Instagram Adds New Ways to Shop

Instagram is adding further ecommerce functionality to its app, ahead of the rumoured launch of a standalone shopping app and following on from the March 2018 release of an in-app shopping option for UK users.

The company has announced two updates that make it easier to shop on Instagram, in the following release:

Expanding Shopping in Stories 
We began testing Shopping in Stories in June, and today we’re rolling it out globally and expanding it to businesses in 46 countries. Now when you’re watching behind-the-scenes Stories from your favorite brands and see something you love, you can quickly tap on a product to learn more.More than 400 million accounts come to Stories every day to feel closer to their favorite accounts. And with one-third of the most-viewed stories coming from businesses, we’re excited to see how Shopping in Stories enable brands to tell an even deeper story about what’s behind their products.

Introducing Shopping in Explore 
We’re also announcing a Shopping channel in Explore that will be personalized to you. Topic channels, which launched in June, allow you to browse across your interests and go deeper on any area you like in Explore. Now, when you simply want to shop for fun, you’ll see a channel dedicated to Shopping posts from the brands you follow and brands you might like.

The Shopping channel in Explore will begin rolling out today (17th September) and will expand globally over the coming weeks.
Shopping is more than an errand – it’s also about what you discover along the way. For many people on Instagram, shopping is an entertaining way to get inspired and connect with new and interesting brands. We’ll continue to explore the right features and experiences to make Instagram the best place to shop from your favorite brands and find inspiration.

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, which acquired Instagram in April 2012, recently advised that four out of every five Instagram users follow at least one business. 

Source : Insight DIY Team and Instagram

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