Facebook is testing a new Shop tab in the Instagram app. The company first announced this test back in May, and now the social media giant adding this new design for some users. The Shop tab allows users to buy products from top brands and content creators right through Instagram’s navigation bar with only one tap.
Using the Shop tab, you can filter various products by categories, as you currently do via the already present Shop experience in the Explore tab of the Instagram app. In this global test, Instagram has replaced the traditional heart icon in the navigation menu with a new shopping bag icon. If you tap on the new shopping icon, you will be directed to the Instagram Shop section.
Previously, the Shop section was only available to Instagram users in the United States. However, it will now be available to users across the globe. With the Instagram Shop section, you can browse and purchase products without having to leave the app.
However, the company announced in May that it plans to introduce a newly designed Shop section with a different layout than what is available to users currently. It seems that the company is not testing out those changes right now.
If you are on the test, you can still access the Activity tab at the top of your Feed. You can also access the Activity tab by navigating to your profile and then tapping the heart icon. The new version of the Shop in the navigation menu is slightly different from its previous version.
With the new version, you can only filter brands that you follow on Instagram. The company has designed the other version of Shop which is accessible via Explore to surface products from a wider selection of brands. You can filter products by categories like Clothing and Accessories, Jewelry, Watches, and Beauty, etc.
Additionally, not all the products showcased in the new version will allow you to check out directly from the app’s universal cart. Some retailers have products tagged for shopping, but they direct Instagram users to their sites to complete the transaction process. Instagram is testing out two distinct versions of Shop to determine the best way to release the feature for all users around the world in the future.
Instagram has not downgraded the Activity tab for the first time in its history. The company also removed a feature in 2019 that allows users to see which posts their friends were liking.
As of now some users are not happy with the Instagram's decisions to replace the Heart icon with shopping tab, "I want it back to the way it was", tweeted a user. While another user expressed that the replacement of shop section was a "a terrible choice".
While some users are frustrated with the new update, some still feel positive about it as it will let them shop directly from their favorite brand right through IG app.
Have you experienced the new Shop tab in Instagram app yet? What do you think about the test? Let us know your thoughts in the comments by tagging us on social media.
Read next: Instagram Is Testing A Feature That Will Suggest You Who To Block On The App
Using the Shop tab, you can filter various products by categories, as you currently do via the already present Shop experience in the Explore tab of the Instagram app. In this global test, Instagram has replaced the traditional heart icon in the navigation menu with a new shopping bag icon. If you tap on the new shopping icon, you will be directed to the Instagram Shop section.
Previously, the Shop section was only available to Instagram users in the United States. However, it will now be available to users across the globe. With the Instagram Shop section, you can browse and purchase products without having to leave the app.
However, the company announced in May that it plans to introduce a newly designed Shop section with a different layout than what is available to users currently. It seems that the company is not testing out those changes right now.
If you are on the test, you can still access the Activity tab at the top of your Feed. You can also access the Activity tab by navigating to your profile and then tapping the heart icon. The new version of the Shop in the navigation menu is slightly different from its previous version.
With the new version, you can only filter brands that you follow on Instagram. The company has designed the other version of Shop which is accessible via Explore to surface products from a wider selection of brands. You can filter products by categories like Clothing and Accessories, Jewelry, Watches, and Beauty, etc.
Additionally, not all the products showcased in the new version will allow you to check out directly from the app’s universal cart. Some retailers have products tagged for shopping, but they direct Instagram users to their sites to complete the transaction process. Instagram is testing out two distinct versions of Shop to determine the best way to release the feature for all users around the world in the future.
Instagram has not downgraded the Activity tab for the first time in its history. The company also removed a feature in 2019 that allows users to see which posts their friends were liking.
As of now some users are not happy with the Instagram's decisions to replace the Heart icon with shopping tab, "I want it back to the way it was", tweeted a user. While another user expressed that the replacement of shop section was a "a terrible choice".
I don't scroll through newsfeed. Up til now, I would go on once or twice a day to check/reply to comments. Without the ability to see activity on my posts, there isn't much of a point of me having it. In the meantime, you can reach me on Discord, Twitter, or email.— Shank (@ShankMods) July 9, 2020
Taking away the "LIKES" tab at the bottom tray and replacing it for the shopping section is a terrible choice @instagram pic.twitter.com/sZXHf3GFgV— FunnyTummy (@FunnyTummy) July 8, 2020
Did anybody else's #instagram change the like tab on the navigation bar with the shopping tab? I want it back to the way it was pic.twitter.com/Zm7bdvDAFb— MVKO (@MVKO_tsunami) July 8, 2020
We let Instagram get away with not having the activity tab too easy— rosie 🍉 (@sunvoIume6) July 7, 2020
What has happened to @instagram activity tab? Why has such an important tab been replaced with a "shop" tab I will never use?— Benjayy (@BenjayyTV) July 8, 2020
i miss the friends activity tab on instagram WHY DID THEY GET RID OF IT— furry (@ihateslenderman) July 3, 2020
While some users are frustrated with the new update, some still feel positive about it as it will let them shop directly from their favorite brand right through IG app.
Instagram is rolling out a shop tab globally (where the activity tab is) to a small number of people— The BKH - The IG Stories guy (@thebkh) July 7, 2020
It’s basically an explore page for shopping
We’ll all soon be able to shop from our favourite brands, right on IG pic.twitter.com/R64yTiaH4R
Have you experienced the new Shop tab in Instagram app yet? What do you think about the test? Let us know your thoughts in the comments by tagging us on social media.
Read next: Instagram Is Testing A Feature That Will Suggest You Who To Block On The App
