How To Add Breadcrumbs In Shopify (New Guide 2025)

Have you ever clicked through to a product page, gotten lost, and hit the back button too many times? Your customers do too, unless you guide them with breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs in Shopify are more than just a nice little design element; they’re a powerhouse for user experience and SEO. These simple navigation links let visitors know where they are on your site, making it easy to retrace their steps and reducing bounce rates. Plus, Google loves well-structured breadcrumb trails.

But Shopify doesn’t include breadcrumbs by default in every theme. Don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll cover the latest How to Add Breadcrumbs in Shopify from drag-and-drop to manual customization. Help your customers find their way—one step at a time.

Overview of  Shopify Breadcrumb

What is Shopify Breadcrumb?

Shopify breadcrumbs are a navigational aid displayed as a horizontal trail of clickable links, usually near the top of a webpage that helps users understand where they are within your store’s hierarchy. Think of them as a virtual GPS: they map the journey from the homepage all the way to the current product or collection page.

For example, a breadcrumb path in a Shopify store might look like:

• Home > Collections > Dog Food > Organic Puppy Kibble

Each link in the trail acts as a shortcut, allowing visitors to easily hop back to a broader category without relying on the browser’s back button or your main navigation menu.

Types of Shopify Breadcrumbs

Shopify provides users with multiple breadcrumb options but their usage depends on how customers behave on the store along with the shop setup. Let’s break them down:

Hierarchy-Based Breadcrumb Navigation

This is the most common and SEO-friendly type of breadcrumb. It displays the site’s structure from the homepage down to the current page, reflecting how your store is organized.

• Example: Home > Clothing > Men’s > Blue Jeans

These breadcrumbs give users a clear path and help them backtrack through the fixed category structure. Ideal for stores with well-defined collections and subcollections.

Attribute-Based Breadcrumb Navigation

These breadcrumbs show filters or product attributes that a user has selected during their shopping journey.

• Example: Home > Shoes > Size 10 > Black

Perfect for stores with lots of product variations—like fashion, electronics, or furniture where shoppers narrow down items by size, color, or features.

Path-Based (History-Based) Breadcrumb Navigation

Unlike the others, these breadcrumbs reflect the exact steps a user took to land on a page.

• Example: Home > Search > Product Page

While Shopify sometimes defaults to this style, it’s less reliable for SEO because the path depends on individual user behavior rather than your site structure. They’re more about convenience than consistency.

Why Add Breadcrumbs to Your Shopify Store?

Improves User Experience with Clear Navigation

Users can see where they are in the site hierarchy thanks to breadcrumbs (e.g., Home > Category > Subcategory > Product). This clarity helps customers navigate complex stores, especially those with many categories or subcategories, reducing confusion and making it easy to backtrack to parent pages without relying on the browser’s back button or main menu.

Example: REI

On a hiking boot product page, REI shows breadcrumbs like “Home > Men’s Footwear > Hiking Boots,” helping users easily backtrack to related categories. This aids navigation, gives context, and encourages more browsing and purchases.

Reduces Bounce Rates by Enhancing Usability

Breadcrumbs help users navigate seamlessly so they remain on your site longer periods. Easy accessibility between related products and categories decreases user frustration leading to decreased shopping cart abandonment. This is critical for Shopify stores with deep hierarchies, where users might otherwise feel lost.

Example: ASOS

On a dress product page, ASOS uses breadcrumbs like “Home > Women > Dresses > Party Dresses,” helping users explore related categories easily. This keeps them engaged, reduces bounce rates, and boosts conversions.

Boosts SEO with Internal Links

Breadcrumbs create internal links to parent categories, helping search engines understand your site’s structure and hierarchy. These links distribute page authority across your site, improving the ranking potential of category pages. Through Google search results breadcrumbs help your site appear more appealing so users are likely to click on it.

Example: Wayfair

Wayfair uses breadcrumbs like “Home > Furniture > Sofas” on product pages, helping users navigate and aiding Google in indexing category pages, boosting SEO and click-through rates.

Methods to Add Breadcrumbs in Shopify

Using Liquid Codes

Using Liquid code means manually inserting Shopify’s templating language (.liquid) into your theme to generate breadcrumbs. This lets you build dynamic breadcrumbs that automatically adapt to pages like product, collection, blog, or article templates.

Who Is It For?

