Instagram lets users buy products through DMs

The parent company of Instagram, Meta Platforms, has announced that the app is getting a payment feature that will let users buy from small businesses through direct messages (DMs).

Meta says that users will be able to buy things from small businesses on Instagram without having to leave the chat. Before, users had to leave a post and send a message to the business to ask about a product they wanted to buy. Users can now talk right in the chat about customizations and place orders.

On the same chat thread, it will also be easy to check on the order and ask any follow-up questions. Meta Pay can also be used to pay for purchases. Meta says that the payments will be processed securely and that purchases will be safe.

The social media giant launched Shops at the beginning of 2020 so that people could find and buy things on Facebook and Instagram.

The company also told businesses to set up Shops on Instagram and Facebook as their online storefronts.

This update is currently rolling out only in the US with its global launch not confirmed. Also worth noting is that Meta Pay is also not operational in many countries, including India.

In related news, Instagram last week announced new features for creators. This is part of the company's plan to make Instagram "the best online place for creators to make a living," as the company put it.

The company has added subscriber chats, subscriber reels, subscriber posts, and a subscriber home. Users will be able to filter out posts that are only available to them under a dedicated tab.

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