Dynamic Vs Static Segments Shopify

Why Segmentation Style Impacts Results

When you’re building email campaigns in Shopify, choosing between dynamic and static segments can make or break your results. If you’re wondering which method is more effective, you’re not alone. Many store owners wrestle with the same question. Understanding the strengths of each can help you avoid wasted email efforts and get more repeat customers over time. The way you segment your audience affects everything—from open rates to sales conversion. Knowing the difference helps you get the most out of Shopify Email Marketing.

What Are Static Segments?

Static segments are fixed groups of customers. Once a customer is added, they stay in the group until you manually remove them. This works well for campaigns targeting a one-time group, like customers from a special event or a specific product launch.

What Are Dynamic Segments?

Dynamic segments update automatically. Customers enter or leave the segment based on conditions you set—like total orders, location, or time since last purchase. If your goal is to stay current and scale personalization, dynamic segments are the better choice.

When Static Segments Work Best

• Targeting customers from a one-time promotion
• Sending manual campaigns that won’t repeat
• Grouping people from a pop-up or seasonal offer

Why Dynamic Segments Are More Powerful

Dynamic segments are built for growth. They let you send tailored emails based on up-to-date behavior. For example, if you’re running a Shopify store, you can create a segment of buyers who haven’t ordered in 60 days and send them a discount. Once they return, they’re automatically removed from that group.

This level of flexibility helps you stay relevant without spending hours on email list cleanup. It also supports your Shopify sales funnel better by adjusting to real-time data—like SKU-level performance, which you can track in tools like By the Numbers.

How to Decide Which to Use

• Use static when targeting a fixed group with no need to update
• Use dynamic when your targeting depends on behavior or recent actions
• Use both together when running short-term promotions alongside automated flows

How Shopify Helps With Both

Shopify makes creating both types of segments easy with built-in tools. Still, many brands find themselves stuck figuring out which metrics actually matter. That’s where apps like By the Numbers simplify things. Instead of guessing, you can use real customer data like product sales, RFM metrics, and buying patterns to power your dynamic segments.

Final Tip: Let Your Data Guide You

If you’re unsure whether static or dynamic segments are right for your store, start with what the numbers are telling you. A review of customer behavior—such as which SKUs are most often repurchased or what buying gaps exist—can point to better strategies. And if you’re not sure where to look, a quick visit to the SKU-level insights from By the Numbers will give you a clear starting point.