Instagram Is Working On New Features To Allow Business Profiles To Promote Gift Cards
Source: Jane Manchun Wong
Last week, reverse code engineer Jane Manchun Wong shared a screenshot on Twitter of a recent discovery that shows that Instagram is working on a way for business profiles to have the ability to promote the sale of gift cards. According to what she shared, those with business profiles would have a new ‘Links’ option within their settings that would enable them to link out to gift cards through a Stories sticker as well as a tab on their profile.
Also, there looks to be the ability for businesses to link out to donations and delivery options in a similar fashion.
Instagram is working on “Links” for business accounts,
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) March 26, 2020
letting businesses “set up links to giftcards from stories stickers and profile so customers can help the business” pic.twitter.com/XpOlWQ9gPT
Insights & Analysis:
Given the current situation with COVID-19 and many businesses especially small and independent businesses being impacted significantly when it comes to generating money, it’s likely these features were birthed over the last couple of weeks.
Whether it be through a Stories sticker or a link on their profile, enabling businesses to share a link to gift cards or a destination where they can receive donations allows them to get much-needed support during a challenging time and a potential revenue stream. Donations have always been a traditional way for people to support businesses and organizations that they care about, but gift cards have increasingly become a popular way for people to help out businesses in need.
By having the option to choose support through gift cards or donations, businesses can strategically align their choice with what would likely bring in the most support especially considering their vertical. For example, a restaurant would likely see more value in getting support through gift cards that can be used to purchase a meal at a later date while a musician would likely prefer to receive a donation.
Based on the quick roll-out of other COVID-19 related features like the Stay Home Sticker and Co-Watching, there’s a good chance that these features or at least some version of them will roll out soon.
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SOURCE: Twitter
