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Shop App Parallel Collection Mode

📋Prerequisites

Review Multiplier uses a parallel collection approach when working with Shopify's Shop app. This article explains how this system works, why it's designed this way, and how it enables flexible review collection strategies for your business.

What is Parallel Collection?​

Parallel collection means that Review Multiplier collects reviews directly from your customers through its own email/SMS system, running alongside (in parallel with) Shop's built-in review collection—rather than importing or syncing reviews after Shop collects them.

Key distinction:

  • Import/sync approaches: Shop collects reviews, then another app imports them for display
  • Parallel collection: Both systems collect reviews independently, with coordination to prevent duplicate requests

This architectural choice is deliberate and enables Review Multiplier to create first-party reviews that qualify for Google Merchant Center from the moment of collection.

How Parallel Collection Works​

Collection Mechanism​

When you use Review Multiplier, the system:

  1. Monitors your orders through Shopify's order system
  2. Detects the sales channel (Shop app, online store, POS, etc.)
  3. Routes review requests based on your chosen collection mode
  4. Coordinates timing to prevent customers from receiving duplicate product review requests
  5. Collects reviews directly via email/SMS sent from your store

Channel-Based Routing​

Review Multiplier uses intelligent channel detection to coordinate with Shop:

Order Completed
    ↓
Channel Detection
    ↓
    ├─ Shop Order? → Apply Shop coordination rules
    │                 ↓
    │                 • Check collection mode settings
    │                 • Determine if Shop will collect
    │                 • Route accordingly
    │
    └─ Non-Shop Order? → Use standard collection flow
                          ↓
                          • Product review (if 2-step enabled)
                          • Store review (always)

Sales channels detected:

  • Shop orders: Placed through the Shop app
  • Online store: Your Shopify checkout
  • POS: Point of sale transactions
  • Draft orders: Manually created orders
  • Other channels: Buy buttons, social commerce

Coordination Mechanisms​

To prevent duplicate solicitation, Review Multiplier employs several coordination strategies:

  1. Mode-based routing: Different collection modes handle Shop orders differently
  2. Backup collection: Delayed product review request only if Shop doesn't collect
  3. Store review only: For Shop orders, collect store reviews (Shop doesn't)
  4. Channel separation: Hybrid mode processes Shop and non-Shop orders separately

Why Parallel Collection Matters​

First-Party Review Requirements​

Google Merchant Center requires "first-party reviews" for Product Ratings—reviews that you collected directly from your customers, not reviews collected by another platform.

Review origin classification:

  • Reviews collected by Shop: Categorized as collected by Shopify/Shop
  • Reviews collected by Review Multiplier: Categorized as collected by you (first-party)

This distinction matters because:

  • First-party reviews → Eligible for Google Merchant Center Product Ratings
  • Third-party reviews → Not eligible for GMC (even if displayed on your website)

Design Choice for Flexibility​

Parallel collection was designed to support multiple collection strategies simultaneously:

Strategy 1: Shop-First (Backup)

  • Shop collects product reviews for Shop orders
  • Review Multiplier collects store reviews for all orders
  • Backup product review request if Shop doesn't collect within 14 days

Strategy 2: Shop Workaround Mode

  • Review Multiplier collects both product and store reviews immediately
  • Shop collects later (set Shop's delay to 180 days)
  • Bypasses the typical Shop app wait period

Strategy 3: Hybrid (Smart Mix)

  • Shop handles Shop orders
  • Review Multiplier handles all non-Shop orders (online store, POS, etc.)
  • Maximum coverage with perfect channel separation

This flexibility exists because Review Multiplier collects independently rather than importing after the fact.

