Snapchat partners with Amazon to let users shop from pictures

Snapchat is testing a new visual search tool and is partnering with Amazon to launch it. The new feature will make it possible to take a picture of a product or barcode with the Snapchat camera, then press and hold on the camera screen to launch an Amazon product page to learn more and make a purchase.

Why retail marketers should care

With this new Amazon partnership, Snapchat is giving Amazon retailers a whole new e-commerce channel without any work on their part. As long as Snapchat’s visual discovery tool can identify and find a product or bar code, a purchase can be made with a minimal number of clicks.

“Simply point your Snapchat camera at a physical product or barcode, and press and hold on the camera screen to get started,” writes Snapchat on its news blog.

Once the picture is taken, a user can hold down on the camera screen, and if the product or bar code can be identified, the app will display an Amazon card showing a related product page that can open in Amazon’s app or mobile site.

More on Snap’s e-commerce efforts

• Snapchat did not release any financial details around whether it will be taking a portion of the Amazon sales revenue generated by the app.
• It said the visual search tool attached to Amazon is being tested now, and that a rollout of the feature will be slow.
• Snapchat has launched a number of new e-commerce efforts this year, from Shoppable AR Lenses to new e-commerce options for Discover partners.
• Partnering with Amazon to launch this visual search feature further demonstrates Snapchat’s focus on e-commerce and puts it in line to compete with Instagram and Pinterest — both of which are elbowing their way into the e-commerce ecosystem taking shape on social platforms.

About The Author

Amy Gesenhues

Amy Gesenhues is a senior editor for Third Door Media, covering the latest news and updates for Marketing Land, Search Engine Land and MarTech Today. From 2009 to 2012, she was an award-winning syndicated columnist for a number of daily newspapers from New York to Texas. With more than ten years of marketing management experience, she has contributed to a variety of traditional and online publications, including MarketingProfs, SoftwareCEO, and Sales and Marketing Management Magazine. Read more of Amy's articles.