More and more people are using the platform to shop and discover new products. Indeed, 70 % of shopping enthusiasts turn to Instagram for product discovery, and 87% of people say influencers have inspired them to make a purchase.

It is common to read “where did you buy your bag?” or “how much did your glasses cost?” under the posts of famous influencers. Thus, Instagram agreed that this feature would save time for influencers and consumers.

The idea behind Instagram shopping is to be able to find the source of an article from multiple places on the platform:

1. Shop

In Instagram’s interface, the Shop button, represented by a shopping bag, quickly replaced the location of the Notifications button. It is now possible to visit a page where there are items from companies that you like and to buy them directly on the platform.

2. In a post

A post is probably the most used function of influencers. It is possible to tag an item with pertinent information, such as its price, a link to the company page, etc., within the publication itself.

3. Instagram Shop page

In this tab, you can find recently viewed articles you are still thinking of buying. Once your choice is made, click on this tab, and complete your purchases directly. You can even choose the delivery method!

4. In an ad

Just like posts where the article is tagged, the Instagram Shopping link can be added to feed ads. That way, the consumer will not have to exit the app to make their purchase.

5. Product Launches

This dropbox makes it easy for companies to announce new product(s) that will become available for purchase in the future. The “View product” button gives direct access to the product on its Instagram Shopping page.

6. Live Shopping

Live streams are an excellent tool to speak about a product and give an authentic demonstration of it. Then, identify the product; it will display at the bottom of the screen throughout the live with an “add to bag” button so the user can find the item later and proceed with the purchase.

Many online stores use Instagram Shopping. Here is how you can use it for your business:

First, you need to ensure that your company is eligible. That is, it follows Instagram guidelines and has a domain to sell on. You must also make sure that your profile is a professional or creator. Otherwise, the function will not be available to you. You will then be asked to connect your page to a Facebook account. Once all these steps are completed, you can start importing your products to your page as a catalogue.

Now that your page is ready, Instagram will revise it so that everything is in place before it goes live. This step may take a few days. You can then activate the shopping option on your page and start identifying your photos with the products in your catalogue.

New features are added to the platform almost every week because it is constantly evolving. To stay informed about the latest news from Instagram Shopping, subscribe to the @shop account. It’s a great page to follow if you are looking for inspiration.

• Is my Instagram account professional or creative?
• Does my product sell directly on Instagram?
• Where should I tag my products?