Collection Mode Options​

Review Multiplier offers three collection modes, all enabled by parallel collection architecture:

How it works:

  • Shop collects product reviews for Shop orders
  • Review Multiplier sends store review requests for all orders
  • If Shop doesn't collect within 14 days, Review Multiplier sends backup product review request

What you get:

  • Product reviews from Shop (with "Verified by Shop" badge)
  • Store reviews from Review Multiplier (for testimonials, homepage)
  • No duplicate product review requests
  • Backup safety net if Shop misses customers

Best for:

  • Merchants prioritizing customer experience
  • Stores with significant Shop app order volume
  • Those wanting the safest, most proven approach

Google Merchant Center impact:

  • Non-Shop orders create first-party reviews (GMC-eligible)
  • Shop orders create Shop reviews (not GMC-eligible, but displayed on site)
  • Gradual GMC feed growth from non-Shop channels

Mode 2: Shop Workaround Mode​

How it works:

  • Configure Shop to delay review requests to 180 days (maximum allowed)
  • Review Multiplier collects product and store reviews immediately (2-7 days after delivery)
  • Shop eventually collects too, months later

What you get:

  • Immediate review collection from all customers
  • No waiting for Shop app's timing
  • Shop reviews as additional social proof (months later)

Best for:

  • Merchants who want immediate review collection
  • Stores that need faster review accumulation
  • Bypassing Shop's default timing constraints

Consideration:

  • Customers may receive two review requests over time (separated by 5-6 months)
  • Second request typically has low response rate

Mode 3: Hybrid (Smart Channel Separation)​

How it works:

  • Turn OFF Shop's "Reviews on purchases outside of Shop" setting
  • Shop collects product reviews ONLY for Shop app orders
  • Review Multiplier collects product + store reviews for all other orders

What you get:

  • Shop reviews with "Verified by Shop" badge for Shop orders
  • First-party product and store reviews for all non-Shop orders (GMC-eligible)
  • Zero duplicate requests (perfect coordination)
  • Maximum review coverage across all sales channels

Best for:

  • Merchants with mixed sales channels
  • Stores wanting both Shop credibility AND Google Shopping stars
  • Those comfortable with one-time Shop configuration

Google Merchant Center impact:

  • All non-Shop orders create GMC-eligible reviews
  • Comprehensive coverage if non-Shop channels represent significant volume
  • Both Shop social proof and GMC Product Ratings

Configuration requirement:

  • Must verify Shop's "Reviews on purchases outside of Shop" is OFF
  • Review Multiplier provides step-by-step instructions
  • One-time configuration with clear verification steps

Comparison: Collection Approaches​

AspectImport/Sync ApproachParallel Collection (Review Multiplier)
Collection MethodShop collects, app imports afterwardBoth systems collect independently
Review OriginShop's reviewsMerchant's first-party reviews
Google Merchant Center EligibilityNot eligible (third-party)Eligible (first-party)
CoordinationPost-collection importPre-collection routing and coordination
Duplicate RiskLower (single collector)Managed through channel detection and mode selection
Strategy FlexibilityLimited to Shop's featuresThree configurable modes
Store ReviewsNot collected by ShopAlways collected by Review Multiplier

Setting Up Parallel Collection​

In Review Multiplier Dashboard​

  1. Navigate to Settings → Review Collection

  2. Locate Shop App Coordination section

  3. Select your preferred collection mode:

    • Shop-First (Backup) - Recommended for most merchants
    • Shop Workaround Mode - For immediate review collection
    • Hybrid - For maximum coverage with channel separation

  4. Configure timing settings:

    • Backup window: Days to wait before sending backup request (typically 14 days)
    • Review delay: Days after delivery to send review request

  5. Save Settings

Verifying Shop Configuration​

For Hybrid mode specifically, you must verify Shop's settings:

  1. Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Apps and sales channels
  2. Click Shop → Open sales channel
  3. Navigate to Settings → Shop reviews
  4. Verify "Reviews on purchases outside of Shop" is OFF

Review Multiplier displays these instructions in-app with visual guidance.

