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| Amazon has launched a TikTok-like short video shopping service |
Today, Thursday, Amazon announced the launch of a new shopping experience very similar to the Tik Tok service, with the aim of increasing sales and attracting consumers who prefer this type of shopping.
The US e-commerce giant said its Inspire service is a series of short videos and images that allow consumers to explore products and ideas, as well as purchase content created by influencers, brands and other customers.
Amazon is believed to have developed the service to distract consumers from apps like TikTok, where brands can now market their products directly to consumers.
Starting this month, Inspire will roll out first to a group of US customers and in the coming months to broader US customers, Amazon said.
The service's launch follows tests earlier this year in which Amazon experimented with a TikTok-style shopping feed.
Users can now access the service by clicking the Inspire icon in the Amazon Shopping app, which will bring them to a list of more than 20 interests to choose from: beauty, skin care, pets, toys, plants, hiking, interior design, travel, running, and other options to view. Interest based videos.
While Inspire focuses on short video content, it also offers photo support, making it a cross between TikTok and Instagram. You can double tap anywhere on the screen to like something with a red heart.
Videos can be browsed by swiping the screen vertically, and there are also share buttons on the right side of the screen, similar to TikTok.
When users see something they like, they can click the small button at the bottom of the window associated with an Amazon product. Initially, clicking the buttons will display the product in a video overlay window, but clicking the "View full details" option takes them to the item's product page where they can learn more, make a purchase, or view it in a list that can be added.
Over time, Amazon says, the feed will become more personalized because Inspire learns users' interests by tracking their interactions and tastes.
In the long term, the company plans to add more shopping features to Inspire, as well as additional in-app features and content to further improve the product.