Facebook tests ‘buy’ button under advertisements

Facebook is currently piloting a ‘buy’ button, which will allow users to buy products directly from the social network. The entire sales process then takes place within Facebook.

The button can be found under advertisements; if users click on it, they can purchase the product directly from Facebook. In addition, Facebook takes care of the processing of the payment; the payment details are not shared with the seller.

Currently, only small and medium-sized companies from the United States can test the functionality, Facebook has announced; nothing has yet been said about a possible wider roll-out to other countries.

For the time being, participating companies do not have to pay to use the functionality, but Facebook has told TechCrunch that it does not rule out that they will have to do so in the future. This is also obvious: almost all payment platforms charge a commission for their services.