Social media users have been very vocal about wanting to shop through applications and of course advertisers have wanted this opportunity for a long time as well. That time has finally arrived – social media users will be able to shop through two of the most product-focused platforms – Instagram and Pinterest.
Social Shopping on Instagram
Instagram has just announced their newest feature – shopping capability – to be launched in the near future. Shopping on mobile devices through the app will be possible for specific advertisements, Instagram posts clearly marked as sponsored content featuring “Shop Now” buttons beneath images.
Until now, the only way marketers and users could sell and shop was by way of third-party applications which took users outside of Instagram. This will be the first and only internal means of shopping on the platform and these developments came about largely thanks to Facebook. The parent company of Instagram has lent its technology as well as its seemingly endless source of data to provide the ability to offer more targeted ads going into age, gender and specific interests. Advertisers will also have the ability to manage ads and measure and track results.
Shopping on Instagram is expected to be a great attraction for small businesses and corporate advertisers alike. The “Shop Now” button will be joined by the button options of “Install Now” and “Learn More”.
Social Shopping on Pinterest
Pinterest is another image and product-focused platform that will be joining in the new social shopping revolution. It’s a logical move considering the vast number of Pinterest users who visit the app and website for shopping inspiration which often leads to actual purchases. They have released plans for soon-to-be-launched “buyable pins” that feature “Buy it” buttons with blue prices that link directly to product pages. Users then have the ability to select quantities, colors and sizes by swiping directly on the pins without being directed to other pages (using mobile devices). Payment may then be made via credit card or via Apple Pay as an option for iPhones. The secure payment system will allow users to save their payment details in the app for convenient future shopping and they will easily be able to continue pinning once purchases have been completed.
Buyable pins come at no extra cost to shoppers and as of now, there are no fees for merchants to sell. Pinterest explains the launch is just a few weeks away.
