Why You Can Trust CNET Amazon quietly shuts down shopping social network Spark
Spark appears to have vanished from Amazon.
- I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.
Spark's gone out.
Amazon appears to have closed down its Spark social networking platform. The closure comes less than two years after Amazon launched Spark as its social media play in July 2017. Spark was focused on users posting images, stories and ideas about products and purchases, and was originally launched only for Amazon Prime members. Other users could then react with "smiles" and comments.
Much like Instagram shopping now, Spark users could also tag products in their posts that were available on Amazon, allowing others to then purchase those products by tapping on the image.
"Whether you're looking for inspiration for home décor or seeking advice for the best long-distance running shoes, Spark makes it easy to discover -- and shop -- stories and ideas from a community that likes what you like," Amazon said in an introduction to the service in 2017.
But googling Amazon Spark and clicking on the Amazon link now simply takes you to your recently viewed items and featured recommendations on Amazon, while typing amazon.com/spark into your web browser brings up a page called #FoundItOnAmazon.
Spark has also disappeared from the Amazon app, TechCrunch reported earlier.
A spokesperson said Amazon is "always experimenting" with new customer experiences.
"We are currently testing #FoundItOnAmazon, a new experience to inspire shoppers looking for fashion styles and home décor," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "#FoundItOnAmazon is based on the insights from these past experiments. It is currently available to a portion of our customers."
Originally published June 14.
Update, June 17, 9:52 a.m. PT: Adds statement from Amazon.