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Maggie Tillman, US contributing editor
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(Pocket-lint) - All Instagram users in the US with public accounts can now tag products in their posts. Previously, this feature was restricted to brands and some creators. Here is everything you need to know about product tagging on Instagram, including how to do it and whether you get a cut of the sales.
Read also: Instagram Stories tips and tricks: The ultimate guide
Influencers use the ability to tag products to show their audience and followers the various things they have in their posts and offer them a chance to buy them.
So, if your favourite chef uses a particular hot plate in all their viral videos, then maybe they'll tag it in future videos, allowing you to see the brand, model, and where to buy.
It's as simple as that. Even if you aren't an influencer or chef, you could use product tagging to showcase the things you love. Instagram noted users could also use product tagging to better "support their favorite small businesses".
During creation, you can tag up to 20 products per post. You can also tag products in both new and existing posts on your Instagram account.
Learn how to edit or delete product tags from Instagram's support guide here.
Your Instagram posts with product tags will appear in your followers' feeds, your profile, and in search results on Instagram. Instagram said it's working on bringing a similar feature to Stories.
You can also share an Instagram post with product tags to Facebook (just toggle on Facebook before posting).
For now, no. This isn't an affiliate opportunity, where you'd get a cut of sales from the products you tag, although Instagram has tested affiliates and is exploring ways for creators to earn a living on its platform.
No, not directly. Anyone who taps on a product tag from a brand or retailer will be able to buy that item on Instagram or by going to the brand or retailer's product detail page.
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Instagram has opened product tagging to all US users with public accounts.
Check out Instagram's blog post and support hub for more details.
Writing by Maggie Tillman.
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Image source: Getty Images
Shoppable Instagram tags can dramatically increase your website visitors and increase conversions. Learn how to experience increased revenue with product tagging.
Instagram has over 1 billion active users. Using Instagram for business is a great way to get your product in front of many consumers. Instagram now supports businesses with Instagram shoppable tags, which takes interested users directly to your website to make a purchase.
The ease of driving traffic with shoppable Instagram tags can dramatically increase your website visitors and boost sales. Natori was able to increase the traffic to its website by 1,417% using the product tagging feature. Magnolia Boutique saw a 20% increase in revenue when it used Instagram product tagging.
Instagram shoppable tags is an Instagram business feature that allows shop owners to tag products in their social media content. These tags then link back to a sales page. This allows users to make purchases from your Instagram store with just a few clicks.
Instagram product tagging is similar to the Swipe Up Instagram feature. It's a way to engage followers and direct them to your website or Instagram shop.
Instagram shoppable tags direct customers to a product page where they can purchase items. Users no longer have to type in your website and find the products on their own.
Before you can start tagging away at all the wonderful products you sell, you must be eligible to use Instagram shopping. You will need to set up a shop and get it approved through Instagram first.
The first step will be to read and agree with Instagram e-commerce policies. You must represent your business and domain, demonstrate trustworthiness, and follow best practices. These criteria must also be met.
Once you have qualified and agreed to Instagram’s policies, you need to connect your Instagram business account to a Facebook page.
This step maximizes the benefit of having an Instagram shop. Consider the benefits of linking your Facebook page to Instagram.
You'll need to sign up for a Facebook Business Manager account to set up your shop in Facebook Commerce Manager. This lets you manage your ad accounts, pages, and the people who may work on them.
Set up your shop in Facebook Commerce Manager. Select the checkout method and the sales channels to have a shop on Instagram or Facebook.
If you run your store with one of Instagram’s e-commerce platform partners, such as Shopify or BigCommerce, you can connect your catalog through them. This will automatically sync the product listings. Connecting your store through an e-commerce platform is recommended. It makes inventory tracking and managing orders much easier.
Once your shop is set up in Commerce Manager, you can add products by connecting to an existing catalog or add them individually.
During the setup in Commerce Manager, you will select an existing catalog or create a new one to hold inventory. Then you may add a catalog and products.
