How to Import Reviews to Shopify – The Complete Guide in 2026

Customer reviews play a crucial role in the success of any eCommerce store as they build trust, increase sales, and help potential customers make informed purchasing decisions. Therefore, if you are migrating to your new destination on Shopify, finding a way to import reviews to Shopify is essential to maintain your store’s credibility.

Unfortunately, Shopify doesn’t include a built-in tool to import reviews. Hence, you’ll need to bring your reviews over using one of two common methods: importing through a review app or migrating them with a dedicated migration service.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• How to import customer reviews into Shopify using apps
• Best apps for Shopify review import
• How to import reviews to Shopify with LitExtension
• Why import reviews to Shopify?
• Common challenges when importing reviews to Shopify
• Can you import reviews to Shopify with no sales?
• Best practices to manage imported reviews on Shopify

Let’s get started!

How to Import Reviews to Shopify Using Apps

To import reviews to Shopify using an app (such as Judge.me), you should first copy the import template, fill in your review data, and then download and save it as a CSV file. Finally, go to the app dashboard to upload your CSV.

Why did we take the Judge.me app as an example to walk you through the process? Scoring a perfect 5.0/5 rating from nearly 50,000 reviews on the Shopify App Store and carrying the Built for Shopify badge, this extension can be an ideal choice for anyone seeking a trusted solution that offers customizable review features and integrates seamlessly with Shopify.

Step 1. Create your CSV file

• Make a copy of the Judge.me import template.
• Fill in your reviews following the template. At minimum, each row needs a review body (up to 5,000 characters), a 1–5 star rating, and a product identifier. You can add up to 5 image URLs per review, but videos can’t be imported.

• When your data is ready, go to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv) to save your sheet as a CSV file.

Please note that Judge.me accepts .csv, .xls, and .xlsx files of up to 100MB per import, though CSV is the most reliable format.

Step 2. Import reviews to Shopify

• In your Judge.me admin, go to “Settings” > “Import reviews” > “Import from apps”.
• Find “Judge.me format” and click “Import”.

• Upload your CSV file and click “Import” again to start.

• Judge.me processes the file in the background, usually within 5 minutes, then emails you the results. You can also check them in the Reviews Import Log.

If your reviews are saved in a different layout, choose “Import from a spreadsheet” instead and map each column to a Judge.me field. Before the import starts, Judge.me will also ask you to confirm that your reviews are genuine and that you have permission to import them.

And that’s how easy it is to import customer reviews to your Shopify store using the Judge.me app. With that being said, although this plugin simplifies the importing process, it still requires a great deal of time and manual effort to customize the CSV file. Additionally, due to the lack of support for other data types, the Judge.me app might not be suitable if you want to transfer your whole online store from another eCommerce platform to Shopify.

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Best Apps for Importing Reviews to Shopify

If you want alternatives to Judge.me, the Shopify App Store has several strong review import apps like Loox, Opinew, Stamped, Ali Reviews, and Rivyo. Each supports different sources, such as AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, as well as features like photo/video reviews and automated review requests:

That said, all of these apps are best suited for small to medium-sized review imports and typically require manual effort or technical knowledge to handle unexpected issues.

And this is when LitExtension – #1 eCommerce Migration Tool comes into the picture. Proud of our 15+ years of experience and 200,000+ customers worldwide, we support 140+ platforms, so whether you’re migrating from WooCommerce, Magento, or another platform, the transition will be smooth and hassle-free. On top of that, LitExtension also teams up with other trusted partners to migrate your reviews more efficiently, so rest assured that all your store data will be transferred accurately and securely.

In the latter part of this article, let’s explore how to transfer customer reviews to Shopify store, along with other essential entities, using LitExtension in three simple steps.

How to Import Reviews to Shopify With LitExtension

If you are wondering how to add reviews to Shopify during a full store transition, using LitExtension is the most efficient method. Simply log in and hit “Create New Migration” to get started. Set up both your Source Cart and Target Cart (Shopify), choose reviews and products as data to migrate, and then run the full migration.

Specifically, first, you’ll need to log in to the LitExtension app via a registered account or Google account. In case this is your first time using LitExtension, simply hit the “Register” button and fill in the required information to get started.

Then, in your dashboard, click on the “Create New Migration” button to start moving your reviews to Shopify.

Step 1. Set up Source Cart and Target Cart

Here, you’ll need to select your current platform from the drop-down list and provide the required credentials depending on your cart type.

If you want to migrate from an open-source solution (for example, Magento, WooCommerce,…), make sure to install the LitExtension Connector and upload it to your store’s root folder. This will act as a “virtual bridge” between your current eCommerce solution and Shopify, ensuring that all your data is well-connected between your platforms. Then, please fill in your store URL and wait for the notification “Connection was successfully installed” to appear on the screen.

To see how the whole migration works in action, watch the video below. If you’re new to the platform, our Shopify tutorial also walks you through setting up your store.

On the other hand, if you want to import your reviews to Shopify from a hosted solution, please fill in the required credentials in the blank to finish setting up your Source Cart.

Now, let’s move on to the Target Cart setup. Select Shopify as your Target Cart Type, and you’ll be redirected to install the LitExtension app on Shopify. Simply log in to your Shopify admin and approve the required permissions, and your store will be connected with no API credentials needed.

After everything is filled out and set up, click the “Next: Configure Your Migration” button to proceed to the next step of your migration journey.

Step 2. Select the data you want to migrate

Now, let’s select “Reviews” under the “Entities To Migrate” section by ticking the box right next to it. Please note that this entity is bound with “Products”, you’ll need to select both fields to upload reviews to Shopify. LitExtension also supports migration for other essential data, such as Customers, Orders, Pages, Blog Posts, and Coupons, so feel free to select them to carry out to your new Shopify store.

