--- title: Guidelines description: > Guidelines and requirements for building and submitting Shop Minis. These guidelines ensure a safe, reliable experience for buyers, merchants, and partners. api_name: shop-minis source_url: html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shop-minis/guidelines' md: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shop-minis/guidelines.md' --- # Guidelines Guidelines and requirements for building and submitting Shop Minis. These guidelines ensure a safe, reliable experience for buyers, merchants, and partners. *** ## Introduction We're excited you're here and want to help you build the next big commerce experience using the Shop Minis SDK. Our team is readily available to answer questions, provide feedback, and help you succeed building your Mini through the [Shop Minis forum](https://community.shopify.dev/c/shop-minis/33). Our goal for buyers, merchants, and partners is to ensure a safe, reliable experience while using Minis, so we've detailed a set of guidelines we enforce during the submission and review process. The following requirements are used to review all Shop Minis submitted for approval to be distributed through the Shop app. They are intended to provide the best experience across the entire Shop Mini lifecycle, from branding to installation, onboarding, functionality, and quality. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the review process is as quick as possible when you submit your own Shop Mini. These requirements are subject to change. Your Shop Mini will be expected to meet any new requirements that are added here with reasonable notice. Shopify can withhold its approval, reject, or remove a Shop Mini from the Shop app at its sole discretion. *** ## General guidelines * Shop Minis must be built using our developer platform, the Shop Minis SDK, and other Shop Mini-specific functionality that is made available to developers from time to time. * The Shop Minis SDK cannot be used to build anything other than a Shop Mini. * Shopify periodically deprecates and removes functionality from the Shop Minis platform. Your Shop Mini may only use supported functionality. If your Shop Mini relies on deprecated functionality, we will notify you to submit a new version within a reasonable timeframe. * Shop Minis must only fetch merchant/product data using the SDK. * If you integrate with a third-party service, you must comply with their terms of use and ensure that they also comply with the Shop Minis Terms, particularly concerning Shop Merchant or Shop User data. You are responsible for making sure everything in your Shop Mini complies with the Shop Minis Terms and these guidelines, so please review and choose them carefully. * Shopify reserves the right to enable Merchants to restrict or revoke Shop Mini developers' access to their Merchant Materials. * Shop Minis may only make network calls to approved hosts within the viewer. * A Mini must function solely within the Shop app; it cannot be a standalone app that operates outside of the Shop. * Shop Minis that include user-generated images must use the [useCreateImageContent](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shop-minis/hooks/content/usecreateimagecontent) hook to ensure images are moderated. * Shop Minis including video, audio, or public commenting, must share detailed, established moderation practices as part of your submission description and will face additional review scrutiny. Developers should ensure the content follows the [Shop Content Policy](https://shop.app/content-policies). *** ## Prohibited practices and functionality ### Practices * Minis must not violate the [Shop Minis Terms](https://shop.app/minis/terms), the [Partner Program Agreement](https://www.shopify.com/partners/terms), the [Shopify API License and Terms of Use](https://www.shopify.com/legal/api-terms), or our [Shop Content Policy](https://shop.app/content-policies). * Minis must not use the words 'Shop' or 'Mini' in their name. * Minis cannot violate any terms, conditions, or guidelines imposed by relevant third-party platforms (such as Apple App Store Guidelines or Google Play Store Policies) that are applicable to applications distributed or operating within their ecosystems, particularly concerning prohibited content, payments, or user safety. * Minis cannot introduce any malicious software to the Shopify API or the Service (including the Shop app). * Shop Minis must not link externally from within the viewer. Prohibited link outs include (but are not limited to) links to websites, other applications, or any stores. * Minis cannot use dark UX patterns or include any other malicious activities toward users. ### Functionality * Shop Minis may not allow users to communicate with each other through direct messaging, or other 1:1 means of communication. * Shop Minis cannot run advertisements. * Shop Minis cannot livestream user generated content. * All user generated images must use the [useCreateImageContent](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shop-minis/hooks/content/usecreateimagecontent) hook. *** ## Checkout & fees * Developers cannot charge users fees for their use of their Shop Mini. * Shop Minis may only use the Minis SDK to navigate to the shopping cart and checkout. Any payment processing (e.g., refunds) must go through Shop Pay. * Shop Minis must not sell anything other than items made available in Shop's product catalog. *** ## Performance * Shop Minis should be performant for buyers on the Shop app; please ensure yours has undergone any relevant testing and monitoring to avoid any lag that might be noticeable. * We require that the loading time of your Shop Mini, from when the user taps on the entry point until the user can start interacting with the content in your Shop Mini viewer, should be no longer than 3 seconds as measured on a 5G connection. * Minis must not exceed 5 MB in size. *** ## Data privacy * You should exercise care when handling Shop User Data to ensure you've complied with privacy best practices, applicable laws, and the Shop Minis Terms. * Shop Minis must include the URL of their privacy policy in the manifest. The privacy policy must clearly and explicitly state what data is collected and how it is used, explain the purposes for which the data is being processed, and how users may request deletion of that data. Your privacy policy must comply with the Shop Minis Terms, applicable laws, and these guidelines. * Shop Minis should only request access to data relevant to the core functionality of the app and should only collect and use data required to accomplish the relevant task. * Shop Minis must respect the user's permission settings and not attempt to manipulate, trick, or force people to consent to unnecessary data access. * Developers can't access any Shop user data outside of what we make available (i.e., approved data fields we will share via the SDK) and what may specifically be permissible to request directly from a user (i.e., access to camera/photos). * Developers cannot ask users for any other data directly (e.g., email addresses; payment card data; shipping or billing addresses; sensitive or health-related data of a Shop User). You must not use Shop User Data for: * Tracking user behavior across different contexts * Creating targeted advertising * Monetizing data through third parties * User profiling beyond your Mini's authorized functionality or * Selling or licensing user data to others. *** ## Merchant materials * Only use Merchant Materials for the purpose of the Shop Mini. * Shop Minis cannot manipulate merchant or product information, such as product names or prices. Minis cannot manipulate other screens on Shop. * Developers can't use Merchant Materials (i.e., product listings, logos, images) for anything other than their Shop Mini. They can't export, share, or use this data outside of the Mini. See 4b in the Terms of Service for further details. * Minis must not display merchants' products in a negative light. *** ## Violations and enforcement * **Immediate rejection** - Security violations, privacy violations, legal non-compliance, prohibited functionality, performance issues, or missing documentation. Fix issues and resubmit. * **Permanent removal** - Shopify reserves the right to permanently remove any Mini at its sole discretion for repeated violations or severe misconduct. * **No appeals** - All decisions are final as required by law. *** ## Updating your mini Every time you update your Mini, the Shopify team will review your code and approve or reject any changes based on the guidelines above. ***