When distributing coupon codes on Shopify, have you ever wanted to save customers the trouble of typing in a code themselves?
By using a shareable link, you can direct customers to your site with the coupon code already applied automatically. A shareable link can be generated in either URL format or QR code format, making it a convenient feature for a wide range of scenarios—announcing campaigns on social media, sending emails, printing on in-store materials or scanning at POS, influencer marketing, and more.
This article explains, step by step with actual screenshots, how to create a shareable link on Shopify.
What Is a Shareable Link?
A shareable link is a special link used with Shopify discount codes and marketing campaigns. This feature can generate output in two formats—URL format or QR code format—and using this link lets you do the following:
- Direct customers to a specific page (such as the homepage, a collection page, or a product page) with a coupon code automatically applied
- Easily promote a discount via social media, email, or landing pages
- Print a QR code on in-store posters, banners, or flyers for distribution
- Scan the QR code directly with Shopify POS to apply a discount at the register
- Make it easier to track a campaign's performance (understand which link traffic is coming from)
These links can be used in a wide range of applications, including marketing activities, influencer collaborations, product launches, and advertising.
Shareable Link Specifications
- A shareable link can be created from Shopify's discount feature.
- A shareable link can only be created for an active discount.
- For shipping discounts and order discounts, only a shareable link that redirects to the homepage can be created.
- For product discounts, a shareable link can be created that redirects not only to the homepage but also to the discounted product's (or collection's) page.
How to Create a Shareable Link
(1) Go to Shopify > Discounts
(2) Access the discount for which you want to create a shareable link
ℹ️ A shareable link can only be created for a discount with active status.
(3) Click "Promote"
(4) Click "Get shareable link"
(5) From the popup that appears, choose either URL format or QR code format
- URL format: Copy the URL to share via social media, email, ads, and more
- QR code format: Download the QR code image for use on printed materials or in-store POS
Testing
(1) Access the copied shareable link
(2) Add the discounted product to the cart
(3) Go to the cart page (or checkout page)
(4) Confirm that the coupon code has been automatically applied
Shareable Link Output Format: QR Code
Benefits of Distributing via QR Code Format
Starting in April 2026, shareable links also support output in QR code format in addition to the traditional URL format. This makes it possible to use them in the following scenarios as well:
[QR Code Format Use Cases]
- Print on in-store promotional materials or posters for customers to scan
- Scan directly with Shopify POS (apply the discount instantly using a camera or barcode scanner)
- Embed in social media posts (Instagram Stories, TikTok, etc.)
- Include a QR code image in a newsletter
- Print on flyers, direct mail, posters, and other printed materials
- Display on in-store digital signage
- Use alongside the traditional URL format (to accommodate environments where QR codes can't be scanned)
In-Store Use: Scanning with Shopify POS
Store staff can scan the QR code directly using Shopify POS.
- Scanning method: The device's camera or an external barcode scanner
- Benefit: Eliminates manual entry errors and speeds up checkout, also improving the customer experience.
Extended Feature of Shareable Links: Automatically Adding Products in Addition to Applying a Discount
By using Shopify's "cart permalink feature," you can share a link with customers that has a specific product already added to the cart in advance, with the coupon code automatically applied as well.
For example, clicking a link created with the cart permalink feature can automatically add a specific product to the cart and apply a 10% discount coupon, taking the customer directly to the checkout page.
For detailed instructions on creating a Shopify cart permalink, please refer to the blog article below.
An Alternative to Shareable Links: Automatic Discounts Based on Conditions
Using the Shopify app "RuffRuff Order Bonus," you can automatically apply a discount whenever a set condition is met, without having to issue or share a shareable link with customers at all.
Consider this as a way to reduce the effort required from both the store operator and the customer.
RuffRuff Order Bonus
RuffRuff Order Bonus lets you implement all sorts of discount campaigns based on virtually any condition. No coupon code entry is required—discounts are automatically applied whenever conditions are met.
For example, you can run discounts such as:
- Free shipping for VIP members only
- Discounts by membership rank
- Volume discounts
- Discounts when a specific product is included
- Discounts for customers with 10 or more past purchases
- First-come, first-served discounts (20% OFF for the first 10 customers)
and more.
Many other discount campaigns are also possible. For details, check the service page via the button below.
In Closing
By making use of both the URL and QR code formats of shareable links, you can efficiently distribute discounts across virtually any marketing channel, whether online or offline.
Since shareable links support both URL format and QR code format, they can be used in the following kinds of scenarios.
If you're looking for an even more efficient discounting system, also consider the Shopify app "RuffRuff Order Bonus," which automatically applies discounts based on set conditions. It reduces effort for both customers and store operators, providing a smoother purchasing experience.
Digital Channels
- Social media campaigns: Share the URL or post a QR code image on Twitter or Instagram
- Email marketing: Send a URL link or QR code image to existing customers
- Influencer collaborations: Provide a link or QR code with a dedicated discount code automatically applied
- Ad delivery: Direct traffic straight from search or display ads
In-Store and Print Channels
- In-store promotion: A QR code printed on posters or banners, scanned with Shopify POS
- Print media: A QR code printed on flyers, direct mail, or posters
- Digital signage: A QR code displayed on an in-store digital sign
Combined Use
- Since you can use the QR code format in environments where the URL format isn't practical, and vice versa, you can reach a wider range of customers
Make use of shareable links to run effective, omnichannel marketing activities.
