What is the _shopify_tm cookie?
_shopify_tm is a cookie automatically placed by the Shopify e-commerce platform on stores running on its infrastructure. It typically appears on a visitor's first interaction with the store, alongside other Shopify-specific cookies.
It belongs to the internal set of cookies Shopify uses to support traffic and browsing behavior analysis within the store. It is set by Shopify as the technical provider, not directly by the site owner.
What data it stores
The cookie stores technical session-related information used internally by Shopify to correlate traffic events. The exact value format is not publicly documented by Shopify and may vary.
The data is sent to Shopify's infrastructure, which processes it to generate usage statistics available to the store owner.
What it is used for
Its main purpose is to help distinguish and track visitors over a short period, allowing Shopify to provide analytics on traffic sources and shopper behavior within the store.
For the site owner, this information can feed into traffic reports in the Shopify dashboard, useful for evaluating marketing campaign performance.
Does it require consent?
As a cookie used for analytics/statistics purposes, _shopify_tm is not strictly necessary for the site's basic functioning and, under the ePrivacy Directive (as implemented locally) and GDPR, requires the visitor's prior consent before being set.
The owner of a Shopify store must list it in the cookie policy under the statistics category and ensure it is not set automatically before consent is obtained.
How to block or delete _shopify_tm
A visitor can delete or block this cookie from their browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), in the section for managing site cookies and data.
- Site owners can use a CMP such as CookieFix, which automatically blocks Shopify statistics scripts until the visitor gives consent.
- It is recommended that this cookie be correctly classified in the consent banner to meet GDPR requirements.
Frequently asked questions
It's an HTTP cookie set by Shopify on online stores built with this platform, used for analyzing traffic and visitor behavior.
It typically lasts around 30 minutes, functioning as a short-term session cookie.
Yes, since it's classified as a statistics/analytics cookie, it requires prior consent under GDPR and applicable ePrivacy rules.
They can use a CMP that automatically blocks Shopify's analytics scripts, including this cookie, until the visitor accepts the statistics category.