CartWatchFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about CartWatch.
Getting Started
- How do I install CartWatch?
- CartWatch is available on the Shopify App Store. Search for CartWatch, click Install, and approve the requested permissions. CartWatch connects to your store via OAuth and begins monitoring checkouts immediately.
- Do I need to configure anything after installing?
- CartWatch works out of the box. By default it detects bots and tags them in Shopify. You can optionally connect Klaviyo or Omnisend in Settings to enable automatic email suppression.
- What Shopify permissions does CartWatch require?
- CartWatch requests read access to checkouts (via webhooks) and read/write access to customers so it can apply the CARTWATCH_FLAGGED_BOT tag to detected bot accounts.
- Will CartWatch slow down my checkout?
- No. CartWatch processes checkout events asynchronously via webhooks. It has zero impact on your storefront's load time or checkout performance.
Bot Detection
- What does CartWatch consider a bot?
- CartWatch scores each checkout using a combination of behavioral signals (disposable email patterns, suspicious address data), email validation via ZeroBounce, and US address intelligence via Smarty. Checkouts that score above the detection threshold are classified as bots.
- How does CartWatch score checkouts?
- Each checkout is scored in real time as webhooks arrive from Shopify. CartWatch evaluates email quality, address validity, and other behavioral signals. Each signal contributes to a composite score — if it crosses the bot threshold, the checkout is flagged.
- What happens when CartWatch flags a checkout as a bot?
- CartWatch tags the Shopify customer account with CARTWATCH_FLAGGED_BOT, logs the detection with all scoring signals for your review, and — if connected — suppresses the email address in Klaviyo and/or Omnisend.
- What does the CARTWATCH_FLAGGED_BOT tag do?
- The tag is applied to the Shopify customer record. You can use it to exclude tagged customers from abandoned cart flows, segments, and marketing lists. It acts as a persistent signal that the account was identified as a bot.
- Can CartWatch make mistakes and flag real customers?
- CartWatch is designed to be conservative, but no detection system is perfect. Every flagged checkout is logged with its full scoring context so you can review decisions. If you believe a real customer was flagged, you can remove the tag manually in Shopify.
- What if a flagged checkout is later updated by a real customer?
- CartWatch monitors checkout updates. If a checkout that was previously flagged receives a fresher update that scores below the threshold, CartWatch automatically reverses its actions: it removes the Shopify tag and unsuppresses the profile in Klaviyo and Omnisend.
Klaviyo & Omnisend
- How do I connect Klaviyo?
- In CartWatch Settings, click Connect Klaviyo. You'll be redirected through Klaviyo's OAuth flow. Once connected, CartWatch automatically suppresses detected bot profiles in Klaviyo whenever a bot is flagged.
- How do I connect Omnisend?
- In CartWatch Settings, click Connect Omnisend. You'll be redirected through Omnisend's OAuth flow. Once connected, CartWatch automatically suppresses detected bot profiles in Omnisend whenever a bot is flagged.
- What does suppressing a profile in Klaviyo or Omnisend do?
- Suppression marks the email address as unsubscribed in your email platform. This prevents the address from receiving any marketing emails, including abandoned cart recovery flows — so fake sessions never trigger recovery sends.
- Does CartWatch unsuppress profiles if a bot determination is reversed?
- Yes. If CartWatch reverses a bot flag because a real customer updated the checkout, it automatically unsuppresses the profile in Klaviyo and Omnisend as well.
Billing & Plans
- Is CartWatch free?
- CartWatch has a free plan that includes a set number of bot detections per billing period. Paid plans unlock higher detection limits. You can view plan details and upgrade in the app under Plan.
- What happens when I reach my plan's detection limit?
- CartWatch continues to detect and log bot checkouts, but stops taking automated actions (tagging and suppression) for the remainder of the billing period. Each checkout over the limit is recorded with limit_reached so you have full visibility.
- How do I upgrade my CartWatch plan?
- Go to the Plan page inside the CartWatch app. Select a plan and confirm — billing is handled through Shopify's standard app billing system.