Facebook is bringing shopping to WhatsApp
Businesses can also set up stores with on-site checkout on Facebook Marketplace.
- 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.
Shops on WhatsApp and Marketplace are coming.
It should soon be easier to spend money via Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing four new shopping features Tuesday. Coming soon to the social media platforms: Shops on WhatsApp and Marketplace, Instagram Visual Search and Shop Ads.
Shops on WhatsApp will allow users to chat with businesses before buying something from them. Shops on Marketplace will let sellers set up an online store right on Facebook with on-site checkout -- and setting up your shop once will enable it to work across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Zuckerberg said.
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Instagram Visual Search will then help you find products based on images you like, while Shop Ads will "personalize the shopping experience and point you to a Shop's curated collection," the chief executive said.
Shops in Marketplace will be available only in the US for now, while Shops in WhatsApp will be coming to "several countries," Facebook said. Shop Ads is coming to the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Earlier this week, Facebook also announced its new live audio rooms feature, like Clubhouse.