---
title: "Strict Login Enforcement (Block Guest Checkout)"
description: "While customer limits are on, OrderRules blocks guest checkout so every order belongs to a logged-in customer and per-customer limits can't be bypassed."
contentType: "docs"
locale: "en"
localized: true
source: "https://orderrules.com/docs/guides/guest-checkout-blocking"
slug: "guides/guest-checkout-blocking"
---
## Strict login enforcement (block guest checkout)

**While customer limits are on, OrderRules blocks guest checkout.** Every order must belong to a logged-in customer, so per-customer limits can count it. There's no separate switch: turning on customer limits turns this on.

## Why guests are blocked

Per-customer limits count each customer's orders, units, spend or weight over a period. OrderRules identifies customers by their **Shopify customer ID**, which only exists when the shopper is logged in. It doesn't match guests by email address.

If guests could check out, a shopper could:
- Place order after order without logging in
- Use a different email address each time
- Never be linked to any earlier order

Blocking guests closes that gap. Every order is linked to a customer ID, and per-customer limits hold across separate orders.

## How it works

1. Open **Customer Limits** in OrderRules (Pro plan).
2. Enable customer limits and add at least one rule.
3. From then on, the Customer Limits page shows **"Strict login enforcement is active"**, and guests are blocked at checkout.

The block applies to **every guest checkout** while customer limits are on — including carts where no product has a customer rule. It runs at checkout, including Shop Pay and other express checkouts. It doesn't stop guests adding items to the cart.

## What customers see

A guest who reaches checkout sees a message asking them to log in. The default is `"Please log in to place an order."` Edit it in **Settings → Login required message**; the same message can show on product pages.

The customer then signs in, or creates an account, through your Shopify customer accounts and checks out again. Make sure customer accounts are enabled under **Settings → Customer accounts** in Shopify.

## When it fits

**Limited drops.** One per customer only holds if every buyer is identified.

**Regulated products.** Quantity-controlled goods (for example infant formula, or care packages with per-month allowances) need per-buyer tracking.

**Employee and company stores.** Allowances per person need a person on every order.

## With and without customer limits

| | Customer limits off | Customer limits on |
|---|---|---|
| Guest checkout | Allowed | Blocked — shoppers must log in |
| Customer identity | None required | A Shopify customer ID on every order |
| Per-customer limits | Not available | Hold across every order |
| Product and daily caps | Work for everyone | Work for everyone |
| Friction | Lower | An account step before checkout |

If you need guest checkout, use product caps, daily caps, minimums and store hours — all of which work for guests — and leave customer limits off.

## Plan requirements

Customer limits, and the guest block that comes with them, are on the **Pro plan** ($9.99/month).

## Need help?

Questions about customer limits or login? Contact **support@orderrules.com**.

## Related

- [Per-Customer Order Limits](/docs/customer-rules/per-customer-order-limits)
- [Per-Customer Quantity Limits](/docs/customer-rules/per-customer-quantity-limits)
- [Limit Periods](/docs/customer-rules/limit-periods)