Instagram released a new messaging app called "Threads,"
With a surprise twist: it's only for your close friends. 👯
According to Instagram’s announcement, the new app was designed to help you stay connected with your closest friends and includes several appealing features, like the ability to create “statuses” and let your friends know what you’re up to.
Here’s everything you need to know:
How To Use Threads For Instagram:
Instagram’s new messaging app Threads is designed to make it easier for you to communicate with your closest friends.
First and foremost, it’s a messaging app that lets you quickly (and privately) share photos or videos with specific friends on Instagram. This is what it looks like in the app store:
Could you use this for business?
Short answer, YES!
The entire app is built around your Close Friends list, so if you have top fans, VIPS ect. you could use this feature for a select secret group of people. Making people feel special and superior to your brand to form an emotional connection? BIG YES.
When you open the app, it will ask you to pick your people: if you “uncheck” someone from this app, it will also remove them from your close friends' list.
If you don’t have a list set up yet, you can make one directly from Threads when you download the app.
You can now try on products before you buy them on Instagram.
SAY WHAAAAT?! Augmented reality, you'll never go shopping in real life again.
Instagram is expanding its push into online shopping with a brand new augmented reality shopping feature that allows consumers to “try on” products digitally before buying them.
Earlier this year, Instagram introduced a new checkout feature that lets you buy products directly on Instagram without ever leaving the app.
Now, with the new Spark AR integration, users will be able to virtually “try on” products before making a purchase in the app!
How to Shop with Augmented Reality on Instagram:
As successful as Instagram has been at building an online shopping platform, some products just can’t be adequately described with a photo or video.
But thanks to augmented reality, shoppers are able to virtually try on products before they purchase them.
While not wildly popular, Google, Facebook, Snapchat, and recently Youtube have all incorporated AR shopping features into their platforms – and now it’s Instagram’s turn!
Similar to how they initially rolled out custom augmented reality filters, Instagram is currently beta testing an AR shopping feature with select brands like Warby Parker, MAC Cosmetics, Ray-Ban, and NARS Cosmetics.
These brands will allow Instagram users to “try on” products before they checkout on Instagram.
How to Use Instagram’s AR Shopping Feature:
1. Start by tapping on a product tag in an Instagram story or post from one of the brands listed above:
2. On the product description page that opens up, you’ll find a new “Try It On” option:
3. Tapping the button will open your Instagram Stories camera with an AR effect featuring the product.
Depending on the product you’re browsing, you may also have the option to choose different colors and variations.
4. You’ll also find a button at the top of the camera that allows you to add the product to your shopping cart and proceed with checking out:
Instagram is already a major online shopping destination, but the merging of augmented reality and shopping is bound to open a floodgate of new opportunities for brands!
For example, furniture brands can use AR to show what their products would look like in people’s homes while brands can create virtual fitting rooms, allowing people to try on shirts, sunglasses, or entire outfits to see how it fits their shape and style.
Instagram Is Testing a New Product Launch Feature
A bit like Instagram’s countdown sticker, the new feature will allow users to set reminders of upcoming launches so they can buy products the moment they’re available.
Since early-2018, the platform has launched nearly a dozen features to make it easier for people to shop — everything from shopping stickers in Instagram Stories to their native checkout feature which lets you buy products without ever leaving the app.
And now it seems that Instagram has its eyes set on a new kind of shopping: product launches.
According to Instagram, “Once unconventional strategies, including creator collaborations and limited releases, are now being adopted by fashion, beauty and luxury brands.”
“With more of these shopping moments happening on Instagram, we wanted to make it easier for people to discover and follow upcoming product launches from brands and creators they love.”
While details are still limited, it looks like the new product launch feature will involve two separate elements: an Instagram Stories sticker and a product launch tag in-feed that lets people set reminders for the launch date, preview product details, and buy as soon as a product is available without leaving Instagram.
What’s really cool about this new feature is that when the time is nearly up, people who set a reminder for the product launch will receive a notification on their device.
In other words, your followers don’t actually have to be in the app to be reminded of your product launch. So it could be a great way to drive more sales in your next product launch on social media!
While it’s unclear when the new product launch feature will roll out globally, at the moment, it’s being tested in a closed beta with a select few businesses, including Adidas Originals, Benefit Cosmetics, Mr. Porter, Highsnobiety, and Soul Cycle (check out Instagram’s announcement for the full list!).
Stay tuned for more, and as always, go Make Them Talk 😘
Teri x
Sources; Later.com Images: Later.com