Instagram adds new features to help save small businesses suffering due to Covid-19

Tech news 17 April 2020

Instagram in the aim of helping small businesses survive while struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic has added new options for users to select such as purchasing gift cards or to host fundraisers for small businesses.

"Today, we’re making it easier to discover gift cards, online food orders, and fundraisers on Instagram so you can support the businesses you love. Businesses can share new gift card, food order, and fundraiser stickers in Stories and on their profiles. When you see gift cards or food orders, you can tap to make your purchase through our partner’s site. Fundraisers open on Facebook to a personal fundraiser created by business owners or their supporters," Instagram said in a statement.

Gift cards can now be selected as a profile communication box option for businesses or posted as stickers in Stories.

Fundraiser pages link to the small company’s Facebook page or a page created by supporters or fans.

Here are examples:

Food order sticker being displayed in Stories

The company added that Gift cards and food orders for delivery and takeout are available in the US and Canada starting today and will roll out globally in the coming weeks, and fundraisers will be coming soon.

Written by: Gabriella Steyn.

Guzzle Media