Shopify to block ScriptTag functionality for checkout pages starting February 2025
Major changes announced for Shopify app developers as platform deprecates ScriptTag functionality on Thank You and Order Status pages.
On January 10, 2025, Shopify announced significant changes to its ScriptTag functionality that will impact app developers and merchants using the e-commerce platform. According to Shopify's official documentation, starting February 1, 2025, apps will no longer be able to create ScriptTags on merchants' Thank You or Order Status pages.
The existing ScriptTags will continue to function until August 28, 2025, for Shopify Plus merchants, with a later deadline to be announced for non-Plus merchants. According to the platform's technical documentation, this transition aims to modernize the platform's functionality and streamline the development process.
The change marks a significant shift in how developers will need to implement customizations on Shopify's checkout pages. According to the platform's developer guidelines, apps must transition from ScriptTags to either Web Pixels or UI Extensions to maintain functionality on these pages.
Benjamin W., a PPC and e-commerce expert, stated on LinkedIn that "existing script tags will work until August 28, 2025" and advised developers to "go with the new web pixels" when setting up new scripts.
Impact on Merchants and Developers
According to Shopify's documentation, the impact varies based on whether merchants have upgraded their Thank You and Order Status pages:
For new app installations after February 1, 2025:
- ScriptTags will not function on upgraded pages
- Web Pixels functionality remains available
- UI Extensions will work only on upgraded pages
For existing installations:
- ScriptTags continue working until the respective deadlines
- Plus merchants must complete transitions by August 28, 2025
- Non-Plus merchants will receive at least one year's notice for their deadline
Technical Implementation Details
The platform's documentation outlines specific requirements for developers:
- Apps must upgrade their functionality using Web Pixels and/or UI Extensions
- Developers need to update their app documentation to indicate available functionality
- Apps requiring ScriptTags on Order Status pages must submit changes by January 27, 2025
Merchant Communication Strategy
Shopify has implemented several measures to communicate these changes:
- Installation warnings will appear when merchants attempt to install apps using deprecated ScriptTags
- A customization report identifies apps requiring updates
- Merchants receive notifications about potential functionality limitations
According to platform documentation, apps that have not implemented UI Extensions or Web Pixels by February 1, 2025, may experience "significantly decreased" new installations.
Migration Path
The technical documentation specifies two primary alternatives for developers:
Web Pixels:
- Functions across all page versions
- Supports analytics and tracking functionality
- Maintains consistent operation during transition
UI Extensions:
- Provides enhanced customization capabilities
- Requires merchant page upgrades
- Offers improved integration with Shopify's ecosystem
Future Timeline
Key dates for implementation:
- January 27, 2025: Deadline for ScriptTag scope change submissions
- February 1, 2025: New ScriptTag creation blocked
- August 28, 2025: Plus merchant transition deadline
- Future date (TBA): Non-Plus merchant deadline with minimum one-year notice
This technical transition represents a significant shift in Shopify's development infrastructure, requiring careful planning and implementation from both developers and merchants to maintain their e-commerce functionality.