Amazon’s Social Network Spark Goes Dark

After rolling out only about two years ago, shopping social network Amazon Spark has reportedly recently left Amazon’s apps and the internet. The feature reportedly aimed to connect the gap between socializing and online shopping, Mashable reported.

Through the service, users of Prime could put photos on a feed that was similar to Instagram that had a built-in click-to-purchase functionality. The outlet, however, reported that the eCommerce retailer “clearly still hopes shoppers will broadcast the things they buy” through a function dubbed #FoundItOnAmazon. It said the function appears to be a cross between the Explore tab of Instagram as well as Pinterest. The page amazon.com/spark sends users to a page for #FoundItOnAmazon.

In other social media shopping news, photo and video sharing social media platform operator Instagram was reportedly launching a trial of a program that would enable consumers to shop and check out through its app per news in March. According to a report at the time, the company was piloting the offering with over 20 fashion and beauty brands. Users can swipe a product on Instagram and are brought to the vendor’s website to place an order, as it stood at the time.

Through the trial, users who click on a button for “View the Product” will see a choice for “Checkout on Instagram” in lieu of being brought to the vendor’s website. At the same time, it was reported that payment information entered on Instagram can be saved and orders can be managed from the app.

News also surfaced at the time that shoppers can purchase in the app from Adidas, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Nike, Kylie Cosmetics, ColourPop, Huda Beauty, KKW Beauty and Ouai Hair. The report noted that the brands that are taking part in the pilot were among the most popular ones on the social media platform.