InstagramInstagram users that tap on product tags on shopping posts will now be able to buy those items without leaving the app.
The app owned by Facebook has officially announced “Checkout with Instagram” in a blog post on the company’s website. American users are now able to buy products from more than 20 brands without having to leave the app. The number of brands, as well as the countries that can use the feature are both expected to increase over time.
Instagram launched the product tags feature in 2017, with it showcasing additional information about the product and linking you to wear you can buy it. Checkout eliminates the need to actually leave the app, making it easier to buy the products you love seeing on your feed.
InstagramOnce you’ve tapped on a product to look at more details about it, you have the option to Checkout. You can then enter billing and shipping information to pay for the items. Once you’ve made one payment, the app stores those details for any future purchases. Impulse shopping has never been so easy!
Instagram also says that you can receive notifications about shipping and delivery right inside the app, helping customers to keep track of purchases. And stay in the app.
The companies currently available to buy from are Adidas, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Balmain, Burberry, ColourPop, Dior, H&M, Huda Beauty, KKW, Kylie Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Michael Kors, NARS, Nike, NYX Cosmetics, Oscar de la Renta, Ouai Hair, Outdoor Voices, Prada, Revolve, Uniqlo, WarbyParker and Zara.
In return for companies being able to sell products directly on the app, Instagram are charging the retailers a selling fee. A spokesman from the app told TechCrunch that they weren’t disclosing the cost of using product tags just yet:
We will introduce a selling fee to help to fund programs and products that help make checkout possible, as well as offset transaction-related expenses,
We aren’t sharing the specific number right now. We are testing a selling fee with businesses during the closed beta. It will not change the price of the items for consumers.
This will mean that instead of users paying to buy stuff on Instagram, the company is making retailers pay up for the privilege of the service.
Whether you like it or not, users won’t be able to escape from branded content on the app for much longer, no matter how much you curate your feed.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Matt Weston is a lover of electric cars, artificial intelligence and space. From Cornwall, he’s a UCLan graduate that still dreams of being a Formula One driver in the very near future. Previously work includes reporting for regional newspapers and freelance video for the International Business Times.