What is Social Commerce?

Social Commerce refers to the practice of buying and selling products or services directly within social media platforms. Here’s a concise explanation:

Social Commerce is the integration of e-commerce functionality into social media platforms, allowing users to complete the entire shopping process – from product discovery to purchase – without leaving their preferred social media app. This approach leverages social networks’ user engagement and connectivity to create a more interactive and seamless shopping experience.

Key features of Social Commerce often include:

1. Shoppable posts or ads
2. In-app checkout processes
3. Product recommendations based on user interests and social connections
4. User-generated content like reviews and photos
5. Direct messaging between buyers and sellers

Popular platforms for Social Commerce include Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. While Facebook leads Social Commerce in many Western markets, the adoption rate varies across different regions and demographics.

Social Commerce aims to reduce friction in the online shopping journey by capitalizing on users’ existing social media habits and trusted networks.