What is Historical Data?
Historical data is your store's existing order history from before the Reco tracking pixel was installed. By importing this data, you can generate meaningful recommendations from day one instead of waiting for the pixel to collect enough purchase data.
When Should You Import Historical Data?
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| New Reco installation on an established store | Strongly recommended — gives you instant recommendations |
| New store with few orders | Optional — the pixel will collect data quickly |
| Already have weeks of pixel data | Optional — can supplement existing data |
How to Import
- Go to the Settings page
- Find the Historical Data section
- Make sure historical data is toggled on
- Click Import Orders
- Wait for the import to complete
The import pulls order data directly from your Shopify store using the Shopify API. You don't need to upload any files.
How Historical Data Blends with Live Data
When historical data is enabled, Reco blends it with your live tracking data to produce richer recommendations. The system intelligently combines both data sources so that:
- Products with both historical and live data get stronger recommendation signals
- Products with only historical data still appear in recommendations
- Products with only live data are unaffected
You can toggle historical data on or off at any time. When toggled off, only live pixel data is used for recommendations.
Re-Importing Orders
You can re-import your order history at any time. Each import replaces the previous historical data set.
This is useful when:
- You want to capture orders from a period when the pixel was temporarily uninstalled
- You've changed your attribution mode and want the historical data re-processed
Re-importing replaces all previously imported historical data. Your live tracking data from the pixel is never affected by imports.
Attribution Mode and Historical Data
Your chosen attribution mode (Per Session or Per Order Quantity) affects how historical order data is processed. Make sure you've selected your preferred attribution mode before importing.
| Mode | How It Processes Historical Orders |
|---|---|
| Per Session | Each order counts as one session per product viewed |
| Per Order Quantity | Each unit purchased in an order is counted separately |
See the Choosing Your Attribution Mode article for more details on which mode is right for your store.