Preventing Duplicate Solicitation​

Built-In Safeguards​

Review Multiplier includes technical safeguards to prevent duplicate product review requests:

  1. Channel detection: Identifies Shop orders through multiple signals

    • Sales channel name
    • Order source
    • Order tags

  2. Mode-based routing: Applies different collection logic based on mode selection

  3. Backup timing: Waits configured period before sending backup request

  4. Store review separation: Store reviews ask about different aspects (overall experience, not product)

What You Need to Verify​

For Hybrid mode, you must confirm:

  • ✅ Shop's "Reviews on purchases outside of Shop" setting is OFF
  • ✅ Your Shop review delay is set to your preference (default is 7 days)

For Shop Workaround Mode, you should configure:

  • ✅ Shop's review delay set to 180 days (maximum)
  • ✅ Review Multiplier's delay set to your preference (typically 2-7 days)

Understanding Product vs Store Reviews​

An important aspect of parallel collection is understanding that Shop and Review Multiplier collect different types of reviews in certain modes:

Product Reviews​

What they ask: "How do you like this product?"

Collected by:

  • Shop: For Shop orders (in Shop-First and Hybrid modes)
  • Review Multiplier: For non-Shop orders (in Hybrid mode) or all orders (in GMC-First mode)

Where they're used:

  • Product pages
  • Google Shopping Product Ratings (if first-party)
  • Product comparison displays

Store Reviews​

What they ask: "How was your overall experience with our store?"

Collected by:

  • Review Multiplier only: Shop doesn't collect store reviews

Where they're used:

  • Homepage testimonials
  • Trust badges
  • About page
  • Overall store reputation

Why This Matters​

In Shop-First mode, when Review Multiplier sends a store review request after Shop collects a product review, customers see these as complementary rather than duplicate—they're asking about different aspects of the experience.

This is why coordination works: Shop asks "How was the product?" and Review Multiplier asks "How was your overall experience with our store?"

Common Implementation Scenarios​

Scenario 1: High Shop Order Volume, Want GMC Coverage​

Your situation:

  • 60%+ of orders come through Shop app
  • Want to build Google Shopping Product Ratings
  • Customer experience is top priority

Recommended mode: Shop-First (Backup)

Why it works:

  • Shop handles most product reviews (customers expect this)
  • Store reviews collected from everyone
  • Non-Shop orders (40%) create first-party reviews for GMC
  • Backup collection prevents missed opportunities
  • No customer confusion

GMC timeline:

  • Gradual build-up from 40% of orders
  • Reach 50 review threshold over time
  • Low risk of duplicate requests

Scenario 2: Mixed Channels (Shop + Online Store + POS)​

Your situation:

  • 30% Shop orders
  • 50% online store checkout
  • 20% POS/other channels
  • Want maximum review coverage everywhere

Recommended mode: Hybrid (Smart Mix)

Why it works:

  • Shop handles its 30% (with verified badges)
  • Review Multiplier handles the other 70% (GMC-eligible)
  • Perfect channel separation prevents duplicates
  • Maximum overall coverage

GMC timeline:

  • Fast build-up from 70% of orders
  • Reach 50 review threshold quickly
  • Comprehensive Product Ratings coverage

Scenario 3: Active Google Shopping Advertiser​

Your situation:

  • Google Shopping is primary traffic source
  • Product Ratings stars are business-critical
  • Need to reach 50 review threshold quickly

Recommended mode: Shop Workaround Mode

Why it works:

  • Immediate review collection from all orders
  • Fastest path to building review volume
  • No waiting for Shop's timing
  • Full control over review collection timing

Timeline:

  • Rapid build-up from all orders
  • Quick accumulation of reviews (weeks, not months)
  • Immediate review population

Trade-off:

  • Customers may eventually receive Shop's request too (months later)
  • Worth it for businesses that need faster review collection

Scenario 4: Testing Shop While Maintaining GMC​

Your situation:

  • Already have GMC feed with good reviews
  • Want to test Shop app's review collection
  • Don't want to risk GMC feed disruption

Recommended mode: Start with Shop Workaround Mode, evaluate Hybrid later

Why it works:

