Should I use a code, a link, or an automatic discount?
Updated Sep 10, 20262 min read
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Use automatic when the offer is for everyone and you want the storefront to show it. Use a link campaign when the offer is for a specific audience and you still want them to see discounted prices while they browse. Use a public campaign with a discount code only when the shopper is expected to type the code at checkout and you do not need anything to appear on the storefront.
The behavior differs because of where each one is known. Hype's storefront blocks and live pricing can only show an offer they know applies to the visitor standing on the page.
| Public + Automatic | Link campaign | Public + Discount code | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopper action | None | Opens your link | Types the code at checkout |
| Storefront blocks render | Yes | Yes, after the link is opened | No |
| Live pricing works | Yes | Yes, for link visitors only | No |
| One use per customer available | No | Yes | Yes |
| Total usage limit available | No | Yes | Yes |
Why a public code campaign shows nothing on the storefront
A discount code is known to Shopify at checkout, not to your storefront. When a visitor loads a page, Hype asks which campaigns apply to them; automatic campaigns are always returned, a link campaign is returned when the link is in the visitor's session, and a code campaign is returned only when the code has already been applied to their cart. So a public code campaign renders no banner, no progress bar and no discounted price. That is by design, not a fault.
If you switched a working campaign from Link to Public and the storefront went blank, this is why. Switch it back, or change the method to Automatic.
How link campaigns behave
- Hype generates a URL for the campaign, in the form
https://yourstore.com/?hypecampaign=<your-slug>, plus a QR code. You can edit the slug. - When someone opens it, Hype applies the campaign's code to their cart for them. They never type anything.
- The campaign is remembered for the rest of their session and stored on their cart, so it stays applied as they browse other pages.
- You can point the link at any page. Everything from the
?onward is the part that matters, sohttps://yourstore.com/collections/sale?hypecampaign=<your-slug>lands them on that collection with the offer active.
Link campaigns are always code campaigns — Hype hides the Automatic option when you pick Link campaign. The code is not shown anywhere on your storefront.
Switching method later
Switching an existing campaign between Automatic and Discount code deletes the Shopify discount and creates a new one. Any usage limits reset, and if the old code or title is still in use in your Shopify admin the switch fails. Do it on a campaign that is not live.
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