Instagram has quietly added a native payment feature to its app for selected users, according to TechCrunch. Shoppers can register a debit or credit card to their profile, set up a security PIN and purchase items — all without leaving the platform.
The payment settings aren’t visible to all users, and Shoppable Tags retailers such as Warby Parker and Kate Spade have not enabled the ability to check out within Instagram. One of the first partners to do so is the dinner reservation app Resy, which provides native payment for booking at some of its clients’ locations. Capabilities planned for the future include the ability to purchase movie tickets.
Retailers can currently sell their products on Pinterest through Buyable Pins, which the social network offers at no charge. Twitter launched a buy button in 2014, but discontinued the service in January 2017 after it failed to generate much interest from shoppers, according to Re/code. Facebook offers a similar feature through call to action buttons available on ads.
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Facebook does have a native payments service, but only for peer-to-peer transactions. A version for retailers and brands is in beta testing. Meanwhile, Facebook-owned chat service Whatsapp launched digital payments in India in February 2018, according to The Economic Times. If the initial test goes well, the feature may be added to the app in countries across the globe.
Snapchat launched an in-app storefront called Snap Store in February 2018, according to TechCrunch. Only a small selection of Snapchat-themed merchandise is available, but its presence could prove the app’s potential for larger e-Commerce launches.