  • Review collection continues uninterrupted
  • Shop collects in parallel (delayed)
  • Can evaluate Shop's collection effectiveness
  • Switch to Hybrid later if Shop proves valuable

Transition path:

  1. Month 1-2: Shop Workaround Mode (maintain current collection)
  2. Evaluate: Review Shop collection results
  3. Month 3+: Consider switching to Hybrid mode if Shop performing well

Troubleshooting​

Customers Receiving Duplicate Product Review Requests​

Likely causes:

  1. Shop's "Reviews on purchases outside of Shop" is ON (for Hybrid mode)
  2. Collection mode doesn't match your Shop settings
  3. Review Multiplier timing conflicts with Shop's timing

Solutions:

  • Verify Shop settings match your chosen mode
  • For Hybrid: Ensure "Reviews on purchases outside of Shop" is OFF
  • For Shop Workaround Mode: Increase Shop delay to 180 days
  • For Shop-First: Increase backup window (e.g., 14 → 21 days)

Reviews Not Appearing Where Expected​

Scenario: Reviews collected but not showing in GMC feed

Cause: Reviews were collected by Shop (imported into Review Multiplier)

Solution:

  • Shop reviews are intentionally excluded from GMC feed (they're third-party)
  • Only reviews collected directly by Review Multiplier appear in GMC
  • This is correct behavior per Google's requirements

Scenario: Reviews not showing on website

Cause: Widget configuration or review moderation status

Solution:

Shop Detection Not Working​

Symptoms: All orders treated as non-Shop orders even though placed in Shop

Cause: Channel detection not recognizing Shop orders

Solution:

  1. Verify orders have Shop sales channel in Shopify
  2. Check if orders have "shop" in order source
  3. Contact support with example order numbers for investigation

GMC Feed Not Including Expected Review Count​

Cause: Some reviews are Shop-sourced and excluded from GMC

What to check:

  1. Review source in Review Multiplier dashboard
  2. GMC diagnostics (shows Shop reviews excluded count)
  3. Collection mode settings alignment with expectations

Understanding:

  • GMC feed intentionally excludes Shop reviews (not first-party)
  • Only reviews collected directly by Review Multiplier are included
  • This is correct behavior for Google compliance

Frequently Asked Questions​

How is parallel collection different from apps that sync with Shop?​

Some review apps connect to Shop and import reviews after Shop collects them. These imported reviews can be displayed on your website but remain categorized as "collected by Shop."

Review Multiplier collects reviews directly from your customers through its own email/SMS system. This means the reviews are first-party from the moment of collection, making them eligible for Google Merchant Center.

The key difference: Collection method (direct vs import) determines review origin (first-party vs third-party), which determines Google Merchant Center eligibility.

Will my customers get duplicate review requests?​

Not if configured correctly. Review Multiplier uses mode-based coordination to prevent duplicate product review requests:

  • Shop-First mode: Shop collects product reviews for Shop orders; Review Multiplier sends store reviews only (different question, different aspect of experience)
  • Shop Workaround Mode: Review Multiplier collects first; Shop collects months later (separated by 5-6 months)
  • Hybrid mode: Perfect separation—Shop handles Shop orders, Review Multiplier handles everything else (requires Shop setting verification)

Store reviews are never duplicates because Shop doesn't collect store reviews.

Can I change collection modes later?​

Yes. Collection mode can be changed at any time in Review Multiplier settings. The change applies to future review requests without affecting reviews already collected.

Common transitions:

  • Start with Shop-First → Switch to Hybrid after verifying Shop settings
  • Test with Shop Workaround Mode → Move to Hybrid once comfortable with Shop coordination
  • Adjust based on channel mix changes in your business

What happens to existing Shop reviews?​

Existing Shop reviews remain in Shop and continue to display on your website (if you've enabled that). They're marked with source: "Shop" and display with the "Verified by Shop" badge.

