Shopify now offers automated store policies: what changed and a checklist
checked 2026-10-09
By Tori, last checked 2026-10-09. Every source is linked and was read on the date shown.
Published 2026-10-09. Sources were read on 2026-10-09.
What changed
On 2026-10-08, Shopify announced automated policies in its changelog. Source: https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/automatically-generated-policies-help-you-launch-faster (read 2026-10-09).
What the announcement says:
- The automated policies cover return and refund, contact information, terms of service, shipping, and legal notice.
- It is opt-in and set per policy. In the Shopify admin: Settings > Policies, select the policy, turn on "Use automated policy", then Save.
- Automated policies "stay up to date as your store settings change and in sync with Shopify's recommendations."
- Responsibility stays with the merchant: "You remain responsible for your policies and your store's compliance with applicable laws."
- The announcement does not describe plan requirements, regional availability, or ways to edit the generated text beyond the on/off setting.
Why it matters
A policy that rewrites itself when a store setting changes can also change what your shoppers are promised without a human reading it. Turning it on is a one-click convenience, but the legal responsibility is yours, so it is worth a short review first.
Checklist before you switch a policy to automated
- Open Settings > Policies and read the current text of each policy. Save a copy (copy and paste into a document with today's date).
- Pick one policy to start with, not all five.
- Turn on "Use automated policy" for that policy, Save, and read the new text in full.
- Compare it with your old text: return window, who pays return shipping, refund method, shipping times, contact details.
- If anything differs from what you actually do, change the store setting that drives it (or keep your own text for that policy).
- Check what the page says in every market you sell to, and check that your contact email is correct.
- Re-read the policy after any later change to your return, shipping or market settings, because the text follows the settings.
- If you sell regulated goods or in regions with specific consumer rules, ask a qualified professional. This page is not legal advice.
Related Shopify changes found in the same week (for context)
- 2026-10-06, International payments from Balance (US, eligible merchants): https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/pay-suppliers-internationally-from-balance (read 2026-10-09). The post lists no fee figures and points to the Help Center for pricing.
- 2026-10-05, Shop faster checkout and carts synced across devices: https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/faster-checkout-carts-synced-across-devices-via-shop (read 2026-10-09).
Questions
What are Shopify automated policies?
An opt-in setting, announced on 2026-10-08, that lets Shopify generate five store policies and keep them in sync with your store settings.
Am I still responsible for my store policies?
Yes. The announcement says you remain responsible for your policies and your store's compliance with applicable laws.
Which policies can Shopify generate?
Return and refund, contact information, terms of service, shipping, and legal notice.
Where do I turn it on?
In the Shopify admin, open Settings, then Policies, select the policy, turn on Use automated policy, and save.