Inline messages

Inline settings

Choose which message types appear, how credibility thresholds work, and control low-stock alerts.

Settings hub

Open Inline messages → Settings to configure message types and selection behavior. Changes recalculate activity and refresh product metafields when you save.

Message types

Toggle which activity types can appear on product pages:

  • Purchases: order-based counts from Shopify webhooks
  • Views: tracked via the Recently web pixel
  • Add to cart: tracked via the Recently web pixel
  • Low stock: inventory-based urgency when stock falls below a threshold

For Low stock, set the threshold (default: 5 units). The message appears when inventory is at or below that number.

Selection modes

Selection mode controls how Recently picks which message to show and which time windows qualify. Three modes are available:

Automatic

Recently applies built-in conservative minimums per activity type and time window. Best for merchants who want credible proof without customizing numbers. Recommended for most stores.

Guided

Pick a store volume preset (Low, Typical, or High), and Recently adjusts thresholds accordingly. Good when you know your traffic level but do not want to manage individual windows.

Manual

Full control per message type:

  • Enable or disable each time window (1h, 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 3d, 7d)
  • Set minimum counts required to show a message
  • Optional max displayed count cap (e.g. show “100+” instead of the exact number)

Hard floors prevent unrealistically low thresholds:

  • Purchases: minimum 2
  • Views: minimum 5
  • Add to cart: minimum 3

Time windows

Available rolling windows for purchase and view messages:

WindowLabel shown to shoppers
1 hourin the last hour
3 hoursin the last 3 hours
6 hoursin the last 6 hours
12 hoursin the last 12 hours
24 hoursin the last 24 hours
3 daysin the last 3 days
7 daysin the last 7 days

Recently prefers the shortest qualified window: fresher messages feel more relevant than older aggregates.

Message copy

Inline message wording is built into Recently and localized automatically. Unlike popup templates, inline copy is not editable in the admin. You control which messages appear, not the exact sentence structure.

When nothing shows

If a product has insufficient activity for any enabled type, the inline block renders nothing. This is intentional: showing “1 person viewed this” on a slow product undermines credibility. Lower thresholds in Manual mode only if you accept the trade-off.

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