How To Add Social Proof on Shopify

Positive reviews carry serious weight when it comes to purchase decisions, especially in ecommerce, where customers are removed from the brand and can’t experience the product firsthand. Earning their confidence often takes more effort.

People have come to rely on the opinions of others to guide their online purchasing decisions—and for Shopify store owners, social proof has become an essential part of marketing your online store. Social proof builds customer trust, increases conversion rates by as much as 34%1, and fosters long-term brand loyalty.

With the rise of social media, social proof can take many forms, but the end result remains the same: bridging the gap between you and your customers. Shoppers are more likely to buy when they see that others have made a purchase and enjoyed their experience. Whether it’s a five-star review, a video review offering candid, honest feedback, or a photo of a happy customer, social proof creates brand confidence.

Key Takeaways

One of the most common misconceptions about adding social proof to your online store is that it’s incredibly costly and requires advanced coding knowledge that you’d need to outsource. While this may have been true 15 years ago, it isn’t the case anymore. There are now several tools available that make it easy to collect product reviews, user-generated content, influencer testimonials, and other pieces of social proof and display them in a visually appealing way.

This article will break down the ways you can add social proof to your Shopify store and give you real-world tactics you can implement immediately. Whether you’re just launching your storefront or looking to boost conversions on an existing one, this guide will show you how to effectively leverage social proof on Shopify.

What Is Social Proof?

Social proof is a psychological phenomenon where individuals look to the actions or opinions of others to guide their own behavior, typically in uncertain situations. In ecommerce, social proof is most frequently used to influence potential customers toward a purchasing decision. Once they see that others have purchased a product or reviewed it highly, they view the store as more credible. Depending on how much value they place on the review, rating, or testimonial, it can make the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity.

Some brands build social proof into the core of their business model and see remarkable results by doing so. Take Australian skincare brand MooGoo, for example. This brand leveraged Okendo’s platform to boost customer trust and conversions by integrating user-generated reviews across marketing channels and personalizing the shopping experience with a product recommendation quiz. Seamless integration with Shopify and Klaviyo also set the stage for advanced segmentation and targeted marketing.

This approach builds trust, drives conversions, and fuels the kind of brand loyalty that keeps customers returning. Integrating different types of social proof into your Shopify store can create a similar environment of trust and authenticity, leading to higher customer engagement and sales conversions.

5 Types of Social Proof You Can Add to Your Shopify Store

Now that you know how social proof can give credibility to your brand, foster customer trust, and boost conversions in your Shopify store, it’s time to learn what types of social proof you can use and how you can implement them. Here are five effective types of social proof to consider:

1. Customer Reviews & Ratings

Perhaps the most fundamental form of social proof for your ecommerce store, written customer reviews and ratings showcase the quality of your product at scale. Prominently displaying star ratings and detailed reviews gives potential customers a snapshot of the satisfaction associated with your products. 

Almost all customers read online reviews before finalizing a purchase, making reviews a necessary part of the buying process. Here are some best practices for sourcing and displaying reviews in your Shopify store:

• Encourage customers to leave reviews post-purchase with follow-up emails. Offering a small incentive—whether it’s a discount or free shipping—can help collect reviews that eventually drive more conversions.
• Placement is key. Okendo Reviews makes it easy to display star ratings near product titles and streamlines how reviews appear across your PDPs, ensuring shoppers can quickly access the social proof they need to convert.
• Engage with customer reviews, both positive and negative. Using the review management features within Okendo Reviews, brands can respond directly to feedback, showing appreciation for praise and addressing concerns transparently—helping build trust and long-term loyalty.

2. User-Generated Content (UGC)

Perhaps the most authentic form of review content is user-generated content (UGC). Customer-submitted photos, videos, and testimonials add authenticity to your brand and products. 

Since UGC comes from real users of your products, it immediately builds trust with potential customers; especially with the advent of social media, consumers are accustomed to outsourcing product research to trusted creators online. Sourcing UGC can be difficult, so here are some tips for implementing this social proof example:

• Incentivize sharing by offering collaborations to influencers. Partnering with influencers can expand your brand’s reach. Okendo integrates with platforms like Affable.ai, an AI-driven influencer analytics and campaign management tool. This integration helps identify and collaborate with influencers who align with your brand, facilitating partnerships that can introduce your products to new audiences.
• Feature your UGC prominently. People want to be seen and heard, and if you show that you reward well-made content with prominent placement on your Shopify store, you incentivize others to try to make good content for you.
• Always get permission before using UGC in your marketing. You never want to subject yourself to liability by using someone else’s content, so always obtain permission in writing.

3. Social Media Mentions & Engagement

Over the last twenty years, social media has become a vital part of marketing your brand because of its direct access to your target audience and platform for storytelling. Highlighting influencer mentions and tagged posts provides third-party validation for your store. Embedding social media feeds in your Shopify store provides real-time interactions and shows your brand’s popularity. Here are some best practices:

• Engage publicly with your audience. You want to show that you’re not a robot behind a screen. Social media offers an avenue where you can cultivate a personable public persona while staying true to your brand messaging, and the best companies showcase their brand culture in the way they engage with their audience online.
• Use third-party validation to its fullest. If an influencer posts about your product, make sure it’s visible—whether on product pages, stories, or in collaboration posts.
• Embed your social media feed in your Shopify store to help build credibility. Integrate live social media feeds on your website to display recent mentions and engagements.

