Shoploop: An Advertisingly Mash Up of Mobile, Influencers, Amazon, and TikTok
July 20, 2020
Google has a secret laboratory. It’s not the moon shot outfit. It’s not the Camelot of 20 percent time. Don’t tell anyone, please. The real hot stuff comes from Area 120.
The innovators have developed a completely original mobile application, which will be arriving on desktops soon.
Google has blended short videos with product demonstrations. A dash of Google Local makes the innovation come alive, or as alive as short videos can be.
Yes, there was a Shoploop Web site and even a Facebook page. The secret name of the Area 120 innovation is not exactly original.
According to Google, Shoploop is an entertaining new way to shop online.
“Google’s New Video-Shopping App Is Like a Telemarketing Channel for Influencers” reports:
It’s no secret that Google has a tight grip on the online shopping market. From its Shopping section in Search, and its large ad network, to numerous product reviews on YouTube, the company has become a staple of online consumerism. And now the company wants to capitalize on its dominance in the market with a new shopping app.
Those are bold statements. DarkCyber’s inflows of information suggest that online shopping has undergone a bit of a shift in the last 24 months; namely, Amazon’s share of product searches has continued to increase. One source hinted that Google’s product search traffic has dropped by double digits in the last six months. Perhaps DarkCyber’s source has missed the email that Google has a “tight grip on the online shopping market”?
The write up explains:
Enter Shoploop, a video shopping platform for discovering, evaluating, and buying products all in one place. It’s basically like a social media platform built around product reviews and affiliate links. Users will be able to save products to check out later, or simply follow creators for more content.
Google, it seems, has invented a way to use people with YouTube traffic, product demos, short form videos, and a recycled name “Shoploop” to break through the boundaries of Japanese 20 something explaining how she spends her evening after work. Each of the food ingredients, slippers, and household objects can be purchased by a viewer.
A video Sears & Roebuck catalog!
The write up clarifies the insight:
Google says the idea for Shoploop came after its research showed that people often follow a very specific path to buying products. Once they come across something that catches their eye, they’ll often seek reviews from real people on other platforms like YouTube, and then circle back to an online shop to complete the purchase.
Gentle reader, you too can create videos, sell products, and ride the energy beam that will vaporize Amazon eCommerce. The write up reports:
At launch, the app will mainly focus on “categories such as makeup, skincare, hair and nails.” Google is also limiting access solely to content creators, publishers, and online store owners, but if you fit that description you can apply to be an exclusive creator by clicking here.
Imagine thousands of Twitch streamers abandoning the Amazon platform to create 90 second product demos. Think of the revenue flowing to Google if just a small percentage of Facebook users start making Shoploop videos. The curves in the Google Excel clone would make an MBA weep tears of joy.
DarkCyber believes that Shoploop is a revolutionary product in the manner of Stadia, not a bold move like Google Glass. You remember Google Glass, right?
Shoploop: Home shopping TV in TikTok format on a mobile device.
And advertising? DarkCyber did not overlook advertising. Everything Google does seems to focus on finding ways to put advertising in front of eyeballs.
But innovations like Shoploop can only emerge bright young minds combine ideas in Eureka! moments.
Oh, wait, a moment. Doesn’t Amazon offer videos like this one:
Yikes, Doesn’t Facebook do video too; for instance:
Area 120 has figured out the “me too” approach to innovation that’s evident. I definitely need a way to learn how to use male oriented cosmetics.
Stephen E Arnold, July 20, 2020
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