Snapchat launched its visual search feature, named Snapchat Visual Search. But it’s not just a new feature. This new feature is a money-maker.
Read on to learn more.
Summary
Companies and brands have been investing in visual search. It also aids retailers in giving shoppable content. Thus, visual search help increases revenues.
Moreover, more and more social media apply visual search. Such as:
- Pinterest Lens
- Instagram Shopping
- and many more
With that, Amazon partnered with Snapchat. They want to challenge Pinterest and Instagram for social shopping.
Also, Instagram added shopping tags in Stories. They also launched a Shopping channel in Explore.
On the other hand, Pinterest also released the Shop the Look pins. In fact, a total of 250 million users became active.
With that, Snapchat Visual Search can be a competitor for Pinterest Lens. The latter also ventured into shoppable content.
So, Snapchat believes that their active users will also increase. Snap’s audience is young and culture-obsessed.
Snapchat Visual Search
In 2018, Snapchat rolled out this new feature. Users can search for Amazon products from the Snap camera. This new feature is called Snapchat Visual Search.
It also gives an additional function to Snapchat. So, no need to exit the app if you want to buy something.
Usages of Snapchat Visual Search
In the description, it says:
“Press and hold. Identify an object, song, bar code, and more!”
Also, this new feature helps to identify products. For example, you saw a pair of shoes. But you don’t know its name.
Snapchat will identify that for you!
Moreover, this search will become word-of-mouth marketing. Once someone posts a product, it’s like posting a billboard for it!
But, Snapchat did not reveal some details. Such as the financial terms of the partnership with Amazon.
Snap could get a referral fee for every purchase. They could also get a utility in exchange for the legwork.
Yet, according to its spokesperson, they simply want the camera to be a cursor. That connects the real and digital worlds.
How to use Snapchat Visual Search
So, how does it work? It’s super easy to use.
Saw an item you want to buy? Or a song? Simply point your camera at a product or a barcode.
Next, press down the screen. And wait for the camera to recognize it.
After that, an Amazon link will appear. It will also show some product information, such as:
- product name
- price
- thumbnail photo
- average review score
- availability
Then, choose from the products available. Finally, you can complete your purchase.
Moreover, Snapchat identifies if it is an actual product or not. It can also scan other codes. It includes a song from Spotify or a QR snap code.
Conclusion
Snapchat started as a Camera company. It works just to share moments with other people.
But now, it attempts to be a revenue-generating machine. And this is highly affected by its rival Instagram.
Still, because of this new feature, things can turn around. For now, we’ll see what comes next of its efforts.
