Instagram Beefs Up Shopping Tools

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri rounded up some new features coming to Instagram at the Facebook F8 developer conference on Tuesday (April 30), according to reports.

Mosseri said Instagram is getting three major new enhancements: an improved camera interface, donation stickers and curated product collections.

“People come to Instagram to be with their close friends. They stay to be inspired by art, fashion, sports, and entertainment — as well as the people behind those crafts,” Instagram wrote in a blog post. “Enabling expression and fostering those connections are at the heart of Instagram, and today we’re announcing new ways to strengthen those connections with the people and things you love.”

Checkout, a new tool Instagram initiated earlier this year that lets merchants sell directly to users, is getting a tagging tool that will let users search for looks or items from specific creators. Those creators will include personalities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, and brands like Vogue, Hypebeast and GQ.

Creators will simply tag items and their followers will be able to buy them right in the app.

New stickers in stories will also make it easier for people to donate to charities. Users can choose a sticker for a group like Black Girls Code, Boys & Girls Clubs of America or GLAAD.

“The donation sticker will help us create two-way conversations with current and new supporters that will elevate awareness for the Boys & Girls Club brand in a whole new way,” Boys & Girls Clubs of America Senior Vice President Karl Kaiser said. “Instagram is one of our fastest-growing channels, and it’s critical for our mission to have the ability on this platform to inspire advocacy around issues that impact kids and teens everywhere.”

The third new enhancement is to the camera interface. Instagram says the camera will have a “fresh look” with a new semicircle mode switcher that will let users share stories with Quizzes, GIFs and other content.

“This new camera will make it simpler to use popular creative tools like effects and interactive stickers, so you can express … what [you’re] doing, thinking, or feeling more freely,” Instagram wrote in a blog post, “especially for those moments in-between when there isn’t photo or video to share.”