Moving forward, new reviews are collected according to your selected mode. You're not losing anything—you're adding direct collection on top of what Shop provides.

How do I know which mode to use?​

Consider these questions:

Do you need immediate review collection?

  • Yes → Consider Shop Workaround Mode or Hybrid
  • No → Shop-First works well

What percentage of orders come through Shop app?

  • High (60%+) → Shop-First or Shop Workaround Mode
  • Mixed (30-60%) → Hybrid gives best coverage
  • Low (under 30%) → Any mode works; Shop-First is simplest

How comfortable are you with configuring Shop settings?

  • Comfortable → Hybrid is most powerful
  • Prefer simplicity → Shop-First is most straightforward

Does Review Multiplier import Shop reviews?​

Yes and no:

For website display: Review Multiplier can import Shop reviews via Shopify's Product Review metaobject API. These display on your website with the "Verified by Shop" badge.

For Google Merchant Center: Shop reviews are intentionally excluded from the GMC feed because they're categorized as third-party reviews (collected by Shopify, not by you).

This is why parallel collection exists—to create first-party reviews while still benefiting from Shop's collection for website display.

What if I'm already using another review app?​

Review Multiplier can coexist with other review apps. The parallel collection system coordinates with Shop regardless of whether you have other apps installed.

Migration consideration: If switching from another app, Review Multiplier can import your existing reviews for continuity, then begin parallel collection for new orders going forward.

How long does it take to reach the 50-review threshold for Google Product Ratings?​

This depends on your order volume and collection mode:

Shop Workaround Mode:

  • If you get 100 orders/month and 30% complete reviews → ~2 months
  • If you get 200 orders/month and 30% complete reviews → ~1 month

Shop-First mode:

  • Depends on non-Shop order percentage
  • If 40% of orders are non-Shop → ~2-3x longer than Shop Workaround Mode
  • Still builds over time with no customer friction

Hybrid mode:

  • Depends on non-Shop order percentage
  • If 70% of orders are non-Shop → ~1.4x longer than Shop Workaround Mode
  • Fastest path after Shop Workaround Mode

Can I use both Shop and Review Multiplier for product reviews?​

Yes, but the coordination strategy matters:

Shop-First mode: Shop collects for Shop orders, Review Multiplier collects for non-Shop orders (with backup)

Shop Workaround Mode: Both collect, but separated in time (Review Multiplier first, Shop months later)

Hybrid mode: Perfect separation by channel (Shop for Shop orders, Review Multiplier for everything else)

The mode you choose determines how this coordination works.

Summary: Key Takeaways​

  • ✅ Parallel collection means Review Multiplier collects reviews directly alongside Shop's collection, with coordination to prevent duplicates

  • ✅ First-party reviews are created from the moment of collection, making them Google Merchant Center eligible

  • ✅ Three collection modes (Shop-First, Shop Workaround Mode, Hybrid) offer flexibility for different business needs

  • ✅ Design choice for parallel collection enables Google Shopping integration while working harmoniously with Shop

  • ✅ Store reviews are always collected by Review Multiplier (Shop doesn't collect these)

  • ✅ Mode-based coordination prevents duplicate product review requests through channel detection and timing

  • ✅ Shop reviews imported for website display are intentionally excluded from GMC feed (Google requirement)

  • ✅ Configuration is straightforward with in-app guidance for each mode

Next Steps​

  1. Choose your collection mode based on your business priorities
  2. Configure settings in Review Multiplier dashboard
  3. Verify Shop settings if using Hybrid mode
  4. Monitor results through dashboard analytics
  5. Adjust as needed - modes can be changed anytime

For step-by-step configuration guidance, see Configure Shop App Settings.

Need Help?​

If you have questions about which collection mode is right for your business or need help with configuration:

  • Email: support@reviewmultiplier.ai
  • In-app: Click the support widget in your Review Multiplier dashboard
  • Response time: Typically within 2 business hours

Last Updated: January 2025 Applies to: Review Multiplier v2.0+

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