Can recommendations work without marketing consent?
Updated September 20, 2026
Yes. Use current-page and catalog context for useful defaults, and apply customer-level or marketing signals only when the relevant processing is allowed. A declined purpose should not break shopping.
Define the decision first
Write down what the system changes, which signal supports that decision, and how long the signal stays useful. Do not collect a field merely because it may be useful later.
Respect the allowed processing state
Shopify’s Customer Privacy API separates preferences, analytics, marketing, and data-sale processing. Optional processing should follow the relevant state, and consent should result from a visitor action rather than being assumed.
Keep a complete fallback
When permission is absent or withdrawn, preserve product information, navigation, search, cart, and checkout. Use transparent catalog and page context instead of a blank experience.
Source
Shopify Customer Privacy API, accessed September 20, 2026.