What is an exit pop-up in Shopify?

An overlay shown when a shopper signals they're about to leave, usually offering an incentive for an email or a final discount.

Do exit pop-ups actually work?

Yes — they're among the highest-converting email capture methods when they offer real value and are easy to dismiss.

Which app should I use for exit pop-ups?

Privy and Klaviyo are the most popular choices on Shopify.

Are exit pop-ups annoying?

They can be if too aggressive or frequent — show once per visitor, make it easy to close, and offer real value.

How do exit pop-ups work on mobile?

On mobile, trigger on scroll-up or back-button intent since there's no cursor to track.

Glossary Term

E

Exit Pop-Ups

A last-chance overlay shown when a shopper is about to leave — usually to capture an email or offer a small incentive.

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Key Takeaways
Exit Pop-Ups appear when a shopper's behavior signals they're about to leave.
They usually offer a small incentive for an email or a final discount to save the sale.
On Shopify they run through apps like Privy and Klaviyo.
They're a top email list-building and last-ditch cart recovery tool.
Good ones are timely, easy to dismiss, and offer real value — not aggressive.

Overview

Exit Pop-Ups are overlays that appear when a shopper's behavior signals they're about to leave — moving the cursor toward the close tab, or inactivity before exit. They typically offer a small incentive (a discount or free shipping) in exchange for an email, or a final discount to save the sale.

On Shopify, exit pop-ups run through apps like Privy and Klaviyo. They're a top email marketing list-building tool and a last-ditch cart recovery lever for shoppers who'd otherwise abandon.

Done well, exit pop-ups capture emails from leaving visitors without annoying the ones who stay. Done poorly — too aggressive, too frequent, or irrelevant — they hurt the experience. The best ones are timely, easy to dismiss, and offer real value.

1

Why Exit Pop-Ups Matter for Shopify Merchants

1
Capture Leaving Visitors
Turn traffic that would otherwise bounce into email subscribers.
2
Last-Ditch Recovery
A final offer can save a sale from a shopper about to abandon.
3
Grow Your List
Exit pop-ups are among the highest-converting email capture methods.
4
Segment by Behavior
Show different offers to first-time vs. returning visitors.
5
Low Cost
A pop-up app costs little and can return many times its price in captured revenue.

2

Exit Pop-Ups That Convert Without Annoying

1
Trigger on exit intent
Show the pop-up only when a shopper signals they're leaving, not on a timer.
2
Offer real value
A discount, free shipping, or a useful resource — not a generic 'subscribe' plea.
3
Make it easy to dismiss
A clear close button so interested shoppers aren't trapped.
4
Don't overuse
Show it once per visitor, not on every page and every visit.
5
Mobile matters
On mobile, trigger on scroll-up or back-button intent, not cursor movement.