Here are the details of the changes from Facebook:
Phasing out of onboarding new shops without Checkout with Facebook or Instagram:
Meta will gradually stop accepting new shop onboarding that doesn't have Checkout with Facebook or Instagram enabled.
Effective from June 5, 2023:
Onboarding of new shops through Commerce Manager and Shopify will only be possible if Checkout with Facebook or Instagram is enabled.
Effective by August 10, 2023:
Onboarding of new shops via other eligible partners will only be possible with Checkout with Facebook or Instagram enabled.
Effective from April 24, 2024:
Shops that don't have Checkout with Facebook or Instagram enabled will no longer be accessible.
This includes shops that direct customers to an external e-commerce site to complete purchases instead of allowing direct purchases through Facebook or Instagram.
Additionally, shops using Checkout with messaging will also be affected.
Businesses without checkout-enabled shops will lose access to certain Shop features, including:
Organic product tagging in posts
Creating new custom/lookalike audiences based on shop visitor data
Exceptions will be made for omnichannel and subscription businesses.
Important note:
The location of a shop will be determined based on the location of the associated commerce account.
The location of the commerce account depends on the location of the user who created it (for accounts created after April 1, 2023) or the location of assets like an Instagram profile or Facebook Page associated with the commerce account (for accounts created before April 1, 2023).
However, regardless of the commerce account's location, any business with a checkout-enabled Facebook or Instagram shop in the US will still have access to their shop.
Businesses wishing to enable Checkout in the US can do so in Commerce Manager, provided they meet the requirements.
What this means for you:
To continue operating your shop on Facebook and Instagram, you must enable Checkout with Facebook or Instagram before April 24, 2024.
If Checkout is not enabled by the deadline, your shop will become inactive, and product tagging will no longer be available until you enable Checkout.
Any new shops created after June 5, 2023, will require Checkout with Facebook or Instagram to be enabled.
Separately, on June 5, 2023, if your Facebook Page has not been updated to the new Pages experience, it will be automatically updated.
The update will provide businesses with an improved Page layout and new tools.
However, certain old features like managing and posting a catalog or product details page from a Facebook Page will no longer be supported.
Nonetheless, businesses can still post links to their website.
Once you have successfully enabled Checkout for your shop, Meta encourages you to continue using a combination of free and paid tools to find customers and drive sales. Some recommended tools include:
Personalized ads:
Connect with customers based on their interests and optimize your marketing spend.
Advantage+ shopping campaigns are now globally available, helping you make smarter decisions about ad campaigns to maximize ROI.
Reels:
Create short-form video content to reach potential customers who aren't following your brand.
Reels are the fastest-growing format on Meta apps, and they can be used alongside Feed, Stories, and messaging to share your brand story, build connections, and grow your business.
Messaging:
Utilize messaging features across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram to directly connect with shoppers.
Run click-to-message ads to sell, support, and market your products without leaving the chat thread.
To learn more about these tools and their functionalities, you can explore the following resources:
About ads with a website and shop destination: This resource provides information on how to optimize ads that direct customers to your website or shop.
About Checkout on Facebook and Instagram: Here, you can find detailed information about the checkout feature on Facebook and Instagram and how to set it up for your shop.
How to set up a new shop in Commerce Manager: This guide will walk you through the process of setting up a new shop using Commerce Manager.
About fees for sales: This resource explains the fees associated with sales made through your shop on Facebook and Instagram.
By leveraging these tools and functionalities, Meta aims to help you reach a wider audience, enhance your brand's visibility, and drive sales.