After you have products in your online shop, it's time to submit it to Instagram for review. The Instagram review process only takes a few days.
Sometimes businesses may need to provide Instagram with additional domain details. If you receive a notification, complete the domain verification process.
Once Instagram approves your account, you can turn on the shopping feature. Follow these simple steps.
Upload photos as you would for a regular post. You can tag up to five products for each photo.
Type the names of the products you want to tag. They must correspond to the product name in the catalog. Select them as they appear in the search box.
Finisterre UK tagged their insulated jacket with a shoppable tag. Image source: Author
The last thing you want is to create a ton of Instagram product posts that no one cares about. Before you plan out your social media content strategy, make sure you're following some simple guidelines that boost the conversion rate of product posts and increase your post visibility.
You can tag up to 20 products in a carousel post with ten photos. That gives you a chance to showcase a lot of great products at one time. A carousel post can function as a lookbook for a new collection. You can also use it for a special campaign and incorporate shoppable tags.
Help users find you with descriptive hashtags. Hashtags ensure the post is searchable on the Explore page. Many Instagram users follow hashtags, so when you use them they're more likely to show up in their newsfeed.
Saythelees used the hashtags #NARSissist to help users discover the radiant creamy concealer. Users can easily click on the link to put the concealer in the cart and purchase it. Image source: Author
Giveaways are a great way to hook your target market. People love to get something for free. When you create a promotional giveaway, include a hashtag to make it searchable.
Include instructions for followers to share the giveaway with their friends. This will increase your reach and drive traffic to your promotion.
Giveaways are a great way to feature the products you want to sell with shoppable tags. Not everyone will want to wait until the giveaway ends. Some people may want to purchase it right away. Tag the products you plan on giving away to allow followers to purchase them immediately.
Many businesses share user-generated content to build their brand on Instagram. They ask customers to share product reviews or photos featuring real buyers using the products. Then they share these posts on their profiles and mention the customer. The products in the pictures can be tagged with shoppable tags.
User-generated content increases social proof for your business. It increases customer loyalty, expands reach, and establishes trust for the business.
Create a regular posting schedule.
The Instagram algorithm displays posts of companies with regular engagement and interaction with their followers. Schedule Instagram posts when your target market is most likely to be online and able to interact with your posts. Social media management tools can help you keep track of what and when you post.
A social media strategy that includes Instagram shoppable tags can be a great way to grow your business. Tagging user-generated content demonstrates social proof. It shows off your products in context. This can help the customer envision themselves using the product.
Instagram product tagging also shortens the steps customers have to take to make a purchase. Customers no longer have to leave Instagram to find the product they're interested in on the company website. They can simply click on the product from the picture from their mobile device. These additional conveniences increase customer sales.
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Elena
Sergeeva Targeted advertising specialistAccording to Facebook Ads, 70% of users learn about new products from Instagram. To help sellers promote them, Instagram created the Instagram Shopping tool, which became available in Russia in March 2021. We will tell you why to connect this tool and how to set it up.
Instagram Shopping is a tool that allows you to tag products in your posts and Stories.
Instagram takes information about products from the catalog that the seller uploads.
The profile with the option enabled looks like this:
There is a bag icon on the photo, which means that if you open a post, goods will be marked in it. Source: COSSeveral items can be noted in the photo. When clicking on shopping tags, users will see the price and description of the product, and will also be able to follow the link and place an order on the site. nine0007
In addition to prices and the products themselves, the user also sees additional information about them: in the description, you can specify the composition of the fabric, size, available colors, etc. The user can also view the item from different angles in the gallery or learn about other products of the online store All this without leaving Instagram.
To get to the catalog with goods, you need to click on the "View store" button. Inside the store, products can be grouped into thematic collections, such as new arrivals or gifts.
nine0007
US residents can pay for items within the app using Facebook Pay. In other countries, including Russia, this option is not yet available: users follow the link on the product to an external site and pay for the order there.
