Snapchat Ties up with Amazon for Point-and-Buy feature

Snapchat is testing a new Point-and-Buy feature to search for products on Amazon.com through its app’s camera, allowing users to shop directly using this social media app.

This new visual search function will allow Snapchat users to point its camera at an item or barcode they like and it will take the user to that product page and then one can buy it from Amazon.

Users can use Snapchat’s camera to scan a physical object or barcode, which brings up a card showing that item and similar ones along with the item’s name, price, image, average rating and Prime availability. When they tap on a card, they’ll be sent to Amazon’s app or site. Amazon’s machine vision technology recognizes artwork, logos, packaging or other unique identifying marks to find the product on Amazon.

The company said “Beginning this week, we’re testing a new way to search for products on Amazon right from the Snapchat camera. We’ll be rolling it out slowly, but we wanted to announce it to everyone at the same time”.

“It’s super easy to use. Simply point your Snapchat camera at a physical product or barcode, and press and hold on the camera screen to get started,” the company added.

Snapchat also said, “When the item or barcode is recognized, an Amazon card will appear on-screen, surfacing a link for that product or similar ones available on Amazon.”

Further, the company said that it would be rolling out the feature to its users in a phased manner. It will be rolled out for USA Snap users in a small percentage and then later on the company will consider rolling out to other countries.

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