How can I limit Shopify discount codes to specific customers?

[Sortafast]

Hello, 

I am having an issue with Shopify discount codes. I want the code to limit to specific customers and products. 

I figured out the products part I believe, I put all eligible items into a collection and applied that collection to the promotion. 

My issue is with limiting the code's use to specific customers. I tried changing the eligibility to specific customers I enter manually or to a customer segment I created. My issue is, in testing that code works for ALL customers. I went on a new device/browser and created a cart. That code works for anyone who has it. 

How do I limit the code to people I choose? Ideally I would like those accts to not have to use the code at all, but in my research I see that is not possible either. 

Thank you, 

Andy 

[Sophia]

Hey, Andy!

It sounds like you've set up your discount code correctly. The Specific customers setting works based on the customer email, so only the email addresses listed should be able to use the discount code.

I created a code in my test store with the same settings (specific collection and specific customer), and it's working as expected. Here is a screenshot of my settings so you can compare with yours:

In this example, I added only one customer with the email test@test.com. At checkout, the code works for this email address, but isn't valid when I enter a different email address. Let me know if you find any discrepancies between these settings and yours, and if you're able to get the code working for only the customers on your list.

[Sortafast]

When I tested mine. It allowed me to use it even as a guest. Basically anyone with the code could see the discount. 

It’s my understanding I can’t build this discount into their profile, correct? I have to use a code? 

[Sophia]

That's correct—within the Shopify admin, discounts cannot be added directly to a customer profile, but rather are created under the Discounts section and assigned to specific customers from there.

Were you able to double check your discount code settings to see if there were any discrepancies?

[Sortafast]

Am I correct that the only way to give specific customers or segments a discount is through a code? Or is there a way to have them see their pricing when they login. 

In my research it seems the only way I can do this is through an app? 

[Sophia]

Yes, that's correct. Within the Shopify admin, the only way to offer discounts to specific customers is through a discount code.

For a more personalized customer experience upon login, you might need one of the wholesale apps or loyalty and rewards apps.

Does your store have wholesale customers?

[Sortafast]

Yes, I need the ability to give special pricing to resellers/wholesale and to brand ambassadors. 

I would prefer to not have to use a code. But my research showed I would have to if I didn’t want to use an app. 

but, my testing of using a code let anyone with that code get a discount. Even when I tagged that code with a specific person or customer segment. 

[Sophia]

When you enter the code at checkout, are you entering an email address? The code might appear to be working at first, but if you enter an email address that is not on the list of customers approved for that discount, a message should pop up at checkout letting you know that the code isn't valid.

The settings in my screenshot above will work for specific customers only. If you're noticing that your code works for any email address, please contact our team via the Shopify Help Center so we can investigate.

[Sortafast]

I hadn’t gone all the way through checkout. Just far enough that I actually saw the discount. Which admittedly discouraged me enough to look for another solution. 

[Sophia]

No problem—this is something our team can look into if you contact us securely via the Shopify Help Center. That way, we'll be able to review your discount code settings and troubleshoot to find out why it isn't applying to specific customers only.

[SevSolutions]

Hi @Sortafast — you're on the right track, but you're also running into one of the common limitations of Shopify's native discount system.

Even though Shopify lets you restrict a discount code to specific customers or segments, the discount itself isn’t visible anywhere on the storefront—it’s only applied if the customer manually enters the code at checkout and is logged in. This can create confusion and lead to situations where people think the code didn’t work, or worse, share the code with others who aren't eligible.

A better option would be using something like Klip Coupons: Sales and Discounts, which makes the discount both targeted and visible—directly on the product page, collection page, or even in the cart.

Here’s how the two options compare:

In Shopify, to target a discount to specific customers:

Go to Discounts in your admin, click Create Discount.

Choose a discount type (e.g. code or automatic).

Under Customer eligibility, choose Specific customers.

You can either select customer emails manually or use customer segments.

 

Share the code directly with your intended customers.

The downside: the discount isn’t shown until checkout, and the customer has to enter it manually.

With Klip, you get the same targeting options—specific emails, tags, or even all logged-in customers—but the discount is shown directly on the storefront. Customers just click to apply it—no code needed, no confusion.

So if you’re running targeted promotions and want a better experience for your customers (and less support overhead), Klip is the smoother option.