• Store owners who are comfortable editing code
• Developers or DIY users who want custom breadcrumb behavior or styling
• Anyone using a theme that doesn’t support breadcrumbs natively
• Users who prefer a free, flexible solution over apps

Steps to Add Breadcrumbs Using Liquid Codes

Step 1: Access Your Theme Code

• Go to Shopify Admin > Online Store > Themes
• Choose your live theme and click Actions > Edit code

Step 2: Create a Snippet

• In the Snippets folder, click Add a new snippet
• Name it “breadcrumbs” (or something similar)
• Click Done

Step 3: Paste the Liquid Code

• In your new breadcrumbs.liquid snippet, paste this code:

Step 4: Add the Snippet to Your Theme Layout

• Open layout/theme.liquid
• Paste this line above the closing </main> tag:

Step 5: Save Everything

• Click Save for both the snippet and the theme.liquid file.

Using Shopify Breadcrumbs Apps (No coding)

Shopify breadcrumb apps are third-party tools from the Shopify App Store that automatically add and manage breadcrumb navigation across your online store. These apps typically include customizable settings for style, placement, and visibility, with drag-and-drop or toggle-based interfaces.

Who Is It For?

• Beginners or non-technical users who don’t want to edit Liquid code
• Store owners who want to launch quickly without hiring a developer
• Merchants using third-party themes that don’t support breadcrumbs by default
• Anyone looking for plug-and-play breadcrumb functionality with added support

Steps to Add Breadcrumbs Using a Shopify App

Step 1: Choose a Breadcrumb App

Search the Shopify App Store for breadcrumb-related apps. Some popular options include:

• Schema & Breadcrumbs by Bogdan
• SEO Breadcrumbs
• Crumbs – Simple Breadcrumbs

Step 2: Install the App

• Click Install from the app’s page
• Approve the required permissions to connect it to your store.

Step 3: Configure the Settings

• Open the app from your Shopify dashboard
• Choose where to display breadcrumbs (e.g., product pages, collection pages)
• Customize appearance (font, color, arrows) if the app supports it
• Enable or disable breadcrumbs on specific templates

Step 4: Save and Preview

• Save your settings
• Visit your live store and refresh to see breadcrumbs in action
• Make adjustments if needed based on your layout or theme

Using Theme Customizer

The Theme Customizer is Shopify’s visual editor that allows merchants to modify page layouts, add blocks, and customize content within their theme. In compatible themes, you can add and position breadcrumb blocks directly using this interface.

Who Is It For?

• Merchants using Shopify 2.0 themes (like Dawn, Craft, Refresh, etc.)
• Store owners who want breadcrumbs without installing extra apps or editing code
• Users who prefer visual editing and a preview-before-publish experience
• Beginners looking for a low-effort breadcrumb solution already built into their theme

Steps to Add Breadcrumbs Using the Theme Customizer

Step 1: Access the Theme Customizer

• From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes
• Click Customize on your active theme

Step 2: Navigate to a Page Template

• Use the dropdown menu at the top to select Product > Default Product or Collections > Default Collection.

Step 3: Add the Breadcrumb Block

• In the left sidebar, find the Main section of the page
• Click Add Block (or locate an existing Breadcrumbs setting)
• Select Breadcrumbs from the block list
• Enable it if it’s not turned on by default

Step 4: Customize Your Breadcrumbs

• To move the block to the appropriate location, drag & drop it. (above product titles or under the page header)
• Use available settings to tweak appearance, spacing, and style

Step 5: Save and Preview

• Click Save
• Preview your live store to confirm breadcrumbs appear as intended.

Using Page Builders like EComposer

If you want a middle ground between apps and theme editing, Shopify page builders like EComposer are a fantastic solution. They’re visual, user-friendly, and offer powerful customization, no coding required. 

EComposer Page Builder is one of the most user-friendly page builders available on the Shopify platform. It lets you create and customize any type of page on your store, from landing pages, homepages, and product pages to collection, about us, contact, and even policy pages.

One standout feature is the Breadcrumbs element, which helps shoppers easily track their navigation path across your website. This improves both user experience and site structure. Best of all? It’s completely FREE to use and requires zero coding knowledge.

Just drag, drop, and customize, adding breadcrumbs to your store has never been easier!

Ready to get started? Follow the steps below.

Who Is It For?

