Instagram, the photo messaging app has launched a beta version of its in-app shopping feature in the US. This new feature allows users to buy products tagged in the image or video without having to leave the platform. The new Instagram feature is called "Checkout with Instagram" that will allow users to shop from over 20 brands that include Adidas, Warby Parker and Kylie Cosmetics without having to re-direct users to another website.
TechCrunch quoted an Instagram spokesperson as saying on Tuesday, "We will introduce a selling fee to help fund programmes and products that help make checkout possible, as well as offset transaction-related expenses".
Instagram would charge sellers that will be making sales on the platform with an undisclosed amount of fee.
The spokesperson said, "We aren't sharing the specific number right now. We are testing a selling fee with businesses during the closed beta. It will not change the price of the items for consumers".
Check out tags will appear on the feed posts stories and Explore content from the brands in the closed beta that Instagram plans to eventually open to more businesses.
The report added that for now, users on the Instagram shopping feature can pay with Visa, PayPal, American Express, Mastercard and Discover. The global rollout of the Instagram feature remains unclear.
