41 Shopify SEO Issues You Can Fix in 15 Minutes

How to use this list

• Find the issue you recognize.
• Open the path in Shopify noted under “Quick fix”.
• Save & re-publish, then verify in Google Search Console.

Technical & On-Page (SEO)

1. Duplicate title tags

   What’s wrong: Google can’t tell which page to rank.

   Quick fix: Make each title unique. In Products/Collections/Pages → Search engine listing, add a specific keyword + brand.

2. Missing meta descriptions

   What’s wrong: Lower CTR from SERPs.

   Quick fix: Write a 150–160 char benefit-first summary in the same Search engine listing area.

3. Broken internal links

   What’s wrong: Crawl flow dies; users hit 404s.

   Quick fix: Fix menus in Online store → Navigation. Add URL redirects for moved handles in Online store → Navigation → View URL redirects.

4. H1 missing or duplicated

   What’s wrong: Weak topical clarity.

   Quick fix: Ensure exactly one H1 per template. In Online store → Themes → Edit code check main-product.liquid/main-collection.liquid for a single <h1>.

5. No sitemap submitted

   What’s wrong: Google may miss pages.

   Quick fix: Shopify auto-creates /sitemap.xml. Submit it in GSC > Indexing → Sitemaps.

6. Poor mobile experience

   What’s wrong: Mobile-first ranking + high bounce.

   Quick fix: Use a responsive theme, reduce hero height, remove heavy sections on mobile in Customize.

7. No HTTPS

   What’s wrong: Trust lost; browser warnings.

   Quick fix: Enable SSL in Settings → Domains (Shopify provisions automatically).

8. Slow loading pages

   What’s wrong: Users bounce; lower rankings.

   Quick fix: Compress images (< 250 KB), switch to .webp, remove unused apps/sections, and enable lazy-load (most Shopify themes already add loading="lazy" to images).

9. Thin content on key pages

   What’s wrong: Low value = low rankings.

   Quick fix: Add 100–300 words of helpful copy above the fold: materials, sizing, care, shipping, FAQs.

10. Duplicate content (variants/filters)

    What’s wrong: Cannibalization.

    Quick fix (theme): Ensure canonical tag exists in theme.liquid:

    <link rel="canonical" href="{{ canonical_url }}">

11. Messy URL structure

    What’s wrong: Hard to read; weak relevance.

    Quick fix: Use short, hyphenated handles (e.g., summer-linen-shirt). Update in the page/product handle field and create a redirect.

12. Image alt text missing

    What’s wrong: Lost accessibility + image SEO.

    Quick fix: In Products → Media, click an image → add descriptive Alt text with product terms.

13. Page speed scripts bloat

    What’s wrong: Too many third-party apps.

    Quick fix: Uninstall unused apps; in theme.liquid move non-critical JS to the footer or mark defer.

14. No breadcrumbs

    What’s wrong: Weaker internal linking + UX.

    Quick fix: Enable a breadcrumb section or add a simple trail in templates; include BreadcrumbList JSON-LD.

15. Publish date hidden

    What’s wrong: No freshness signal.

    Quick fix: Show publish/updated dates on blog articles. Update top posts quarterly.

16. Author bio missing

    What’s wrong: Weak E-E-A-T.

    Quick fix: Add an author block with credentials and a link to an author page.

17. No structured data

    What’s wrong: Search engines can’t extract info.

    Quick fix: Ensure theme outputs JSON-LD for Organization, Product, BreadcrumbList, Article.

18. No XML for FAQs/How-Tos

    What’s wrong: Missed rich results.

    Quick fix: Add FAQ blocks and schema. Example snippet:

    <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context":"https://schema.org", "@type":"FAQPage", "mainEntity":[  {"@type":"Question","name":"What is your return policy?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"30 days..."}},  {"@type":"Question","name":"Do you ship internationally?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes..."}} ]}</script>

19. No About/Contact depth

    What’s wrong: Lower trust and conversions.

    Quick fix: Add brand story, team, address, phone, social, store photos, awards.

20. No press/mentions page

    What’s wrong: Fewer citations.

    Quick fix: Create a “Press” page and link out to coverage; add logos and quotes.

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)

1. No FAQ schema on product/collection pages. Add FAQ block + JSON-LD (snippet above).
2. No How-To content. Publish short “How to choose size/material/care” guides with steps.
3. Pages don’t answer questions directly. Put a 1–2 sentence answer in the first 100 words.
4. Unclear headings. Use plain-language H2s like “What is…?”, “How to…”.
5. No lists for answers. Convert paragraphs into bulleted/numbered lists for snippets.

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

1. Brand not cited externally. Publish guest posts/partnership content; add a press kit.
2. No contextual internal links. Link product <→> collection <→> guides with descriptive anchors.
3. No organization/product schema. Ensure JSON-LD covers org, product, reviews, price, availability.
4. Weak About/Contact pages. Expand with mission, credentials, and real photos.
5. No indexed mentions. Create a “Newsroom” and submit new pieces to GSC for faster discovery.

Experience & UX (GXO)

1. Cluttered design. Remove low-value sections, keep generous spacing, simplify nav.
2. No table of contents (blog). Add an in-page TOC with jump links.
3. High bounce rate. Improve above-the-fold hook: headline, social proof, primary CTA.
4. No CTAs/next steps. Add “Add to Cart”, “Shop the Collection”, “Size Guide”, “Contact Us”.
5. Non-inclusive language. Edit copy to be inclusive and respectful.

Language & Information (LIO)

1. No content clusters. Group by Pillar → Subtopics → FAQs; interlink.
2. Inconsistent tone/POV. Define a voice guide; apply across product and blog.
3. No freshness signals. Add “updated” dates and refresh quarterly.
4. Content too short. Target 800–1200 words for important guides with real insight.
5. No external references. Cite credible sources (standards, studies, size charts).
6. Zero people-first content. Publish case studies, testimonials, UGC roundups.
7. Images without alt text. Describe images clearly (do this in Products → Media).
8. No real use-cases. Add scenarios, styling tips, before/after shots.
9. No republishing strategy. Update, re-title, and re-share top performers.
10. No entity-focused headings. Use “Brand + Topic” H2s to reinforce entities.

Verify fixes in Google Search Console

• Check Performance for improved CTR on pages with new titles/metas.
• Use Pages (Indexing) to confirm 404s/redirects resolved.
• Validate Enhancements for FAQ/Product/Article schema.
• Monitor Core Web Vitals after speed tweaks.