Taobao Launches WeChat In-App Search

Ebrun, 3/06/13

Hangzhou-based C2C & B2C e-commerce site Taobao has begun low-key open testing of an e-commerce search service through Tencent's (0700.HK) WeChat (Weixin) mobile messaging application. Upon "following" the official Taobao public account on WeChat, users can enter "Taobao Search" into the WeChat client to view a list of product categories. Products can be viewed within the WeChat client, and users can click a link to jump to Taobao or TMall (Taobao's B2C sister site) clients or WAP sites to view more information on products found via WeChat search. Taobao mobile purchases can be made through the Taobao mobile client or WAP site. WeChat in-app Taobao checkout is currently not available.

According to a knowledgeable source, Taobao's WeChat search development was led by Wen De, Taobao's head of product search. Taobao's in-app "top search" rankings vary slightly for WeChat's mobile and PC clients, tailoring "top searched" suggestions to fit PC and mobile search trends.

Keywords: m-commerce Taobao wireless B2C C2C mobile search 0700.HK TMall e-commerce search WeChat Wen De mobile IM mobile application

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