Instagram is testing its Shops tab with a small pool of global users.
When Shop tab which looks like a little shopping bag icon is part of the app’s wider eCommerce expansion and can be found at the bottom of the function bar.
Tapping on the tab takes users to an existing shopping experience in the app.
Users can then view other posts with shopping tags and make a purchase.
This replaces the Activity tab as Instagram sets out to focus more heavily on its eCommerce functions driven by an increase in online shopping following COVID-19 lockdowns.
These integrations are vital for smaller shops and independent sellers who are losing out on business because of local lockdowns.
Facebook and Instagram added Shops back in May 2020 to boost sales on the social media platforms.
And for 68% of eCommerce marketers the two platforms appear to be the most effective when it comes to boosting traffic to their websites.
The Shop tab addition on Instagram has the potential to fuel even more purchases and retail integrations.
