Instagram quietly rolls out in-app payment feature for commerce

Instagram has just quietly rolled out its payments feature as a test appearing for some users, according to TechCrunch today. The new feature allows users add a credit or debit card and a pin for additional security. After the first setup, Instagram users can make purchases straight from the app. For now, some users are able to book appointments at spas and restaurants through a third-party integration with dinner reservation app Resy.

This leading social media platform, Instagram has also confirmed that users are able to book services from a limited number of businesses on Instagram. The in-app payments feature appears to be a continuation of Instagram’s plans from March last year to give business profiles the option to let users book services. It’s only rolled out to some users, although in the March announcement, Instagram said it would roll out the feature later in 2017. It appears that never happened, and the rollout is just now beginning, albeit in a test phase.

Given how many influencers on this awesome social platform already peddle different products from wonder bras to holographic Macbook cases, there are plenty of businesses out there that could make use of the new feature if Instagram does decide to fully expand in-app payments.