4. Trust Badges & Certifications

Perhaps one of the most overlooked forms of social proof is site security. Shoppers are rightfully cautious about entering payment information online, and trust badges go a long way in easing those fears. Displaying security and certification badges builds confidence, especially near high-stakes conversion points. You don’t want to lose a potential customer who abandons their cart because they don’t see social proof of a secure checkout process. 

• Display SSL certificates and secure payment icons prominently during the checkout process.
• If your brand has received any industry-related certifications or awards, showcase them on your store page.
• Place trust badges near CTAs and in the footer to ensure they’re visible when it matters most.

5. Influencer & Celebrity Endorsements

Product research in 2025 looks very different than it did in 2015. According to Adobe, 40% of consumers3 now use TikTok as a search tool—and that number jumps to 64% for Gen Z. Identifying and working with influencers in your industry has never been more important—or achievable. 

Influencers with large followings have major sway over public perception, and collaborations can introduce your brand to entirely new audiences. Here are some best practices for influencer marketing:

• You must identify the influencers whose audience aligns with your target market. If you’re a tech manufacturer, it wouldn’t make sense to partner with a beauty influencer. Find a creator who aligns with your brand and reach out to them.
• You must make sure the partnership is authentic. People are incredibly intuitive and they can smell a forced brand deal from a mile away. Seek out the people who are already advocates for your brand and partner in a way that grows their authentic brand loyalty.

Measure the impact. Track conversions from influencer campaigns with affiliate codes or UTM links to ensure your investments are delivering results.

Importance of Social Proof on Shopify

Shopify has revolutionized ecommerce. However, while it’s never been easier to sell your products online, it’s also never been more difficult to break through the noise. One of the most efficient ways to set your brand apart is by integrating social proof into your Shopify store by using Okendo Reviews.

Social proof builds trust, influences purchasing decisions, fosters customer loyalty, and boosts conversions. Here are the ways social proof can make a transformative impact on your Shopify store:

• Building Trust With Potential Customers: When a potential customer sees positive reviews and testimonials, they perceive your store as credible and reliable. In a study highlighted by Easy Digital Downloads, 86% of customers2 won’t purchase a product without reading reviews first. Nowadays, product reviews are so readily available that they’ve become a necessity for running a trustworthy ecommerce storefront. 
• Encouraging Purchasing Decisions: Validation from others helps remove hesitation at the point of purchase. In a smooth sales funnel, every bit of reassurance counts—and seeing real people endorse a product makes potential buyers feel more confident. This effect is even stronger when reviews include names, profile photos, or social handles, making the feedback feel more personal and trustworthy.
• Increases Conversion Rates: Prominently featuring reviews and testimonials on your storefront directly boosts conversion rates. Okendo specializes in products that collect and showcase authentic customer feedback, leading to significant increases in conversions—sometimes by as much as 4x. 
• Enhances Customer Engagement: User-generated content (UGC) and social media content create an authentic customer engagement experience by leveraging the goodwill of influencers to promote your product. This type of content can go a long way in reaching users with high purchase intent, especially when it’s provided by creators known for giving honest feedback. Celebrities are paid to endorse products, but everyday people are not. Customers trust the opinions of real people, and tapping into UGC is a powerful way to build brand trust.
• Drives Repeat Purchases & Loyalty: Customer loyalty isn’t rocket science—when customers have a history of positive experiences, they’re more likely to return. Featuring long-term customer feedback encourages retention and builds lasting trust around your brand. Loyal customers often act as brand ambassadors, sharing their positive experiences with friends, family, and their online networks. This kind of organic word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly valuable and often results in higher customer lifetime value (CLTV). Investing in tools like Okendo Loyalty and Okendo Referrals can make it easy to retain customers, allowing brands to have a strong pool of repeat buyers who not only come back, but bring others with them.

Social Proof Examples on Shopify

Some of the most successful Shopify storefronts use social proof to increase brand credibility, foster customer trust, and drive conversions. For example, Barstool Store, a leading lifestyle brand on Shopify, uses Okendo to showcase reviews and fan-driven content to build community trust. By turning their customers into advocates, they’ve scaled their Shopify storefront into a multimillion-dollar operation rooted in social proof.

Video Testimonials

The most dynamic and engaging form of social proof? Video testimonials. These allow potential buyers to hear and see real customers discussing your products—greatly influencing their purchasing decisions. While video testimonials are arguably the most powerful social proof you can use, they’re also the hardest to source and display. Here are some best practices for video testimonials:

• The best way to get video testimonials is by reaching out to satisfied customers and asking if they’d be willing to share their experience on video. This may seem tedious, but offering an incentive can yield great results.
• Provide clear guidelines for submissions. Whether it’s recording in vertical or horizontal format, keeping it under ninety seconds, or covering specific product features—guidance ensures the content aligns with your brand.
• Feature your testimonials prominently. If you have a video testimonial for a specific product, display it on the product page, your social media, or a dedicated testimonials page to maximize visibility.

