A merchant attempted to add dynamic links to their order confirmation email footer that would display shipping and return policies in a pop-up window, similar to the checkout experience. They used code suggested by Shopify’s AI assistant: <a href="{{ shop.refund_policy_url }}">Refund Policy</a>, but it didn’t work.
Current workaround: Using static URLs that link directly to policy pages on their website, though this opens new browser tabs.
Key issues identified:
The AI assistant provided misleading information about implementing pop-ups in emails
Pop-ups in email are considered spam-like behavior and not standard practice
The suggested Liquid variable shop.refund_policy_url may not exist or function as described
Opening links in new tabs is the expected and appropriate email behavior
Resolution status: The discussion clarified that the merchant’s expectations were based on AI misinformation. The standard approach of using static URLs that open in new tabs is the correct solution. The merchant was advised to verify technical information from actual documentation rather than relying solely on AI-generated suggestions.
Summarized with AI on November 1.
AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
I’ve already reached out to shopify and received the usual ‘this is beyond the scope of shopify, we suggest you hire an expert’ so thought maybe someone here has code that worked for them. I’m trying to add dynamic links to the footer of my order confirmation email that will open my shipping and return policies. This did not work:
For now I’m using regular links that redirect to the corresponding policy page on my site but this isn’t ideal as it opens a new browser tab and forces user to leave email.
It’s a platform they can’t be everything and do everything for every single business for over a MILLION merchants.
If your usually getting “beyond the scope of shopify” responses that’s a landmine clue to re-evaluate your expectations of what one company can provide and fix how you go about solving problems.
If the domains not going to be changing constantly there’s nothing wrong with a static url.
That’s a good thing, that’s how it’s supposed to work, don’t steal users focus by navigating the current window/tab unexpectedly.
Do you expect businesses be able to make peoples email client CLOSE just to go to a website.
Do you expect everyone’s email client to behave the way yours does when testing an email.
The instructions for adding the dynamic links were provided to me by shopify’s AI assistant as the first (thus I assume preferred) solution and one that their AI specifically referred to as providing a seamless experience for the user.
The second solution (to navigate to my website’s policy pages) was the “workaround” so I got the impression that the first
solution was the norm and working for most shopify merchants.
I assumed the dynamic link would work the same way it works in shopify’s checkout where if you click on the return policy a pop up window appears which you can scroll to read but which doesn’t navigate you away. I figured if it was suggested by their AI and working that way for other merchants, it would be very nice to have. You give me the impression that the result would be something else entirely in which case maybe my ask IS ridiculous.