your site performance on desktop and mobile devices.

You can scroll down to the Insights section and find page-specific issues that you should fix. You can follow our Core Web Vitals optimization guide for practical steps on Shopify.

24. Optimize for mobile devices

While desktop experience is important, you shouldn’t overlook your mobile site. According to 2026 GlobalStats data, mobile takes up more market share (52.18%) than desktop (47.82%).

Let’s take a look at a few main mobile optimization practices you can use for your Shopify store:

• Adjust images for smaller screens to create a structured and mobile-friendly layout.
• Optimize mobile website speed to reduce bounce rates.
• Use short text to avoid overstuffing the page but don’t forget to use keywords.
• Improve the checkout page to ensure users can complete a purchase fast and minimize cart abandonment rates.

25. Use internal links

Internal linking refers to the process of linking from one page of your website to another. There are two types of internal links – structural and contextual.

You can use structural linking by establishing a clear page hierarchy, such as Homepage > Category > Product page.

Meanwhile, contextual linking means you have to link to related content naturally within the page text. For example, you can link from a blog post to a relevant product page.

26. Optimize anchor text

Anchor text is the clickable text of a hyperlink, which is usually underlined and shown in a different color. It tells search engines and users what the linked page is about.

Avoid using “click here,” “find out here,” or other vague phrases as anchor text. Instead, use phrases that define the context of the page so it’s easy to scan through.

Example: If you want to link from a product page to a collection page for waterproof shoes, you can use anchor texts like “waterproof shoes” or “water-resistant shoes.”

27. Fix broken links

Broken links, or 404 pages, are links that point to a page that no longer exists. Search engines can’t crawl broken pages, and visitors who detect them are highly likely to leave instantly, increasing bounce rates.

You can find broken links through online broken link tools or use a Shopify SEO app that sends broken link reports.

You can fix broken links by going to Shopify Admin > Content > Menus > URL redirects > Create URL redirect.

Add the page you want to redirect and the URL it should redirect to. Click Save.

28. Add structured data for rich results

Structured data (schema markup) is a data format that gives search engines extra information about your pages. The most common format is JSON-LD, and it’s recommended by Google because it’s the easiest to implement and maintain.

Setting up structured data improves your chances of getting rich results in search engines. It means that your page would have additional information displayed in search results, such as price, ratings, or reviews.

Structured data can also potentially help AI models understand your content better. It can potentially improve your AI visibility and your chances of appearing in AI Overviews or chatbot answers.

Shopify adds basic product structured data to all Shopify stores automatically, but you can add more information manually through theme files. If you’re not familiar with structured data or coding, we’d recommend using an SEO app that adds it automatically.

29. Remove duplicate content

Duplicate content is similar text that appears on two different pages on your website. It can negatively affect SEO because search engines don’t know which page to prioritize. Use original text for all pages and avoid using unedited manufacturer descriptions.

When you need to use duplicate content, there’s another way – using canonical tags. They tell search engines which pages they have to prioritize.

All you need to do is insert the rel=”canonical” tag into your theme code. If coding isn’t your strong point, you can get a third-party app like the Canonical Tag URL Wizard to help you out.

30. Avoid keyword cannibalization

Google limits how many results per query can show up from a single domain. If multiple pages try to compete for the same keyword, they may underperform. It can be hard for Google to differentiate which page to prioritize.

To find keyword cannibalization, enter site:yourdomain.com “target keyword” into Google search. If multiple pages target the same keyword, they may be conflicting.

You may also use Google Search Console’s Performance report. If you find a query that generates impressions for multiple pages, it’s a sign of keyword cannibalization.

If the pages are targeting the same keyword and intent, then you can merge them into a single page. In this case, you should redirect the weaker page and improve internal linking to the main page.

eCommerce SEO

eCommerce SEO helps optimize products, collection pages, and their technical elements that also help improve the user experience.

31. Optimize product pages

Product pages are the most important pages for conversions, so you need to optimize them for SEO. This includes writing content that users find engaging and search engines can easily scan through. Here’s how:

• Make content unique. Each of your product pages should have unique titles and descriptions that match the search intent of the visitor.
• Optimize with keywords. In product descriptions, add long-tail keywords naturally. It gives more context to search engines and AI models about your product and helps them match it to what users are looking for.
• Make content easy to scan. Use bullet points, headings, or product tabs to make content easy to skim through, so visitors find information more easily.
• Write meta titles and meta descriptions. Make sure each product has different meta titles and meta descriptions and include the target keyword.
• Optimize for image SEO. Add alt texts so search engines and screen readers understand the image context. You can edit alt texts by going to Shopify Admin > Products, then opening the product, clicking the image, and editing the “Alt text” field.
• Add customer reviews. Shopify doesn’t natively support customer reviews, but it’s valuable for displaying ratings in rich results and gaining consumer trust. We’d recommend installing the Judge.me customer reviews app because it’s free to use for unlimited reviews.

32. Write content for collection pages

Product page optimization is important, but products are harder to rank because you’re likely competing with huge marketplace websites. That’s why we recommend creating and optimizing collection pages.

