Soon, Snapchat users can scan and buy real-world products
Snapchat and Amazon are teaming up to introduce a unique shopping feature called 'Visual Search'. The function, as its name suggests, will allow users to scan a particular product or barcode in the real-world and buy it on Amazon. It would let you search and buy any random item, be it clothing items, accessories, or even gadgets. Here are the details.
How would this 'visual search' work?
Often people come across products that are appealing but difficult to find online. However, the new Snapchat feature solves that problem by enabling instant scanning and recognition with the app's camera. Just point the camera at the product and you'll get an Amazon information card giving away all necessary details such as the product's name, price, Prime availability, average review, and image.
Just tap and buy on Amazon!
Once the card appears, you can tap on it to go to Amazon's app or website to buy the product or simply swipe down and continue. Put simply, it's a joint effort, where Snapchat scans the object and Amazon's machine vision studies its logo, packaging, and other features for recognition. Also, if the engine fails to find the exact product, it'll show similar ones.
Rolling out to a select few users
While the feature sounds interesting for shopping enthusiasts, it is still at a nascent stage and being rolled out to few users in the US. Snapchat released the feature earlier this week and will likely consider a mass roll-out after analyzing the initial response. It also remains unclear if Snap will get a referral fee from Amazon for purchases made using this feature.
Move comes as Instagram focuses on shopping
The move, by Snapchat, although similar to that of Pinterest, comes at a time when Instagram, its direct competition, is adding new e-commerce focused features. Just last week, Instagram introduced the ability to shop directly in stories as well as via a channel dedicated to shopping in 'Explore'. Hope is that this new feature will ultimately boost both Snap's revenue.
