How to Rank Shopify Store Higher on Google (2025 SEO Guide)

How to Rank Shopify Store Higher on Google (2025 SEO Guide)

Is your Shopify store not showing up on Google the way you want or the store lost somewhere on page 5 of Google? You’re not alone. Thousands of ecommerce brands build beautiful stores, list great products… and still wonder why traffic never comes. The problem often isn’t your store, it’s your SEO strategy.

With over 9 years of hands-on experience in SEO, I’ve helped Shopify businesses across the globe 10x their organic traffic, boost conversions, and scale fast just by making the right changes – no tricks, no shortcuts, just smart strategies that work.

And in this 2025-ready guide, I’ll show you exactly how to rank your Shopify store higher on Google step by step. No technical jargon, no agency-speak. Just the strategies that actually work.

Let’s get started.

Why Your Shopify Store Isn’t Ranking (Common SEO Mistakes)

Why Shopify Store Isn’t Ranking (Common SEO Mistakes)

If your store looks great but still doesn’t show up on Google, chances are you’ve fallen into one (or more) of these common SEO traps. Don’t worry- they’re easy to fix once you know what’s holding you back:

  1. Using Generic Product Titles

    If your product title is just “T-Shirt” or “Coffee Mug,” it’s too basic. Google won’t know what makes it special.


    Using Generic Product Titles
    Instead, use clear, specific titles like “Funny Coffee Mug for Dog Lovers – 15oz” to help your product stand out.
  2. No Keyword Research or Targeting

    Publishing products or pages without keyword strategy is like throwing darts in the dark.


    No Keyword Research or Targeting
    You need to know what people are searching for and match your content to it. Keyword research helps you find the exact words people use on Google – like “organic skincare for dry skin” instead of just “face cream.”

    Use tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or even Google Autocomplete to find what buyers are typing into search.

  3. Slow Page Speed

    Shopify themes can get bloated fast. Add too many apps, big images, or bad code – and your store slows down.


    Slow Page Speed
    If your store takes too long to load, people will leave and Google notices.

    Use a fast Shopify theme, compress your images, and limit heavy apps. Faster websites get better rankings. Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to measure speed.

  4. Weak Product Descriptions

    If your descriptions are copied from suppliers or just one sentence long, you’re missing a huge SEO signal.


    Weak Product Descriptions
    Google wants unique, useful content – and so do customers.

    Instead, write original descriptions that include keywords and answer customer questions. Think like your buyer: What would they want to know?

  5. Missing Metadata & Schema

    Metadata is what Google reads first. If you’re not optimizing page titles, meta descriptions, and adding structured data (schema), Google may skip over your pages or show the wrong info in search.


    Metadata & Schema for Shopify
    Schema helps search engines understand your content better. Without them, you’re missing a huge SEO opportunity.

    Add custom metadata and use schema for products, reviews, and FAQs. For example: Add “Product” schema to your product pages to show reviews, price, and stock info in search results.

  6. No Blog or Backlinks

    No blog = no content to rank. No backlinks = no authority in Google’s eyes.

    If your site has no blog content or other websites linking to it, Google sees it as less trustworthy. A blog helps you rank for more keywords. And backlinks, links from other trusted sites boost your store’s authority.

How Google Ranks Shopify Stores in 2025

Before we dive into the step-by-step SEO fixes, let’s break down how Google actually ranks Shopify stores in 2025.

How Google Ranks Shopify Stores in 2025

Think of it like this: Google wants to show users the most helpful, trustworthy, and relevant online stores first. So if your Shopify site checks these boxes, you’re in a strong position to rank higher.

Here are the core ranking factors simplified:

  • Content Relevance

    Is your content answering what the searcher is looking for? Google wants to show users the most helpful and relevant content for their search.

    From product descriptions to blog posts, Google checks whether your content matches the intent behind the keywords.

    Learn more about Content Relevance.

  • Site Speed & Mobile UX

    Your Shopify store needs to load fast and look flawless on mobile. Google prioritizes sites that deliver a smooth, frustration-free experience, especially on phones.

  • Backlinks & Mentions

    When other websites link to your store, Google sees that as a vote of trust. The more quality links you earn, the more authority your store gains.

    Get featured on blogs, directories, or social media. Even a mention without a link can help your brand in Google’s eyes.

  • Domain Authority

    This is a trust score built over time through backlinks, consistent content, and brand reputation. New stores can still rank, but building authority helps you win more competitive keywords.

    Check your domain authority with Ahrefs.

  • Keyword Targeting & On-Page SEO

    Google needs signals to understand your pages. That means using the right keywords in your titles, headings, image alt text, and product content – all in a natural, helpful way.

    Focus on one main keyword per page. Use it in the title, meta description, URL, and first 100 words. Then support it with related phrases.

    Find out how to optimize for On-Page SEO.

