🔧 Technical Guide •

Your Shopify Apps Are Breaking Your Accessibility

That review widget you installed? It might be creating ADA violations on every page. Here's how to find out which apps are the problem.

⚠️ The Hidden Problem

Most Shopify stores have dozens of apps installed. Each app injects its own code. If that code has accessibility issues, you're responsible — not the app developer.

The Third-Party App Accessibility Problem

When you install a Shopify app, it typically injects code into your storefront:

  • Review widgets add product rating displays
  • Popup apps add modal overlays and forms
  • Chat widgets add floating buttons and chat interfaces
  • Upsell apps add product recommendation carousels

The problem? You don't control this code. If the app developer didn't build with accessibility in mind, you'll have violations on your site.

And in an ADA lawsuit? The plaintiff sues you — the store owner. Not the app developer.

Common Accessibility Culprits

⭐ Review & Rating Widgets

Apps like Yotpo, Judge.me, Loox, Stamped.io

Common issues: Missing alt text on star images, non-descriptive links, read-only ARIA on interactive elements

💬 Chat Widgets

Apps like Tidio, Gorgias, Zendesk, Intercom

Common issues: Keyboard traps in chat windows, missing focus indicators, unlabeled buttons

🔔 Popup & Modal Apps

Apps like Privy, Klaviyo, OptiMonk, Justuno

Common issues: Cannot be closed with keyboard, focus not managed, no escape key handling

🛒 Upsell & Cross-sell Apps

Apps like Bold, ReConvert, CartHook

Common issues: Carousels without keyboard controls, auto-playing content, missing product alt text

The Attribution Problem

When you run an accessibility scan, you typically get a report like:

✗ 47 accessibility issues found

  • 12 missing alt text
  • 8 form labels not associated
  • 15 color contrast insufficient
  • 6 keyboard focus issues
  • 6 ARIA attribute problems

Great — you know you have 47 problems. But the critical question:

"Which issues come from my theme, and which come from my apps?"

Traditional scanners can't tell you. They just report problems on the page without identifying the source.

App Tamer: Our Exclusive Solution

LiquidA11y's App Tamer is the only technology that identifies exactly which Shopify apps are causing accessibility violations.

Instead of "47 issues found," you get:

Issues by Source:

  • 📦 Yotpo Reviews 12 issues
  • 📦 Privy Popup 8 issues
  • 📦 Tidio Chat 6 issues
  • 🎨 Your Theme (Dawn) 21 issues

Now you know exactly what to do.

What to Do When You Find a Problem App

1️⃣

Check App Settings

Some apps have accessibility options buried in settings. Look for options like "enable keyboard navigation" or "add alt text."

2️⃣

Contact the Developer

Send them specific issues from your LiquidA11y report. Many developers will fix issues when presented with clear, actionable feedback.

3️⃣

Find an Alternative

If the developer won't help, look for more accessible alternatives. Many categories have accessibility-conscious options.

4️⃣

Remove If Necessary

If an app creates significant barriers and can't be fixed, consider whether the benefit outweighs the legal risk.

Find Your Problem Apps in 30 Seconds

Run a free scan with App Tamer and see exactly which apps are creating accessibility issues on your store.

Run App Tamer — Free Scan

App Tamer is included in all LiquidA11y plans. No other tool has this.