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🔑 Grant Shopify Backend Access Without Sharing Passwords

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Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🎯 What This Article Covers

If you manage SEO for clients on Shopify, you may need backend access to install the OTTO SEO script without asking your client to share their username and password. This article explains the correct way to delegate Shopify admin access and complete the OTTO installation — no credentials sharing required.

🔐 How Shopify Access Delegation Works

Shopify provides a built-in feature called Collaborator Access (for Shopify Partners) and Staff Account Invitations (for direct team members). Both methods let a store owner grant backend access to a third party without ever sharing their login credentials.

  • Collaborator Access (Shopify Partners): Best for agencies and freelancers. The store owner approves access through a request link — no password is exchanged.
  • Staff Account Invitation: Best for direct team members. The store owner sends an email invite with specific permission scopes.

There is no white-label link that Search Atlas or OTTO generates on your behalf. Shopify controls this access delegation entirely within their own platform.

🛠️ Option 1 — Request Collaborator Access via Shopify Partners

Use this method if you or your agency has a Shopify Partner account.

  1. Log in to your Shopify Partners dashboard at partners.shopify.com.
  2. Go to Stores and click Add store.
  3. Select Request access to an existing store.
  4. Enter your client's store URL and choose the permissions you need (Themes and Online Store access is required for OTTO script installation).
  5. Submit the request. Your client will receive a notification in their Shopify admin and can approve it with one click — no password sharing needed.
  6. Once approved, you will see the store listed in your Partners dashboard and can access the Shopify admin directly.

👥 Option 2 — Staff Account Invitation

Use this method if you do not have a Shopify Partner account.

  1. Ask your client to log in to their Shopify admin.
  2. Go to Settings → Users and permissions → Add staff.
  3. Enter your email address and select the required permissions. At minimum, enable Online Store access so you can install the OTTO script.
  4. Click Send invite. You will receive an email to accept the invitation and set your own password.
  5. Once accepted, you can log in independently without ever needing the store owner's credentials.

🚀 Installing the OTTO SEO Script on Shopify

Once you have backend access to the Shopify store, follow these steps to install the OTTO script.

  1. In Search Atlas, go to OTTO SEO using the left sidebar.
  2. Select the site you want to activate OTTO on, or create a new one.
  3. Follow the on-screen installation guide for Shopify. You will be given a unique OTTO script snippet tied to your site.
  4. In the Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store → Themes → Edit code.
  5. Open the theme.liquid file and paste the OTTO script snippet just before the closing tag.
  6. Save the file. OTTO will verify the installation automatically within a few minutes.

You can also find your installation snippet at any time by going to the top-right avatar menu → Settings → CMS Connectors inside Search Atlas.

✅ Permissions Checklist Before You Start

  • Collaborator or staff access approved by the store owner
  • Online Store permission enabled (required to edit theme code)
  • OTTO site created and active in Search Atlas
  • OTTO script snippet copied from the Search Atlas installation guide

⚠️ Common Issues to Avoid

  • Do not ask clients to share their Shopify username and password — use delegation methods above instead.
  • If your client is on a Shopify Basic plan, staff account slots may be limited. Ask your client to check their plan limits before sending an invite.
  • Make sure you paste the OTTO script in theme.liquid and not in a section or page template — otherwise it will not load site-wide.
  • If the store uses a headless or custom Shopify setup, the script placement may differ. Contact support for guidance specific to your setup.

💬 Need More Help?

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.