As Joshua George, the founder of SEO agency ClickSlice, said: “You've got your title, you've got your products, add to cart, and that is pretty much it. So when Google spiders come into your page to understand what your category page is about, it’s not that clear. So, to make it more clear to Google what your page is about, you simply add content below the products.”

So, what you should do is find long-tail keywords that don’t have high ranking difficulty. Then, create collection pages around that keyword with relevant products.

For example, instead of trying to rank for the keyword “vegan leather wallets” with a single product page, create a collection page with a description that uses keywords naturally. 

33. Optimize faceted navigation

Faceted navigation is the filters on collection pages that allow users to narrow down products by their specifications, like color, size, material, or price. It’s valuable for a better user experience, but you have to set it up correctly to avoid SEO issues.

That’s because each different filter setting creates a new URL, like “example.com/collections/dresses/color=white&size=9.” This creates thousands of near-duplicate pages that search engines have to crawl, which wastes your crawl budget.

To prevent issues, add canonical tags in Shopify so search engines understand which version to index. If you’re familiar with coding, you can follow the Shopify guide on how to set a canonical URL.

Alternatively, you can use apps like the Canonical Tag URL Wizard to do it automatically, but it costs $1.99/month.

34. Optimize product variants

Some Shopify products may come in variants, such as different colors or sizes. In such cases, make sure you avoid duplicate content across different product URLs. Instead, try to add descriptions that are specific for the variant, like different materials or use cases.

You can also optimize the image alt texts. For example, for each variant, add a different alt text and describe the specific color or style.

Off-page SEO

Off-page SEO is different from other SEO types because it’s the only one that deals with activities outside of your website to ensure higher ranking. The main goal is to build website authority through external sources. Here’s all you can do to improve your off-page SEO:

35. Perform a competitor backlink analysis

A competitor backlink analysis involves examining your competitors’ backlinks to find link-building opportunities for your own website. For this, you can use a backlink analysis tool, like Ahrefs or Semrush. If you don’t want to invest money, you can do it manually, but it will take longer.

First, you’ll need to identify your competitors based on the keyword(s) you’re targeting. You can enter the queries in Google and pick the top-ranking pages.

Then, you can leverage the free Ahrefs backlink checker. Just enter your competitor’s page URL and you’ll get a domain rating with a list of backlinks below it.

Copy and document the backlinks of all your competitors in one place. You can use this to draw patterns and spot valuable backlink sources.

Also, check for any repeating link-building strategies that you could implement. For example, pitch your own content ideas if your competitors have guest posts on other sites.

36. Get backlinks

When reputable websites link to your website, it means you’re getting backlinks. It’s important because it demonstrates your website's authority to search engines, leading to higher search result positions.

Natural backlinks happen when other websites find your content interesting and link to you as the source. But sometimes, others may mention your website without placing a link. In such cases, you can reach out to the site's team and ask them to turn the mention into a link.

Another way to get backlinks is to promote your content. For example, you can pitch journalists or bloggers.

How do I know if a backlink is worth getting?

Before you invest time into getting a backlink, check the domain’s authority and trustworthiness and make sure the site is relevant to your business. You should prioritize websites with high organic traffic, but also check their backlink profile and spam indicators.

Tools like LinkScore can help check any site’s website trust, spam, and domain authority for free.

If you have the budget, you can also use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to identify whether the site you want to ask for backlinks is reliable.

37. Get brand mentions

Even if you don’t get backlinks, brand mentions are still important for building your site authority and credibility.

One way to get featured in other blogs is to reach out and request to be mentioned in the “best of” articles in your niche.

You can also give interviews to appear as an expert source on industry publications or newsletters. If you don’t mind the public spotlight and have knowledge to share, you can also appear as a guest on podcasts.

38. Try digital PR

Digital PR is an excellent way to get others talking about your brand or even get backlinks. This signals to search engines that your site is valuable, which supports higher rankings.

Here are a few ways you could leverage digital PR:

• Perform data-driven studies. Many writers are looking for proven facts or statistics to back up their claims. If you provide research-backed content, it’s highly likely that others will link back to your site as a reliable source.
• Create stand-out campaigns. Try being unique and standing out from competitors so people start talking.
• Product-based PR. Think of why journalists should write about your product and what would make people want to read about it. Then, write press releases about your new arrivals.

What matters is that you focus on creating unique content that would actually be interesting for others. Consider what message you want to send and who your target audience is. You can distribute your content through your own channels, by pitching news sites, or by paying for ads or influencers.

39. Reclaim lost links

Link reclamation refers to the process of reclaiming the backlinks you’ve lost. This happens when a backlink is removed, or when the linking page is deleted or redirected.

To find link reclamation opportunities, you can use a tool like Ahrefs. It will show you the links you’ve lost, allow you to filter them, and show the reason why they were lost.

If you find lost links on non-indexed pages, they’re not worth reclaiming. Google won’t count them toward site authority.

