Twitter continues to tinker with its shopping functions. Now the short message service is launching the test phase for the new “Product Drops” feature. We explain the background.
It was only in March that Twitter launched the test phase for the Twitter Shops feature. Companies can upload up to 50 of their products and thus open their own small store on the short message service. Now the short message service is following suit and launching the test phase for the next new shopping feature with “Product Drops.
What is behind Twitter’s new “Product Drops” feature?
With “Product Drops,” product announcements from brands and companies will no longer disappear into oblivion in the future. With the new feature, users can be reminded of the sales launch.
So when a brand announces a new product or limited edition, fans no longer have to worry about missing out on the sale and perhaps even the product in question. The “Remind me” button then appears in the seller’s tweet when a product is announced. If users click on this, they will be reminded on the day of the sale launch.
Those who want to know more about the announced product can click on the tweet of the brand or company. An overview with the price, description and pictures of the item will then appear here.
Once the time of the sale has come, users:inside will receive a reminder in their notifications 15 minutes before the start and at the actual start of the sale. Another button will then appear here, allowing interested parties to purchase the product in question on the website.
Where are the “Product Drops” available so far?
So far, only users in the USA can test the new shopping feature. And here, too, there are further restrictions. The “Product Drops” are currently only available on iOS devices that are used in English.
Twitter has invited so-called “managed partners” to start the test phase. Users can test the function with them. These include brands such as Dior, Fossil and Lego.
According to the announcement, the partners will soon offer the first product drops. Then iOS users in the USA will be able to test the feature for the first time.
Twitter and its shopping efforts
Twitter has been experimenting with a shopping function for its own platform for a comparatively long time. Initial tests were already underway in 2015. However, these had to be put on hold for other developments.
The first test phase for Twitter Shopping began in July 2021. In the meantime, competing platforms such as Instagram had also integrated a shopping function into their feeds. So the time was ripe to offer an online shopping option on Twitter as well.
Since then, the short message service has been experimenting with various functions. Whether live shopping in cooperation with Walmart or Twitter Shops, where brands and companies can publish entire collections with up to 50 products.
