Links pointing to your default myshopify.com domain instead of your custom domain damage your SEO and brand identity. These default URLs dilute link equity, confuse search engines about your canonical domain, and undermine customer trust. Every backlink to myshopify.com is a missed opportunity to strengthen your custom domain's authority.
This guide shows you how to identify myshopify.com links and redirect them properly to consolidate your SEO power under your branded custom domain.
Why Myshopify.com Links Hurt Your SEO
Default myshopify.com URLs create multiple technical and branding problems that directly impact your search performance.
| Issue | Impact | SEO Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Split Link Equity | Backlinks divided between two domains | Weaker domain authority |
| Brand Confusion | Generic URL vs branded domain | Lower click-through rates |
| Duplicate Content | Same content on multiple URLs | Indexing issues |
| Trust Signals | Professional domain shows legitimacy | Higher conversion rates |
Every link pointing to myshopify.com instead of your custom domain wastes valuable link equity. These backlinks strengthen Shopify's domain authority—not yours. Consolidating all links to your custom domain is essential for SEO success.
Identifying Myshopify.com Links
Step 1: Access Google Search Console
Log into Google Search Console at search.google.com/search-console. Select the property corresponding to your Shopify store. Make sure you've properly configured your Shopify Search Console integration first.
Step 2: Navigate to Links Section
In the left sidebar, click "Links" then select "External links." This report shows all websites linking to your store, along with the specific URLs they're pointing to.
Step 3: Review Linked Pages
Examine the list of linked pages carefully. Look for any URLs containing "myshopify.com" instead of your custom domain. Export this data for detailed analysis and action planning.
Step 4: Check Internal References
Review your Shopify URL structure to ensure all internal links use your custom domain. Check navigation menus, footer links, and embedded content throughout your store.
Some legitimate Shopify systems may use myshopify.com URLs internally. Focus on fixing customer-facing links and external backlinks that should point to your branded domain.
Fixing Myshopify.com Links
Set Up 301 Redirects in Shopify
Log into your Shopify admin dashboard. Navigate to Online Store > Navigation. Create 301 redirects from any myshopify.com URLs to their corresponding custom domain equivalents. This ensures anyone accessing old links lands on your branded domain, similar to implementing proper www redirect configuration.
Update External Backlinks
Contact website owners who link to your myshopify.com URLs. Provide them with updated custom domain links and explain the change. Most webmasters accommodate these requests, especially for legitimate business updates.
Audit Marketing Materials
Review all marketing assets—email campaigns, social media profiles, business cards, and advertisements. Replace any myshopify.com references with your custom domain. This maintains consistent branding and maximizes SEO value.
Configure Canonical Tags
Implement proper Shopify canonical tags pointing to your custom domain. This signals to search engines which version should be indexed, preventing duplicate content issues.
Technical Implementation Best Practices
Ensure your custom domain uses Shopify HTTPS to maintain security and trust signals. Search engines prioritize secure sites in rankings.
After implementing redirects, submit your updated Shopify sitemap through Search Console. This helps Google discover your corrected URL structure faster.
Monitor your Search Console reports monthly to catch new myshopify.com links early. Quick action prevents link equity loss and maintains your domain consolidation efforts.
Long-Term Domain Strategy
Establish clear brand guidelines requiring custom domain URLs in all communications. Train your team to always use branded links rather than default myshopify.com URLs.
When sharing product links on social media or in marketing, always use your custom domain. This builds brand recognition and concentrates all SEO value in one place.
Related Shopify SEO Guides
Shopify URL Structure Optimization
Structure your URLs for maximum SEO impact with clean, keyword-rich paths.
Read Guide →Shopify HTTPS Configuration
Enable HTTPS security to protect customer data and improve search rankings.
Read Guide →Shopify Canonical Tags Setup
Implement canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues and consolidate SEO value.
Read Guide →Shopify Search Console Setup
Connect and configure Google Search Console to monitor your Shopify store's performance.
Read Guide →Shopify Sitemap Optimization
Generate and submit optimized sitemaps to help search engines crawl your store efficiently.
Read Guide →WWW Redirect Configuration
Set up proper www vs non-www redirects to consolidate domain authority and avoid duplicate content.
Read Guide →Shopify store traffic stuck? You're not alone.
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