Star Ratings

The easiest social proof to source and feature, star ratings, are more powerful with larger sample sizes. For example, a 4.7-star average from 5,000 customers may speak more loudly than a perfect 5-star average review from 5 customers; make sure you show how many people have rated your product. Visible star ratings provide a quick visual cue about a product’s quality, heavily influencing consumer behavior. Here are some tips for implementation:

• Place your star ratings consistently across your Shopify product page, search results, and even in shopping cart summaries.
• Prompt customers to leave ratings post-purchase, and follow up while the experience is still fresh.

Reviews & Recommendations

The most time-tested form of social proof, the written review, provides detailed insights into product performance and customer satisfaction, helping potential buyers make informed decisions.

• Highlighting positive feedback is always best practice. Showcase stellar reviews on your homepage or on product pages (or both) to immediately build customer trust.
• Address negative feedback constructively. Respond professionally, acknowledge the concern, and offer a solution when possible. Doing this well can actually enhance your brand’s reputation.

Social Media Mentions & Shares

Social Media interactions act as public endorsements and boost your brand’s credibility. UGC shared online acts as organic marketing, showing how real customers enjoy your products.

Respond promptly and always give other users a path to your page when interacting online. Here are a few strategies that can improve your social media presence:

• Creating branded hashtags helps identify your target audience on social media. Encouraging your customers to share their experiences by using your brand hashtag helps grow awareness for your brand online and makes it easier for potential customers to navigate to your page on search.
• Feature UGC with permission from your customers. Collaborative posting is going to be one of the best ways that you can grow your following online and drive traffic to your online store. Feature customer photos and posts on your product pages.

Real-Life Photos

Featuring real-life photos of customers using your products not only builds confidence in those products but also helps potential buyers visualize them in their own lives—significantly increasing the likelihood of purchases.

• Offer incentives to customers who include photos with their reviews, like a discount on their next purchase or a small free item.
• Create a community gallery on your Shopify store. Having a place on your site dedicated to showcasing photos of satisfied customers fosters a sense of community and trust.

When implemented correctly, these forms of social proof not only make a better shopping experience for your customers, they also build a trustworthy brand image that resonates with your audience. 

Best Practices for Displaying Social Proof

If you want your reviews and user-generated content to actually influence buying behavior, how and where you showcase them matters. Keep these simple best practices in mind:

Use Strategic Placement

As a general rule of thumb, featuring social proof in high-visibility areas of your website—like your homepage, product listing pages, product detail pages, or at checkout—is the most effective way to maximize impact. These touchpoints are where customers make purchasing decisions, so displaying third-party validation on them can significantly boost conversions. 

Keep Reviews Fresh

Recent reviews build credibility. Use tools like Okendo Reviews to automate review requests and keep your content up to date without adding manual tasks to your team’s plate.

Prioritize Authenticity

Shoppers can spot overly polished or curated content. Therefore, brands should prioritize showcasing real customer experiences, both positive and negative, to establish brand trust and transparency.

Use Shopify Social Proof for Conversions

Social proof is a game-changer for your Shopify store, but the process of collecting and displaying reviews, video testimonials, and user-generated content can be time-consuming. Okendo Reviews offers automation that makes sourcing social proof easy and includes multiple review widget displays that allow you to showcase feedback authentically across your Shopify store.

This tool has a robust feature set and a user-friendly design, allowing for in-depth customization, in-line product review widgets, media carousels, and photo/video grids. Its Q&A feature lets customers ask questions and receive answers in real-time, while dedicated review pages help shoppers who are specifically searching for your brand discover your top-rated products and reviews. 

Some of Okendo’s more innovative features include featured reviews which let brands pin top-rated feedback to the top of the widget, and AI-generated review summaries which give shoppers quick product insights that keeps them engaged, and drives more conversions. Brands can adjust the tone, length, prefix, and language of their AI summaries, so every summary feels like a natural extension of your brand. It’s a powerful platform that turns satisfied customers into loyal brand advocates.

FAQs About Social Proof Apps 

Social proof for an online brand is undeniably beneficial. Here are some quick answers to common questions about using social proof apps. 

How does a brand integrate social proof apps into Shopify?

Okendo Reviews integrates seamlessly with Shopify. Installation is quick, and setup guides walk you through the process step-by-step.

Are social proof apps really effective?

Yes—brands using Okendo Reviews and other Okendo products have seen conversion rates improve by up to 4x. Social proof gives shoppers confidence, and confidence leads to purchases.

What if I run into issues?

Okendo’s support team offers in-depth documentation and live support, making troubleshooting fast and straightforward.

Implementing Social Proof With Okendo

Social proof isn’t just a nice added feature—it’s an absolute necessity for ecommerce brands in 2025. For the vast majority of online customers, social proof is a key factor in making purchasing decisions. And with Okendo Reviews, it’s never been easier to highlight your happy customers. Make the most of social proof on your Shopify storefront by booking a demo with Okendo today.