Instagram has been pretty active when it comes to facilitating people and businesses that are affected by the coronavirus.
Yesterday, Instagram has added a new Live Donation option to Instagram Live, which will help users in fundraising for a cause during a live session.
According to Instagram:
"Many people are facing challenges at this time, and we want to do our part to support nonprofits and communities who need it the most. Now, you can easily create a fundraiser on Live with 100% of the money raised going directly to the nonprofit of your choice."
To introduce this feature to your Instagram Live, you will have to choose the 'Fundraiser' option on the left of the screen before starting your Instagram live session. When you tap that option you will be given the option to choose from different nonprofits to support.
During the live session, you will be able to view all the people who have supported the cause you choose along with a real-time listing of the total money raised. You can also thank each user who has donated by tapping the 'Wave' button that's next to their name.
To boost awareness for fundraisers in Instagram Live, Insta has also enabled an 'I Donated' sticker that users can use in their stories.
"When you donate to a nonprofit fundraiser on Live or in Stories, you can access the sticker for a select period of time. Accounts you follow who use the “I Donated” sticker or donation sticker will be added to a shared story at the front of your Stories bar for a limited time, allowing you to see how your community is helping support those affected by COVID-19."
This is one of the best options released by Instagram so far as part of its efforts to help people and businesses get through the coronavirus crisis.
Other features launched by the app include gift cards and food order tools to help SMBs during the lockdown. Insta also released many coronavirus related stickers to promote social distancing and to urge users to take other important precautions.
When it comes to Instagram Live, it has also launched it for web to accommodate more users who wish to use the option.
For now, charitable organizations might be the prime focus, but this option would also assist musicians, local businesses, artists, etc in the future as Instagram is seeking to expand it to them for donations as well.
