Given how many brands and companies use Instagram to advertise their products, it wasn’t surprising that eventually Instagram brought a feature to its platform that allowed users to shop within the app. Now it looks like they’ll be taking it one step further by launching a standalone shopping app.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but this is according to a report from The Verge who has learned that there is such an app in development. However it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will launch as their sources have told them that the project could be cancelled, but at the very least it sounds like Instagram is testing out something.
Like we said, shopping is not a new feature for Instagram, but it is unclear if a standalone and separate app dedicated for Instagram shopping is necessary, or how it would differ from the current shopping experience. That being said, as The Verge points out, Instagram has been branching out in what they offer, and not too long ago the company launched its own YouTube competitor in the form of IGTV which allows users to post long-form videos.
A shopping app would be interesting, but as Instagram is owned by Facebook and given the social network’s privacy scandals, we wouldn’t be surprised if there are some who might be hesitant to hand over more information.