To further enhance your migration experience, LitExtension offers Additional Options that allow for greater customization. These options include advanced features such as “Preserve Order IDs on Target Store” or “Strip HTML from category, product names.” While these selections are optional, they can add significant value to your migration process. However, keep in mind that choosing certain options may incur additional fees, so you should select those that best fit your specific needs.

Additionally, ensure you map your language and order statuses correctly to guarantee they display accurately on your Shopify store. This step is crucial for maintaining consistency and organization during the transition.

Once you’ve configured everything, you can choose to preview the migration process by clicking “Next: Start Free Demo Migration.” This free demo moves a limited number of products, customers, and orders, so you can see how the migration works before proceeding further. If you’re confident in your setup and wish to skip the demo, simply toggle the “Skip Demo Migration” option and click “Next: Start Full Migration.”

With these steps completed, you’re ready to move forward with a seamless and efficient review migration!

Step 3. Start the full migration

This is where the magic happens. Once your setup is complete, the LitExtension automated migration tool will securely transfer all your selected data, including customer reviews, from the source platform to Shopify. The entire migration process runs seamlessly in the background, ensuring that your current business operations are not disrupted. You can keep your online store open and continue serving customers with peace of mind, knowing that your data is being migrated securely and efficiently.

Why Import Reviews to Shopify?

We’ve explored how to sync product reviews to Shopify using apps and migration services. Now, let’s take a step back and unpack why this process matters in the first place. Why are reviews so important that you simply cannot skip them when importing data to Shopify?

First of all, customer reviews are a fundamental element of a successful online store. Indeed, in the absence of physical interaction, shoppers often rely heavily on the experiences of others to make confident buying decisions. In such cases, reviews offer that essential reassurance by acting as social proof that showcases the quality, reliability, and authenticity of your products through real user feedback.

Plus, beyond conversions, reviews also serve a powerful role in improving your store’s SEO. Search engines love fresh, keyword-rich, user-generated content, and reviews naturally provide that! With every new piece of customer feedback, your product pages become more dynamic and searchable, which gives your Shopify store an organic boost in visibility!

The urgency to import Amazon reviews to Shopify (or other similar marketplace migration processes) has also grown since Shopify retired its free Product Reviews app, which was delisted from the Shopify App Store in September 2023 and fully removed in May 2024. Since merchants can no longer rely on this built-in tool, it’s become all the more necessary to migrate existing reviews to new solutions like Judge.me or via a full-service provider such as LitExtension.

Common Challenges of Importing Reviews to Shopify

When you import reviews to Shopify, the most common issues include incompatible file formats, missing or broken review fields, and reviews not matching the correct products. We have summarized these dilemmas in the table below:

By being aware of these potential roadblocks and knowing how to work around them, you’ll successfully manage to import Etsy reviews to Shopify, handle Amazon feedback transfers, and resolve mapping issues with ease!

Can You Import Reviews to Shopify with No Sales?

Yes, you can. Even if your Shopify store hasn’t made any sales yet, learning how to import reviews from AliExpress to Shopify or other suppliers allows you to display social proof right away, as long as you sell the exact same products and clearly show where the reviews came from.

In most cases, the easiest way is to use a third-party review app that supports importing reviews from external sources (for example, reviews you collected from offline orders, marketplaces, or previous platforms).

Or, if you are familiar with development work, another option is building a custom import with your review app’s API, or using a script to store ratings in Shopify metafields.

Just keep in mind: whichever method you choose, you should only import real reviews from customers who actually bought and used your products. Since October 21, 2024, the FTC’s rule on consumer reviews has banned fake reviews and reviews from people with no real experience of the product, with civil penalties for violations. Misleading reviews can also break Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy and put your store at risk.

Bonus Reading: Best Practices to Manage Imported Reviews on Shopify

Managing imported reviews on Shopify doesn’t just mean displaying them on your store. To maximize the value of your reviews, make sure they are authentic, displayed through a well-designed widget, and highlight photo/video reviews whenever possible for stronger social proof.

1. Ensure reviews are authentic and relevant

Customer trust is built on genuine feedback. Avoid importing fake or irrelevant reviews: besides hurting your credibility, they can breach the FTC’s rule on fake reviews, and apps like Judge.me even ask you to confirm your reviews are genuine before importing. Authentic reviews improve credibility, enhance SEO, and foster long-term customer relationships.

2. Use a well-designed review display

How reviews appear on your Shopify store affects customer engagement. Use a visually appealing review widget, such as a star rating summary, a review carousel, or a featured customer review section.

3. Highlight photo and video reviews

Shoppers trust visual proof more than plain text reviews. If your imported reviews contain customer-uploaded photos or videos, ensure they are displayed prominently. Consider using a review app that allows customers to attach images to their feedback for greater authenticity.

4. Optimize reviews for SEO

Search engines index customer reviews, making them a valuable asset for SEO. To maximize their impact:

• Make sure your review app adds product review structured data so Google can show star ratings in search results.
• Ensure product pages have keyword-rich reviews.
• Avoid duplicate content by ensuring reviews are unique and well-formatted.

5. Moderate and respond to reviews

Older reviews are valuable but should be balanced with newer customer feedback. Encourage fresh reviews by automating post-purchase review requests via email or SMS. Shopify apps like Judge.me and Loox can help you collect ongoing reviews efficiently.

Import Reviews to Shopify – FAQs

Final Thoughts

To conclude, knowing how to import reviews to Shopify is crucial for maintaining the trust and credibility of your store. Whether you’re transitioning from another platform or looking to enhance your Shopify store with user-generated content, tools like LitExtension, Judge.me, and Loox simplify the process and ensure accuracy.

If you like this article, please don’t hesitate to check out other Shopify blogs on our website for more expert tips and insights.

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