Step-by-Step Process to Rank Your Shopify Store

 

Step 1 – Do Keyword Research with Buyer Intent

If you want your Shopify store to rank higher on Google, start with smart keyword research. This means finding words and phrases that real customers are actually searching when they’re ready to buy, not just browse.

Keyword Research with Buyer Intent
Use easy tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, and Google Autocomplete to find what buyers are typing into search.

Step 2 – Optimize Product Pages for On-Page SEO

Once you’ve found the right keywords, it’s time to place them where Google (and your customers) look first: your product pages.

Optimize Product Pages for On-Page SEO
Start with page titles and meta descriptions.

Step 3 – Improve Your Shopify Store Speed

Google loves fast websites. Use TinyIMG to compress images and PageSpeed Insights for checks.

Improve Your Shopify Store Speed

Step 4 – Build Backlinks to Boost Authority

Focus on high-quality links from trusted sites. Submit your store to Shopify directories and collaborate with influencers.

Build Backlinks for Shopify Store

Step 5 – Use Content Clusters to Build Topical Authority

Want Google to see your Shopify store as an expert? Create content clusters around key topics and link back to your product pages.

Learn more about content clusters.

Use Content Clusters to Build Topical Authority

Step 6 – Add UGC, Reviews & Social Proof

Google loves fresh, unique content, and reviews provide exactly that. Use apps like Judge.me or Loox to gather reviews.

Add structured data for rich snippets and watch your CTR improve.

Step 7 – Track Your Rankings & Improve Constantly

Use tools like Google Search Console to track keywords, monitor CTR, and update content regularly.

Track Your Rankings & Improve Constantly

Advanced SEO Tips Most Shopify Stores Miss

 

Already done the basics? Great.

Now it’s time to go beyond what 90% of Shopify store owners ever do – and unlock advanced SEO wins that can make a massive difference in long-term rankings and revenue.

Here are 5 pro-level SEO tips that most stores skip 👇

 

  •  Add Product Schema Manually

    Shopify themes don’t always generate perfect schema markup.

    Add Product Schema Manually

    To stand out in Google search (with things like star ratings, pricing, availability), you may need to manually add product schema or use a custom app that gives you full control.

    By manually adding Product Schema (via custom code or apps), you help Google better understand your product details like price, reviews, availability and display rich snippets in search.

    Use tools like Schema Markup Generator to build your code.

    Read more about product schema for Shopify.

  •  Build Topic-Based Internal Link Silos

    Don’t just link randomly between pages.
    Group related content using internal links that connect child pages to parent hubs (like your Shopify SEO guide or category page).

    Example:

    Parent: “Shopify SEO Guide
    Children: “Product Page SEO,” “Site Speed Tips,” “Best SEO Apps

    This builds topical authority and makes it easier for Google to crawl and rank your content.

    Learn more about internal linking and SEO.

  •  Optimize Collections and Filters for SEO

    Most stores overlook this, but collection pages often get more traffic than products.

    Optimize Collections and Filters for SEO

    – Add unique content (not just product grids)
    – Use clean, keyword-focused URLs
    – Create SEO-friendly filter pages (e.g., /collections/mens-shoes-size-10)

    Learn how to optimize collections on Shopify.

  •  Localize with Hreflang Tags (if global)

    If you sell internationally, use hreflang tags to tell Google which version of a page is for which country/language. This avoids duplicate content penalties and improves rankings in different countries.

    Localize with Hreflang Tags

    Shopify Markets makes this easier, but double-check with Google’s Hreflang Testing Tool.

    Check Shopify’s guide on international SEO.

  •  Use Blog + Email Together to Build Backlinks Passively

    High-quality backlinks = higher authority. Whenever you publish a new blog post:

    – Promote via email to your list or other sites in your niche
    – Include a short, shareable quote or statistic
    – Add a “link to this article” section for partners or press
    – Repurpose the blog into LinkedIn posts, Medium articles, or Quora answers

    People will start linking to your content over time. This turns every post into a link-building machine, without cold outreach.

    Read more about building backlinks.

Most stores skip these steps but this is where great SEO turns into Unbeatable SEO. Implement just a few of these and you’ll start to see a noticeable difference in visibility, clicks, and conversions.

These advanced strategies take a bit more time, but they separate the average stores from the ones dominating Google.

Learn more about advanced SEO.

Let RefsMedia Help You Rank Higher

Let RefsMedia Help You Rank Higher

If you’ve made it this far, one thing’s clear: You’re serious about growing your Shopify store.

But let’s be real, SEO takes time, testing, and expertise. And if you’d rather focus on your business while the rankings grow, that’s where we come in.

Want to skip the guesswork?

RefsMedia is here! We specialize in Shopify SEO that actually drives traffic, sales, and long-term growth.

Book a free consultation today

We’ll help you create a strategy that fits your business – no matter where you are on your Shopify journey.

Let’s turn your store into a top-ranking machine.

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