Collective Voice

You asked, we answered. Debunking the cookie window myth, clarity on Instagram browser windows, and tips on how to convert in Stories – all that and more below!

Instagram Stories are a fantastic way to create an authentic connection with your followers, and the Swipe Up feature is increasingly becoming the best way to monetize those followers. Using ShopStyle Collective links and ShopStyle Looks pages in Swipe Up is the key to a successful Instagram content strategy, with the potential to be a viable source of earnings. We’re seeing Instagram Story conversion consistently increase, which tells us that shoppers are becoming more comfortable purchasing within the platform.

 

What about the five-minute cookie window? Let’s start by debunking this myth. Claims that the Instagram cookie window only lasts for a few seconds, or minutes, have proven to be false. Our team ran in-house tests, and the data shows that clicks are being accounted for well beyond the five-minute mark. In fact, clicks on Instagram have been tied to sales that happen weeks later, and users earn their rightful commissions.

 

How did we come to this conclusion? We analyzed data from the entire ShopStyle Collective network for the Instagram browser specifically over a 30-day period, and found that order distribution extends beyond 24 hours. While the vast majority of orders do happen the same day as the click (as expected), there were orders recorded 24 days after click-through.

 

How do cookies work on Instagram? Clicks on links within Instagram lead to a browser within the Instagram app. Cookies are stored within the larger app program, and do not disappear when a browser window is closed. This is similar to what happens when a shopper clicks a ShopStyle Collective link on the Chrome or Safari browser. If the browser window is closed, the cookie dropped is still active within the app and will keep track of whether or not that shopper makes a purchase through that specific ShopStyle Collective link. Learn more about Instagram cookies here.

 

Do people only buy low-priced items on Instagram? Shoppers are converting at a higher rate for easy, low-risk purchases, but it’s certainly not limited to low price points. Order values for purchases range from $10 to over $350. Makeup, jewelry, and apparel where sizing is simple (e.g. jackets, hoodies and leggings) are some of the top-converting products from Instagram. Understanding what your Instagram audience is shopping for can help you pick the right products to link out to for better conversion.