Using the word 'Shopify' in a Google and YouTube ad campaign

Shopify Apps
1

We are a Shopify partner and we have developed a solution that allows a B2B or wholesale orders to be emailed directly into a Shopify or Shopify Plus store.

We have had some video ads created and we want to run a Google ppc campaign and use search terms such as

  • email sales orders into Shopify
  • upload PDF sales orders into Shopify
  • Shopify B2B sales order automation
  • etc.

We set up the campaigns but they have been suspended by Google because we are using the word ‘Shopify’.

We contacted Shopify Partner Support and got a nice email back part of which recommended contacting legal@shopify.com. So i asked them if, as a partner, we can use the word Shopify in a google ad to promote an app designed specifically for Shopify. The reply from legal, which is a classic, came back as

“We are unable to provide you with legal advice. We suggest seeking independent legal counsel for any further assistance or guidance you may require.”

I don’t want legal advise I just want to know if it is possible to use the word ‘Shopify’ in a Google ad campaign and not have Google block it.

If I do a search for just the word ‘Shopify’ there are ads that appear and they seem mainly to be for competitors of Shopify. So it seems competitors can somehow use the word Shopify but partners can’t.

I’m sure it must be possible and I’m sure Shopify wouldn’t stop their partners promoting products designed for their platform but can anyone tell me how?

2

Shopify, which is a trademarked name, can not be used in ads, unless the trademark owner sends a letter to Google allowing a specific Google Ads account to use the word Shopify.

So you need to contact Shopify to ask if they are willing to allow you to use the trademark.

I would think Shopify considers this on a case by case bases. So I recommend you give Shopify a strong case to allow you.

3

Hi Emmanunuel, thank you for taking the time to reply to my question.

I did write to Shopify Partner Support and they asked me to write to the Shopify legal team which I did but they came back saying they can’t give us any legal advise.

Any suggestions as to which Shopify department I need to contact to ask for the letter to be sent to Google?

4

Unfortunately I do not know.

5

Hi PDFDataNet. I have a similar question. It seems bizarre that Shopify would want to prevent partners from promoting their apps with Google Ads – which ultimately benefits the Shopify platform. This restriction is clearly stated in the Partner Agreement (twice). I assume they’re trying to protect how the brand is represented and they want full control over this.