However, if you believe that the page was accidentally removed or the link was replaced with another during a content update, reach out to the company. At minimum, you’ll get feedback on where you could improve.

40. Participate in relevant online communities

Another way to get brand mentions and backlinks is to participate in online communities that are relevant to your business. This can be a forum within your niche or popular platforms like Reddit, Quora, GitHub, Stack Overflow (for developers), Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or YouTube.

But it’s not as simple as writing an ad for these audiences – you need to engage them regularly and bring actual value with your content.

Build credibility by answering user questions and helping users solve problems. Mentioning your own product should feel like a natural addition instead of a forced promotion.

41. Perform local SEO

Local SEO can improve your online presence and help more consumers within your geographic area discover your business. A good example of local SEO is the Google Business Profile.

For instance, here’s what Walmart’s profile looks like on Google Maps:

A Google Business Profile lets Walmart manage how its stores appear in Google Maps, Google Shopping, and Search. Additionally, customers can write reviews and rate their experience. All this contributes to higher search rankings for local keywords.

You can also improve your website with keywords specific to the location you’re selling to, adding business hours, address, or phone number, and creating location-specific landing pages (if your website operates in multiple places).

42. Consider writing guest posts

Writing guest posts on other blogs can benefit your off-page SEO because it helps you get backlinks and reach new audiences. Approach blogs within your niche and pitch your ideas on how you could contribute to their website content.

Focus on writing well-researched content, but make sure to also include links to the relevant pages of your website. The links should be added naturally, not forced for the sake of the link.

AI SEO

Optimizing for AI models is becoming increasingly important because many consumers are switching to AI chatbots, while search engines are adopting AI-powered features. According to a report by Semrush, AI Overviews showed up for roughly 15.7% of searches as of late 2025.

Since queries are answered directly, zero-click searches are becoming a thing, meaning users get answers without opening any website. That’s why you need to get your content cited by AI models.

According to Google Developers, creating unique and useful content is more important than following any specific suggestions for AI optimization. Still, let’s review the practices that actually make content unique.

43. Optimize content for AI retrieval

AI models need to easily extract information from your content, so they look for text that’s easy to understand out of context. Here’s how to make your content easy to retrieve:

• Define concepts. If your content is technical, add clear definitions early in the content so AI models can extract a quick explanation.
• Structure content. Use H2, H3, and other level headings as needed to structure your content. This can help AI models extract relevant sections easier.
• Write concise answers. Under each heading, try to explain the idea in the first paragraph. It gives AI models immediate information they’re looking for.
• Use FAQs. Add an FAQ section, which gives direct answers to commonly asked questions. It gives AI models quick and clear answers to use.
• Add tables. Tables help present comparisons or specifications in an organized way, so that it’s easy to follow.

44. Publish original content

AI models can pull general information from any website that writes about the same topic, so you need to provide unique points. Some of the ways to do that include:

• Share your firsthand experience, whether it’s product testing insights you’ve noticed or a study you conducted.
• Add screenshots. Screenshots or images that you make yourself demonstrate that you’ve done the research or tests.
• Cite primary sources. Google is filled with websites that offer a list of statistics, but they’re usually not backed by actual studies. Only reference actual studies where relevant.
• Consider interviewing experts. Industry expert quotes can give your content more credibility because it offers unique information for AI models compared to generic content.

45. Build entity relationships

When it comes to understanding information, AI models don’t just look at a single page. Instead, they try to understand entities and how they relate, so you need to make it easy to understand your business.

For example, you should create categories and clearly categorize your products using internal linking. Also, ensure that your brand name is consistent and set up structured data so AI models can easily find information about your store.

If you’re running a blog, then create author profiles with clear bios showing their expertise. For physical businesses, make sure to state the locations on your website.

46. Monitor AI visibility

Just like with SEO, tracking your appearance in AI answers is important so you can optimize your strategy.

In June 2026, Google released a Beta version of Generative AI performance reports in Search Console. You can use it to track impressions within AI features on Google Search, including AI Overviews.

However, if it’s not yet visible on your Search Console account, there are other tools you can use. For example, Ahrefs shows you AI responses, including ChatGPT and AI Overviews, straight from the Site Explorer section.

Final thoughts

Using a structured Shopify SEO checklist is a great way to optimize your whole store, but it’s not a one-time task. SEO requires auditing your store, performing regular content updates, and finding content strategies that work for your niche.

Start optimizing your Shopify store’s SEO by ensuring your store is properly indexed. Then, prioritize keyword research, on-page, and eCommerce SEO for pages that are likely to bring you the most traffic. As AI models and AI features are becoming increasingly popular, put focus on optimizing content for AI visibility.

If you have thousands of products and optimization seems overwhelming, consider using a Shopify SEO app that automates tasks like metadata optimization, structured data setup, and content creation.

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About the author

Kristina Jaruseviciute

Kristina is a Content Lead at TinySEO responsible for informing and educating readers on all things Shopify-related. She covers a broad range of topics around SEO, AI visibility, website performance, and conversion rates to help merchants stand out in a competitive landscape.