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Commerce marketingReviewed September 7, 2026

What is Subscriptions?

An ecommerce subscription is a purchase arrangement that creates repeat orders on an agreed schedule instead of requiring a new checkout each time.

Who this applies to#

  • Use subscriptions when a shopper knowingly agrees to recurring purchases or access

What Subscriptions requires#

  • Show the recurring terms and let the shopper understand the schedule before purchase
Shopify

Shopify treats subscriptions as a purchase option configured through a subscription app

What this does not require#

  • A subscription does not require every product or customer to use the same delivery schedule

Common mistakes#

  1. Hiding the renewal schedule until after checkout
  2. Treating repeat purchases as proof of subscription consent

Subscriptions checklist#

  • State the cadence
  • State how changes and cancellations work
  • Keep one-time purchase terms distinct

Official sources#