• Merchants who want total visual control without touching code
• Shopify store owners looking to add breadcrumbs for better navigation
• Designers and beginners who prefer a flexible builder interface over rigid themes
• Anyone using Shopify 1.0 or 2.0 themes who wants more design freedom

Steps to Add Breadcrumbs with Shopify Page Builder Apps

Step 1: Install EComposer

• Visit the Shopify App Store, search for EComposer Landing Page Builder, and click Add App
• Install it to your Shopify store

Step 2: Start Building a Page

• In your Shopify admin, go to Apps > EComposer Landing Page Builder
• Click Start Building and choose the page type: Product, Homepage, Blog, etc.
• Choose an already-made template or start from scratch.
• Click Start Building

Step 3: Add the Breadcrumbs Element

• Inside the builder, go to Elements > Basic > Breadcrumbs
• Drag and drop the breadcrumb element to your desired spot on the page

Step 5: Customize Your Breadcrumbs

• Content: Edit the breadcrumb label and icons
• Design: Adjust colors, links, spacing, and size
• Advanced: Add custom code or fine-tune behaviors if needed

Step 6: Save and Publish

• Once everything looks great, click Save & Publish in the top right corner

I genuinely enjoy using EComposer because its drag-and-drop feature makes page building feel effortless and even a bit addictive. It’s like crafting with digital building blocks, and each element clicks into place with precision. Whether I’m designing a product page or tweaking a homepage layout, it feels more like play than work.

How To Fix Missing Breadcrumbs in Shopify After Theme Update

Breadcrumbs are like the GPS of your Shopify store, guiding visitors from the homepage to the product with ease. But after a theme update, they can mysteriously disappear. Don’t panic! It’s a common hiccup, and the good news is: you can bring them back in just a few simple steps.

Why Do Breadcrumbs Go Missing?

When Shopify updates a theme, it can:

• Reset theme settings (breadcrumb toggle turns off).
• Remove or overwrite custom breadcrumb code.
• Break breadcrumb apps or integrations.

Think of it like updating your kitchen and suddenly not being able to find the snacks—you didn’t lose them, they just got moved!

3 Easy Ways to Restore Missing Breadcrumbs

Option 1: Check Your Theme Settings First

Some Shopify themes (like Dawn or Sense) have built-in breadcrumb options. A theme update might have simply turned it off.

Steps to Re-enable:

• Go to Online Store > Themes in your Shopify Admin.
• Click Customize on your live theme.
• Navigate to a product or collection page preview.
• Look for a checkbox like “Show breadcrumbs” in the theme settings panel.
• Turn it on, hit Save, and refresh your storefront.

Option 2: Use a Shopify App (No Code Needed)

If your theme doesn’t support breadcrumbs, or if you want more styling and SEO control, apps can do the heavy lifting.

Popular Breadcrumb Apps:

• Breadcrumbs Uncomplicated – clean UI, optimized for SEO.
• EComposer Page Builder – drag-and-drop builder with breadcrumb widget.

How to Use:

• Head to the Shopify App Store and install your preferred app.
• Follow the app’s guide to add breadcrumbs to your pages.
• Customize breadcrumb appearance via the app dashboard.

Option 3: Add Breadcrumbs Manually Using Liquid Code

If you’re comfortable editing theme code, you can insert breadcrumb logic directly into your theme. It’s easier than assembling an IKEA nightstand—promise!

Steps:

• Go to Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit Code.
• Under the Snippets folder, click Add a new snippet → name it breadcrumbs.liquid.
• Paste this code:

• Open your layout/theme.liquid file.
• Right above </main>, insert:

• Click Save, then preview a product page.

Best Practices for Breadcrumbs in Shopify

Now that you know how to add or fix breadcrumbs, let’s talk about doing it right. Good breadcrumb design isn't just about showing links—it's about creating a smooth, intuitive journey for your visitors (and making Google smile while you're at it).

Keep breadcrumbs concise and clean

Nobody wants a breadcrumb trail that looks like a novel. Stick to essential navigation points like:

• Home > Collection > Product

Avoid cluttering with too many levels or filters—it’ll confuse users more than help them.

Use simple separators ('>' or '/')

Breadcrumbs aren’t a place to get fancy. Stick with classics like:

• > (most common)
  
• / (clean and modern)

Skip emojis or decorative symbols unless you're running a whimsical brand and it truly fits.

