The problem is that if you have let someone “fiddle” then it could be a mess. We did not find out for about 4 years when Google Ads blocked as for having no content on our product pages. The code we had put in our site just sped it up for Google Bot (perhaps even the Ads version - I cannot be sure) so that all the reports looked good but realistically, that was because Google could not see any page content other than the header and footer. If you have let someone add code to the site and your speed suddenly jumped than that is probably the way it was done and you need to remove the code! Lighthouse is a Google tool so checking it will see what Google sees, not what the world sees. I am not sure how you would verify things. Sorry I cannot shed more light on this for you.
Topic summary
A widespread scam has been identified where developers falsely optimize Shopify store speeds by inserting code that detects speed testing tools (Lighthouse, GTmetrix) and serves them empty pages, artificially inflating scores. The issue became apparent when Shopify stopped using Lighthouse for its speed calculations around August 2021.
How the scam works:
- Fraudulent code uses
document.writeanddocument.opencommands in theme.liquid files - Detects user agents for Chrome-Lighthouse, GTmetrix, and Linux platforms
- Serves blank content to testing tools while showing full content to regular visitors
- Results in high test scores but poor actual performance
Detection methods:
- Search theme files for
document.write/document.open(use Ctrl+G) - Check if PageSpeed Insights preview shows missing elements
- Use Shopify Theme File Search Chrome extension for comprehensive scanning
- Look for hexadecimal encoded strings (e.g.,
\x6E\x61\x76\x69\x67\x61\x74\x6F\x72)
Reported scammers:
Multiple users identified fraudulent developers on Fiverr and Shopify Expert Marketplace, with screenshots shared. Several victims reported the scam takes weeks and significant money to fix, as it damages store functionality. Some confronted scammers successfully obtained refunds, while Shopify is reportedly investigating cases.
Thanks! I just checked it and i’m scoring pretty low from my view.
I could see scores elsewhere of around 70 - but I would not worry about it at all. It is not going to get much faster than that! It is not in your control - all down to Shopify.
Thank you so much for your insight! That makes a lot of sense.
I’ve checked my store’s code and found the exact same fake speed optimization script from this seller. They’re using the “detect speed checkers and serve empty page” trick mentioned above. Profile of the seller is attached below
Fraudulent Scammers persons are using code document.write and document.open with hexadecimal encoded strings (e.g., \x6E\x61\x76\x69\x67\x61\x74\x6F\x72) But also using different code to provide FAKE SPOOF speed score.
They obfuscate the code so normal user can not detect it.
And they are more clever, They are using https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/ and https://github.com to host that scam code with name something like “carts.js” etc to Detects user agents for Chrome-Lighthouse, GTmetrix, Linux platforms etc and provide FAKE SPOOF speed, Fake LCP, FCP, SPEED Index score with Serves blank content to that testing tools while showing full content to regular visitors Results in high test scores but poor actual performance.
Even a good developer can not identify it.
Shopify must look into this matter.
And this SCAM is not in Shopify, It is widely spared on BigCommerce, CS Cart, CodeIgniter, PrestaShop, Laravel, ASP.Net, Shopify, Wordpress, ExpressionEngine, ClickFunnels, Weebly, WebFlow, WIX, SquareSpace, HubSpot, Drupal, Magento, Joomla, MODx, LightSpeed, Neto Maropost, OpenCart, Volusion, NopCommerce, Node/React JS and many more any types of websites.
I think, This FAKE SPOOF PageSpeed Performance Score is the all time BIGGEST SCAM in Website/Online Business industry. It is Number 1 SCAM.
Tons of websites are effected with this FAKE Website Speed Optimization SCAM.
Just contact to Fiverr support about it.
Upwork is also having full of fraudulent scammer persons that provide FAKE SPOOF SPEED of website
No they don’t, shopify is not responsible for the world, nor merchants bad decisions.
Such things are only relevant to shopify if the offenders are actual shopify partners and the connection is provable.
Cavet emptor, get what you pay for and all that.
If merchants are cheaping out hoping for magical quick fixes instead of building actual business process then that’s on the merchants.
When merchants make bad choices to go out of their way to harm their stores that’s the merchants problem to fix and seek external resolutions for.
Platform Y is not responsible for bad actors on Platform Z.
Anything else is false expectations and feigning outrage in place of just taking personal responsibility to engage with actual professional services.
Use common sense not greed to make decisions.
Another big scammer attempt I just faced. I want to report this seller. He pretended to be a “top rated” expert and offered the same service at a high price, but his work was completely fake. He used a random code to show a fake high speed score and almost destroyed my structure and Google performance.
I also talked with other sellers, and they confirmed this seller has given misleading feedback to others as well. Whenever a buyer takes services from someone else, he tries to claim all other sellers are wrong just to push his own service.
He has even left negative feedback for multiple sellers from what seems like fake accounts. Please avoid him this is one of the most dishonest sellers I’ve seen.
I am a Shopify developer, and I build websites professionally for my clients. You tried to mislead my buyer by using fake code, and as a developer myself, I easily identified it. A normal buyer would never be able to catch this, which makes your actions very serious.
They tried to damage my client’s website and mislead him just to promote your own service. This behavior is harmful and unprofessional.
I’m reporting this issue as well.
It is Not only with Shopify, It is with all types of platforms for example WordPress, Prestashop, WIX, SquareSpace, BigCommerce, Shopify and many more…
Many person, apps, plugins, extensions, modules are involve in this website fake speed scam..
This Fake website speed optimization is pernicious world’s No #1 SCAM damage every web/internet business industry. see this:
This is a very serious disease problem and it has spread across all types of platforms websites.
Website owner also responsible for this because they not pay reasonable price, they pay cheap $50-$200 price and trap in this scam.
If a Website Genuine speed optimizer demanding reasonable $500-$1000 then website owner reject it and choose cheap price service provider/app. and in lat what get? get fake speed.
Educate websites owners that pay reasonable price for Genuine website speed optimization task.
Always hire website Genuine speed optimizer.
@Amit16 it’s funny because most these “avoid scams choose me” posts are usually scammers themselves…. It’s a common tactic that scammers use to trick people. Kind of like the crypto recovery posts.
@Maximus3 It could be true, but No problem the website code will expose all the scammers, If a website is receiving fake speed.
Report such individuals on their freelance platforms.
Not only fiverr. upwork also have full of scammer freelancers those providing fake speed optimization service of website.
Another things, they are targeting any types of website platform for example WordPress, PrestaShop, BigCommerce, Joomla, static, WIX, WebFlow and all other website.
They are using latest new tricks, techniques and shortcuts for Fake speed optimization of website, that no one can identify fake speed optimization. If Normal user or developer check it they they will pass it and will not identify it.
Only expert freelancer/coder only tell you if your website getting Fake speed or True speed. And it takes some time, because it is hard to identify new techniques and tricks.
Website speed optimization is World’s most complex tough task.
It is not as copy paste code from other, apply code files, install speed optimization plugins, apps, extensions, modules etc.
“Real Speed of Website need Real Efforts, Real Mind, Real Expertise.”
“Only trusted real person can provide you Genuine True page speed performance of your website.”