Hi everyone,
I want to raise something that, from an English perspective, might look minor, but in many markets it is not minor at all.
Shopify’s new customer accounts send a one-time login code by email. That email cannot be customized, which I understand from a security standpoint.
The problem is that in many languages there is a strict distinction between formal and informal forms of address. In professional contexts, especially when dealing with doctors, law firms, B2B clients or generally older demographics, using the informal form by default is not neutral. It is inappropriate.
Right now, Shopify forces the informal version in system login emails in certain languages, with no option to switch to formal.
This creates a strange situation:
Merchants are expected to localize properly. We can adjust tone and formality in order confirmations, notifications and marketing emails. We invest in professional translations. We adapt our communication to cultural norms.
But in one of the most critical touchpoints, the login email, that cultural nuance is ignored completely.
From the outside, it feels like this feature was designed with English in mind, where this distinction does not exist, and the needs of other languages were treated as secondary.
I am not asking for editable security templates. I am simply asking for a basic setting at the language level that allows merchants to choose formal or informal address for system emails.
For many of us, this is not a stylistic preference. It directly affects brand perception and professional credibility.
When a platform positions itself as global, these details matter.
Is there any plan to address this?