If you’re managing a loyalty program, you’ll eventually need to update multiple customers’ points, VIP tiers, or profile details at once. This can be easily done with a CSV file. In this article, we’ll explain how to use CSV files for bulk updates in Ako Marketing app

What Can I Bulk Update with a CSV?

With Ako Marketing’s bulk import feature, you can:

  • Add, subtract, or set loyalty points for multiple customers

  • Upgrade or assign VIP tiers

  • Edit customer profile details, like birthdays and gender

1. Bulk Update Loyalty Points 

When to Use:

  • Running special promotions (e.g., reward event attendees with points)

  • Moving from another loyalty platform and importing point balances

  • Migrating to Shopify and bringing existing customer data

How to do it:

  1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import

  1. Select Edit point balance

  1. Choose the point action:

  • Add or subtract: Adjust the current point balance.
     Example: Add 300 points to customers who attended an in-store event.

  • Set specified value: Replace the existing point balance with a new number.
     Example: Set all point balances to 300.

  1. Download the CSV template, fill it in, and upload it

CSV Fields Explained:

  • Customer ID: Unique Shopify ID (e.g., 1234567890)

  • Points: Number to add or subtract. Use negative numbers to deduct (e.g., -100).

  • Points Expiry Date (optional): Format: yyyy-mm-dd. Leave blank if points never expire or if deducting.

  1. (Optional) Add a Public note (visible to customers) or Internal note (for your team). Click next

  1. If the file is valid, click "Smart Import".

  1. Check progress in Import History




2. Bulk Update VIP Tiers 

When to Use:

  • Upgrade loyal customers to VIP status

  • Import tier data from another platform

  • Assign tiers to existing customers manually

How to do it:

  1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import

  1. Select “Manage VIP Tiers”

  1. Check the box "Customer will be issued the rewards once the tier is achieved" if you want to send rewards automatically.

  1. Click "Download a CSV template", fill it out, and upload it

CSV Fields Explained:

  • Customer ID: Shopify ID

  • Tier Name: Must match the exact tier name under Loyalty Program > VIP > VIP Tier

  1. (Optional) Add a Public note (visible to customers) or Internal note (for your team). Click next

9. "Smart Import" to process the file

After the import is complete, Ako Marketing will automatically notify customers of their new tier.

3. Edit Customer Profile 

When you might need this:

  • You want to bring over birthday information or gender information from another platform/app

How to do it:

  1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import and choose "Edit customer profile"

  1. Download and fill out the template here: 

This is what our template looks like:

  • Customer ID: Each customer's Shopify number

  • Birthday: When they were born (yyyy-mm-dd format)

  • Gender: Choose from man, woman, transgender, or prefer No Response

Remember: Make sure the birthday and gender matches exactly how you’ve set it in the app, including the gender options.

Step 4: Upload Your CSV File

  1. Once your template is updated, upload the CSV files

    1. You will need to upload each CSV file for each action

  1. Optional: Add a note about why you're changing points

  • Public note: A note visible to customers in their points activity record.

  • Internal note: A note for internal use only, not visible to customers.

3. Click Next to validate your file

4. Click Smart Import to make the changes








5. Check Import History to make sure everything worked

💡Common Questions

Q1: What is a Customer ID?
 It’s a unique number Shopify assigns to each customer when they:

  • Create an account

  • Subscribe to emails

  • Checkout as a guest

Q2: How do I find Customer IDs?

  • Manual: Go to Shopify Admin > Customers, open a customer, and copy the number in the URL after /customers/.

  • Export List: In Shopify Admin > Customers, click Export to download your full customer list. You can also filter and export specific segments.

Q3: Can I upload points and VIP tiers at the same time?
 No. Each CSV import should include only one data type (points, tiers, or profiles). Please upload them separately.