Instagram is getting a payment feature that will allow users to buy from small businesses through direct messages, parent company Meta Platforms Inc said on Monday.
„In chats with qualified small businesses, you can ask questions, make a purchase and track your order. In the same thread, businesses will be able to confirm purchases, create payment requests and collect payment,” the company says.
Instagram helps people discover and connect with what matters most to them. And it’s not just between family and friends — people are messaging with their favorite businesses, too. Each week, one billion people message a business across our family of apps — whether it’s chatting with brands, browsing products, asking for support or interacting with stories.
„We want to help people start conversations with businesses they care about and help them find and buy products they love in an easy, seamless experience, right from the chat thread. That’s why today we’re introducing a new way to make a purchase on Instagram — right where you chat,” the company says.
When you’re chatting with a qualified small business on Instagram, you’ll now be able to make purchases without leaving the chat. For example, if you’re interested in a backpack, all you have to do is send a message to the business about the one you love. From there, you can chat about customizations — like adding your initials — and then place your order right in the chat.
In that same chat thread, you’ll also be able to track your order and ask the business any follow-up questions. Finally, you’ll be able to use Meta Pay to complete purchases, making checkout even easier in just a few taps. „And you can shop with confidence knowing that your payments are securely processed and your purchases are protected,” the company explains.
Using this new feature, small business owners will be able to chat with customers in real time to answer questions and confirm purchase details, to create a payment request with item description and price, and to request and collect payment.
And when businesses are ready to set up their digital storefront, they can use Shops on Instagram and Facebook.
Banking 4.0 – „how was the experience for you”
„So many people are coming here to Bucharest, people that I see and interact on linkedin and now I get the change to meet them in person. It was like being to the Football World Cup but this was the World Cup on linkedin in payments and open banking.”
Many more interesting quotes in the video below:
