What does 'Extensively' mean in unknown referrer sources?

Shopify Discussion
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1

Hi!

What is “Extensively” the name of the referrer_source visitors when categorized as Unknown? Any thoughts? A media platform? Please help!

2

Hi @NatHypo

I totally get why you’re asking this—seeing “Extensively” as the referrer_source under “Unknown” in your Shopify analytics can be pretty confusing. You’re probably wondering if it’s a media platform, a bot, or something else entirely.

What Does “Extensively” Mean in Referrer Sources?

When visitors land on your store, Shopify tries to track where they came from. But sometimes, when Shopify can’t identify the exact source, it categorizes them as “Unknown” and assigns a referrer label like “Extensively.”

Here’s why this happens:

  1. Traffic from sources without a referrer header – If someone comes from a private browsing mode, a secure app (like Instagram or WhatsApp), or an email link, Shopify might not be able to track the exact source.
  2. Direct traffic that Shopify struggles to categorize – If a user types your URL manually or clicks a link that doesn’t pass referral data, Shopify groups it under “Unknown.”
  3. Masked traffic from third-party services – Some platforms (like certain ad networks, proxies, or VPNs) obscure referral data, and Shopify replaces it with labels like “Extensively” instead of leaving it blank.
  4. Potential bot traffic – In some cases, automated bots crawling your site might appear under “Unknown” sources, though this isn’t always the case.

Is “Extensively” a Media Platform?

No, “Extensively” isn’t an actual media platform. It’s just a placeholder name Shopify uses for unidentified traffic sources. If you’re running ads or sharing links across different channels, it’s worth double-checking your UTM tracking to get clearer insights into where your visitors are coming from.

How to Get More Accurate Tracking?

Use UTM parameters: When sharing links (especially in emails, social media, or ads), add UTM tracking so Shopify can correctly categorize visitors. Example:

https://yourstore.com/?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=winter_sale

  • Check your Shopify Reports: Go to Analytics > Reports > Sessions by Referrer and filter through different traffic sources to see if there’s a pattern.
  • Look at Google Analytics: If you’re using GA4, check under Acquisition Reports to see if there’s additional data about where traffic is coming from.

If you need extra help, just let me know asap. Thanks
Daisy.

3

Hi @BWBoss

I totally get your frustration—this situation sounds incredibly confusing and frustrating, especially with Shopify Payments shutting down your portal without much clarity. Let’s break this down so you can understand what’s happening and what your next steps could be.

Why Shopify Payments Banned Loose Gemstones

Shopify Payments (which is powered by Stripe) has strict terms regarding what can and cannot be sold. They prohibit items that hold intrinsic financial value—which includes loose gemstones, gold, and other high-value items that function similarly to currency. Their reasoning is that these items are not just retail products but can be used as investment assets, which puts them into a higher-risk category for fraud, chargebacks, and money laundering.

Now, here’s the frustrating part: this rule only applies to Shopify Payments, not Shopify as a platform. This means that while you can sell loose gemstones on Shopify, you just can’t use Shopify Payments as your payment processor for those products.

Why Are Other Shops Selling Gemstones?

You’re right—there are plenty of other stores selling loose gemstones on Shopify. However, there’s a high chance they are:

  1. Using alternative payment processors like PayPal, Authorize.net, or a direct bank transfer method.
  2. Operating under the radar until Shopify detects and enforces the policy.
  3. Selling gemstones bundled into jewelry—which seems to be allowed under Shopify Payments.

Also, third-party apps like “Unbridealed” might be operating under different terms, or the businesses using them haven’t been flagged yet. Shopify’s enforcement can be inconsistent, but once they do detect a violation, they shut it down hard, as you’ve seen.

Why Did Microsoft Ban You Too?

Big platforms like Microsoft (and even Facebook, Google, etc.) have automated risk assessments. If Shopify Payments flagged your store, Microsoft likely did too—especially if Shopify Payments labeled it as an “egregious violation.” They probably assume you’re selling prohibited financial assets and didn’t even bother with a manual review. Unfortunately, once these platforms flag your account, appealing can be nearly impossible.

What You Can Do Next1. Remove loose gemstones from Shopify Payments but keep selling them

  • Use an alternative payment provider (like PayPal, Sezzle, Klarna, or a high-risk processor like Durango Merchant Services).
  • Keep selling loose gemstones, just without Shopify Payments.

  1. If you want Shopify Payments back, make a new store category

    • Remove all loose gemstones and only sell finished jewelry using Shopify Payments.
    • If needed, create a separate Shopify store or website (on another platform like WooCommerce) specifically for loose gemstones.

  2. Appeal Microsoft’s decision—but be careful

    • If you contact them, avoid mentioning gemstones directly. Instead, focus on jewelry and watches.
    • If your Microsoft appeal is permanently denied, consider opening a new account under a different business name and email.

Final Thoughts

Shopify isn’t against gemstones, just loose ones due to payment processing policies. Your best bet is to either separate your gemstone business from Shopify Payments or move to a more flexible platform for those products. If you need more details on setting up alternative payment methods, I can walk you through it!

If you need extra help, just let me know asap. Thanks!
Daisy.