Why would shopify deactivate customers behavior notifications services?

[Nanddiz]

As per Shopify's integrated software management, disabling a valuable customer behavior notification platform, especially one based on live views, would not be a wise move. It appears unprofessional to push apps and fees to users amidst the prevailing trend of on-the-go services. This tactic risks customer trust and could be seen as a scam. Such actions can be disappointing, leading to losses, especially when trying to gather fees monthly. Shopify should reconsider this approach to maintain a positive customer experience and reputation.

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Nanddiz 

I totally get where you're coming from. It can be frustrating when Shopify changes or removes features that businesses rely on to track customer behavior in real-time. Let me break this down for you.

Why would Shopify deactivate customer behavior notifications?

Shopify sometimes deactivates or modifies services due to a few key reasons:

1. Performance and Stability Issues – Some real-time tracking services can put a heavy load on Shopify’s servers, impacting site speed and performance. Shopify prioritizes a smooth, fast shopping experience, so if a feature is causing issues, they may remove or modify it.
2. Privacy and Compliance – With evolving data privacy laws (like GDPR and CCPA), Shopify is increasingly cautious about how customer behavior data is collected and shared. If a feature poses a potential compliance risk, they may phase it out to avoid legal complications.
3. Encouraging Third-Party Apps – Shopify focuses on its core platform and often relies on app developers for specialized features. If they remove a feature, it could be because they want merchants to use third-party apps instead. (Yes, this can feel like an extra cost, but it’s also how Shopify keeps its ecosystem flexible.)

What Can You Do?

If you’re missing real-time behavior notifications, here’s what you can try:

• Check Shopify’s Built-in Analytics – Shopify provides customer reports and live tracking under Analytics > Live View to see real-time activity. It may not be the same as push notifications, but it's still useful.
• Use Third-Party Apps – Apps like Lucky Orange, Hotjar, or CartHook offer real-time customer tracking, session replays, and behavior notifications.

Custom Webhooks – If you have development experience, Shopify’s webhooks (via Admin API) let you trigger notifications for specific customer actions like cart updates or checkouts. Here’s a basic webhook setup for tracking checkout updates:

{

  "topic": "checkouts/update",

  "address": "https://your-webhook-endpoint.com",

  "format": "json"

}

• You can set this up in Shopify Admin > Settings > Notifications > Webhooks.

I know it’s annoying when Shopify removes useful features, but there are always workarounds. Let me know if you need more help finding a solution that works for you.

Thanks!
Daisy.