Instagram expands shopping feature

Social media platform, Instagram has expanded its shopping feature with the announcement of new Commerce Eligibility Requirements that offers access to Instagram Shopping to more types of businesses. These include creators that want to connect with shoppers and sell their merchandise on Instagram.

Be that a food blogger or musician selling merchandise or an entrepreneur looking to launch a cookware line, any eligible creator account with at least one eligible product can use Instagram’s shopping tags to drive people to their website to make a purchase.

Also read: Social media offers businesses real engagement opportunity

With this new policy, eligible creators and businesses must tag products on Instagram from a single website that they own and sell from, so that people have a consistent and trusted shopping experience. Instagram will also update the sign-up flow to give clearer guidance to creators and businesses and offer more transparency into the types of businesses that are best suited to be supported.

The updated requirements will also be applicable to new and existing businesses and will go into effect on July 9 in Egypt, Algeria, UAE, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, as well as all countries where Instagram Shopping is supported.

When eligible creators and businesses sign up for Instagram Shopping, they will be notified as soon as they are approved and ready to start tagging products. Upon disapproval, a clear reason will be offered so they can take the necessary action or appeal.

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