---
title: "Reward Anything: Custom Loyalty Programs Meet Shopify Flow"
slug: "shopify-flow-custom-loyalty-programs"
url: "https://joy.so/updates/shopify-flow-custom-loyalty-programs/"
kind: "update"
author: "Thomas Nguyen"
author_url: "https://joy.so/author/thomas/"
published_at: "2025-10-15T09:54:00.000+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-08T08:58:21.000+00:00"
description: "Joy's custom programs now integrate with Shopify Flow. Reward customers for any action Flow can trigger — the possibilities are limitless."
category: "Product Updates"
tags: ["Product Updates"]
reading_time: 2
feature_image: "https://images.pexels.com/photos/3582392/pexels-photo-3582392.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940"
---

# Reward Anything: Custom Loyalty Programs Meet Shopify Flow

## Why this matters

Reward customer behavior that standard earning programs do not cover. Joy's [custom programs now accept a Shopify Flow trigger](https://help.joy.so/reward-programs/earning-programs/custom-program#id-3.-shopify-flow-trigger), so any workflow you build in Flow can award the points you set in Joy, with no code on your storefront.

### Mark spending and order milestones

Use Flow's order triggers and conditions to track cumulative spending, then run a Joy custom program at each level you define. The same approach covers wholesale orders and subscription renewals.

### Bring back inactive customers

Have Flow identify customers who have stopped ordering. When one of them places a return order, Joy awards bonus points as a welcome back.

### Reward actions from other apps

A completed survey, a product review left through a third-party app, or a profile quiz can each earn points. The app only needs to send its events to Shopify Flow.

> **Try this**
> Build a win-back workflow in Flow. When a lapsed customer places a return order, run your Joy custom program to award bonus points.

---

## How to access and use

### Step 1: Create the custom program

In Joy, go to **Reward Programs → Custom Program → Trigger Action → Shopify Flow trigger**. Enter the program name and reward points.

### Step 2: Save the program

Click **Save**. Joy generates a unique **action_key** for the program.

### Step 3: Build your Flow automation

In Shopify Flow, add the **Run a custom program** action to your workflow with the action_key and the customer email.

### Step 4: Run a test

Trigger the flow once. When Joy detects the action_key, the program status changes to **Connected**.

### Step 5: Turn on the program

In Joy, click **Turn on** to activate the program.

## Setup guides

[Custom program](https://help.joy.so/reward-programs/earning-programs/custom-program#id-3.-shopify-flow-trigger)

## Good to know

Shopify Flow triggers are available on Advanced plans and above. The program connects after the Flow has run at least once with an action_key that matches exactly.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need Shopify Flow to use Joy?

No. Flow is optional, and custom programs also offer the **Visit a page** and **Custom trigger** options.

### Which Flow triggers can start a Joy custom program?

Any trigger your workflow uses, such as an order placed, a customer tag added, a metafield update, or an event from a third-party app.

### What does the action_key do?

It links your Flow automation to one specific earning program in Joy. Paste it into the **Run a custom program** action and map the customer email variable from your Flow trigger.