Place consistently (usually top of the page)

Users expect breadcrumbs to appear above your product title or content—usually right below the main navigation bar.

• Consistent placement builds trust. Don't make visitors hunt for navigation cues.

Make all links clickable except the current page

Each part of your breadcrumb trail—except the last one—should be clickable. For example:

• Should: Home > Shoes > Sneakers
• Shouldn’t: Home > Shoes > *Sneakers (disabled)*

The last part (current page) should appear as plain text or styled differently to show “You are here.”

Style to match the theme but ensure visibility

Breadcrumbs should blend with your store’s branding—but still stand out enough to be useful.

Pro tip: Use a lighter background, subtle font styling, and hover effects to make them look polished yet visible.

Ensure responsiveness for mobile devices

Mobile users need breadcrumbs even more than desktop users. Test responsiveness and adjust padding, font size, and spacing so breadcrumbs don’t get squished. Mobile-first design wins every time!

Use schema markup for SEO benefits 

Adding structured data helps Google display breadcrumbs in search results, which can:

• Improve your store's appearance in SERPs
• Help users understand your site’s structure

If you’re using an app like EComposer, schema is usually included automatically.

If you're coding manually, here's a simple schema snippet:

Make sure to update the URLs and page names to match your actual store.

Ensure accessibility (use <nav> element, ARIA labels)

Breadcrumbs aren't just for looks—they should be usable by everyone, including screen readers.

Use semantic HTML like:

This makes your store more inclusive and WCAG-compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Shopify support breadcrumbs by default?

Shopify does not support breadcrumbs by default on all themes. However, many Shopify 2.0 themes (like Dawn) include built-in breadcrumb functionality that can be enabled through the Theme Customizer. For themes that don’t include breadcrumbs out of the box, you can still add them using Liquid code, Shopify apps, or a page builder like EComposer—no matter your coding skill level.

2. Where should I add the breadcrumb code in my Shopify theme?

You should add the breadcrumb code inside your theme files where it logically fits into your store layout—typically just above the page title or below the main header. Technically, the code goes in two places:

• Create a new snippet (e.g., breadcrumbs.liquid) and paste the breadcrumb Liquid code there.
• Include the snippet in relevant templates, like product.liquid, collection.liquid, or theme.liquid—by inserting the line {% render 'breadcrumbs' %} where you want the breadcrumbs to appear.

Placing it in a consistent location across pages helps users easily navigate your site and improves user experience.

3. Do breadcrumbs affect my Shopify store’s SEO rankings?

Yes, breadcrumbs can positively affect your Shopify store’s SEO. While they’re not a direct ranking factor, breadcrumbs improve your site structure, internal linking, and user experience, all of which help search engines like Google crawl and understand your website more effectively. When implemented with proper structured data (JSON-LD), breadcrumbs may also appear in search results as navigational links, enhancing your click-through rate (CTR) and visibility. So, while they won’t skyrocket your rankings overnight, they’re a smart, SEO-friendly feature to include.

4. Will breadcrumbs work on mobile devices in Shopify?

Yes, breadcrumbs work on mobile devices in Shopify, as long as they are properly implemented using responsive design practices. Most modern Shopify themes, especially Shopify 2.0 themes like Dawn, automatically ensure breadcrumbs adjust to different screen sizes. If you’re using apps or page builders like EComposer, they also offer mobile-friendly breadcrumb elements that look clean and function well on smaller screens. To guarantee a seamless user experience, just make sure to test and preview your store on desktop and mobile devices.

5. Is there a way to add structured data (Schema) to breadcrumbs for SEO?

Yes, you can add structured data (Schema markup) to your breadcrumbs in Shopify to help search engines better understand your site’s hierarchy and improve your SEO. This is typically done using JSON-LD format. You can manually insert the breadcrumb Schema code into your theme's Liquid files (usually within theme.liquid or a specific snippet), or use SEO-focused apps like Schema & Breadcrumbs or Smart SEO that automatically add and manage structured data for you, without requiring code. Structured breadcrumbs can enhance your appearance in search results by showing navigational links beneath your page title.

Final Thoughts

Adding breadcrumbs to your Shopify store might seem like a small change, but it can have a big impact on user experience and SEO. So take a few minutes, implement breadcrumbs, and guide your customers smoothly through your store. Their clicks (and Google rankings) will thank you.

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