You can keep up to date with the latest from your favorite brands. 
With Business Manager, you can manage your Facebook and Instagram accounts and pages, and assign people who can work with them. Log in to Commerce Manager, also found in your ad account.
The system prompts you to create a shop or catalog. The store is a single storefront for Instagram and Facebook, which is available to companies with physical goods. To promote products on Instagram, click Add Catalog. Choose the type of catalog depending on the subject of your business, e-commerce is suitable for online stores.
In the next step, you need to configure the parameters and method for loading products. From the drop-down list, select the advertising account to which the catalog will be linked. nine0007
You can create a catalog yourself - by uploading a spreadsheet or by connecting a pixel - or through integration with one of the partner platforms. In the second case, the goods will be loaded from an existing online store.
Click the "Create" button - the catalog is ready.
Important : the catalog must contain exact prices and information about the availability of each item. In addition, the rules for returning goods must also be indicated - on the store's website or in the Instagram account.
To proceed with product creation, select the desired catalog in Commerce Manager and then click Add Products.
Add products using one of the following methods:
If you choose to download manually, a form will open. In it you need to add the name of the product, its description, images, link to the site and price. The system will tell you which data is not required.
After completing the form and uploading, the products will appear in your catalog. nine0007
Inside the catalog, products can be grouped into collections: for example, by subject, season, upcoming holidays, etc. Collections help sellers to get to the user's interests more accurately, and users to quickly select goods.
You can create not only the standard collections, but also those that will attract more attention, such as "Top 10 coats" or "Gifts for best friends".
You can combine products into groups manually or using filters, for example, if there are a lot of products. nine0007
At the final stage, specify the name of the collection and click the "Create" button.
After creating a product catalog, you need to send an account for verification. The verification may take several days.
To add a catalog to Instagram, go to the "Settings" section in the application and select the "Company" tab.
Then click "Set up Instagram Shopping" and follow the prompts.
If the catalog passes the check, a "Purchases" section will appear in your Instagram account. Once your account is approved, turn on Instagram Shopping. To do this, in the "Purchases" section, select the product catalog that you want to connect, and click "Finish". nine0007
To tag an item in a post, start posting as usual - add a photo and post text, and then follow these steps:
You can also mark the product in Stories. To do this:
Up to 5 products can be tagged in one photo, up to 20 in total in the gallery. In Stories, a sticker is added to only one product, but you can change its color and text.
Instagram Shopping will increase sales and user engagement in your account. The product catalog can be used not only to familiarize subscribers with the assortment, but also to set up targeted advertising on Facebook and Instagram. nine0007
We especially recommend this tool for e-commerce: the user immediately sees the price and all information about the product. True, if a product or service involves preliminary communication with the client and a long transaction cycle, then the published price may scare the user away. Therefore, before using Instagram Shopping, consider whether the tool suits your product and the behavior of your target audience.
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Instagram Shopping is an Instagram feature that allows users to buy products directly from your photos or videos in any section of the app.
nine0008 When creating a store, you can choose how purchases will be made: on your website, on Facebook, on Instagram, or through private messages. But there is a nuance ⬇
The nuance is that in Russia you cannot sell inside the application. So we are forced to only show tags, information about the product in the "card" and then take it to the site. But thanks for that. And now about everything in order.
Answering questions:
As told by Instagram Product Director Ashley Yuki, a small number of Russian business accounts will get access to the features at random , and Shopping will become available to the rest in the coming months.
What is a store?
Shops on Instagram create a showcase on your profile so people can easily find your products.
Customers can go to the store through the company's Instagram profile, feed, and stories. In the store, you can explore the range and go to your favorite products. nine0007
What does the user see?
In the search on the "shops" tab, a person will see:
And you can buy goods inside Instagram...
...in Russia?
— No, in Russia you cannot buy goods inside the app and arrange delivery. The button on the product details page will redirect customers to your site to complete the checkout. nine0007
...in the USA?
