On July 18th Amazon added a new feature to its Amazon iPhone app called Dubbed Spark, a new shopping social network that lets consumers follow specific categories and people. 

“Whether you’re looking for inspiration for home décor or seeking advice for the best long-distance running shoes, Spark makes it easy to discover — and shop — stories and ideas from a community that likes what you like,” Amazon said in an introduction to the service.

From reading up on Spark, its purpose and layout comes off as a mix of Pinterest and Instagram uses.

Dubbed Spark encourages Amazon customers to post images, stories and ideas about products they like; the service also encourages users to tag products featured in their posts if they are available on Amazon, allowing others users to purchase the products by tapping on the image (Musil, 2017)

Only available on Amazon’s iOS app, Dubbed Spark is currently available only to Amazon’s premium-paying Prime members in the US. Non-Prime members can peruse Spark feeds but can’t post or comment.

Source: Musil, S. (2017, July 19). Amazon launches Spark, a social network for its shoppers. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-launches-spark-a-social-network-for-its-shoppers/.