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The payments feature allows Instagram users to add a credit or debit card to Instagram to make purchases of advertised products and services directly within the Instagram app.
Instagram already has a shopping feature through Shoppable tags, but it requires users to access a third-party website to complete payments, so it is not the same as the new native option.
An Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch that native payments are currently available to some users for booking appointments at locations like restaurants and salons.
Users who have access to the Payments feature will find it within the Instagram settings. A Profile tab allows a Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or Discover credit or debit card to be added to the app, while a Security tab allows users to set a PIN for authorizing purchases. A separate Activity tab lists anything that a user has purchased on Instagram.
Instagram has enabled Payments for a select number of retail partners, such as dinner reservation app Resy. Businesses that use Resy can accept in-app reservations and bookings using stored payment methods.
Payments will expand to other products and services in the future, according to Instagram, allowing users to do things like purchase movie tickets and other items.
