Instagram Said To Be Working on Standalone Shopping App

Fresh from a successful launch of a YouTube competitor,IGTV, Instagram is looking to step up to rivals in the e-commerce category with a standalone shopping app.

As reported byThe Verge, this shopping app could allow Instagram users to browse through goods sold by brands and businesses on the platform and buy them from within the app itself.

As for the name, it couldessentially be called ‘IG Shopping’but nothing is set in stone and could change over the course of development. Sources also told The Verge that‘it could be canceled before it is released,’ since it’s still in the early stages of development.

Instagram seems to be following Facebook’s lead, whichexpanded its Marketplaceoffering to newer markets including India.

In fact, Instagram has been setting up its shopping chops for some time, having integrated newbusiness and e-commerce toolsinto the app. Popular users and celebrities cantag productsin their posts for followers to tap and buy directly from within the app. Instagram has even baked anative payments platform.

While a dedicated shopping platform could be agreat opportunity for Instagram-friendly brands,given the state of IGTV right now, it would be hard to show users the appeal of yet another Instagram app.

IGTV seemed like a breath of fresh air when it came on the scene, but its hype has certainly faded out if not dead. IG Shopping would need to work from the get-go for brands and businesses to repose any faith. What do you think about the idea of an Instagram app for shopping? Let us know in the comments below.

Anmol

Getting my start with technology journalism back in 2016, I have been working in the industry for over 7 years. Currently, as the Editor of Beebom, I’m leading the coverage on the website. While my expertise lies in Android, Windows, and the apps world, find me reading manga, watching anime, and playing Apex in my free time.

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