- Yes, Instagram checkout is available (Currently, checkout is available for all sellers in the US and some companies in other countries).
Instagram's checkout feature allows U.S. businesses and creators (that qualify) to sell their products directly within the app. It works on the basis of the Facebook Pay service.
Companies decide for themselves whether or not to enable the checkout feature on Instagram. If they decide not to connect, they will be able to transfer the user to the site, and use Instagram solely as a showcase. nine0007
Your company and bank account must be registered in the US. If you're temporarily in a country where Instagram Shopping isn't available (for example, while traveling), you may lose the ability to tag products. Restoring access may take up to 2 weeks.
What are collections?
- You can group products by topic in the same way as categories on the site or by topic, season, and even events, helping people find exactly what they need. nine0007
It is not necessary to be limited to dry category names, as well as "big sale", "black friday", "premium", "new", "bestsellers", "best deals", "buy in time".
Analyze foreign competitors and create your own selections, for example:
What are product tags?
- By clicking on the label (tag), a person will be taken to a page with information about the product, from where they can go to your site and make a purchase.
Is it possible to mark the product in the text for publications and in the bio...
...in Russia?
— No. Until there is a function for registering and paying for goods in the application, most likely it will not be possible to configure this. nine0007
...in the USA?
- Yes, if the business uses Instagram's checkout feature.
You can pin the item live...
...in Russia?
— No. Until there is a function of registration and payment for goods in the application.
...in the USA?
- Yes, if the business uses Instagram's checkout feature.
Can I pin a product on IG TV? nine0007
Yes.
Is it possible to make a collab with a blogger so that our product is tagged in his photo...
...in Russia?
— No.
...in the USA?
Yes. A blogger can put a product tag on his photos and people will be able to buy this product directly on Instagram. Of course, if checkout is set up.
Can I customize ads with product tags?
- Yes. You can promote in the feed and in the popular existing publications with tagged products or create ads from scratch in Ads Manager.
Shopping ads
In Russia, only 1 option is possible so far (on the left).
See Shopping ads guide.
Custom Audiences
You can create custom audiences for advertising - segments of buyers who performed certain actions, for example, clicked on a product tag, viewed / saved the product. Thus, we catch a person who wanted to buy, but something went wrong. nine0007
If you're already running Shopping ads, you can create a new custom audience in Ads Manager to reach new buyers.
This will allow you to find new people who are similar to your most valuable customers, have not yet interacted with the content, but might be interested in the company's products.
See the audience setup guide.
Where do we transfer a person from advertising?
nine0184...in Russia?
- Clicking on an ad with a product tag will take a person to a page with information about the product, from where they can go to your site and make a purchase.
...in the USA?
- Tagged ads direct users not only to the website, but also to checkout on Instagram. But let me remind you that just placing an order on Instagram is currently only available in the United States.
Is it possible to announce the arrival of a new product...
...in Russia?
- No, because you can't sell inside Instagram.
...in the USA?
Yes. Companies will be able to announce the arrival of new products or the start of a sale on Instagram, and users will be able to set reminders when sales begin. But this feature is currently only available to businesses that use Instagram checkout.
Instagram Shopping Assortment Management
nine0184 To sell products on Facebook and Instagram, you need to upload them to the catalog. This will require the Commerce Manager tool. The service helps to create a catalog, process orders, and so on.
With Catalog Manager, you can change the following information (and more) at any time:
nine0008 Important! Product information in Facebook Commerce Solutions must contain accurate pricing and availability information. Your return policy must be clearly stated and available on your website or on Facebook or Instagram.
Steps to create a store
Step 1: Check eligibility
Step 2: Convert your profile to a business account
Step 3: Connect your Facebook Page
Step 4: Upload the product catalog
Step 5: Get your account verified
Step 6: Enable Instagram Shopping
Step 7: Start creating content that you can interact with
Useful links:
Detailed video instructions will be recorded later and posted on the "Marketing Tools" channel.
