Online optical store Clearly.com.au has become the first Australian brand to utilise shoppable Augmented Reality (AR)-powered ads by Facebook with Virtual Try On (VTO) features, following the launch of its website VTO tool last year.
Working directly with Facebook on development of the technology, users who are targeted by the ad simply tap the image to launch a live AR try-on of frames, all within their Facebook feed. A Facebook user who enables their smartphone camera can click ‘Try On’ to see in real-time what a pair of glasses looks like on their face, and if the user likes the product, he or she can click through to the Clearly site to buy those frames or view more frames.
“The addition of Facebook’s new shoppable AR-powered ads with VTO features enabled on smartphones is bound to make the online shopping experience even more attractive for online shoppers,” says Clearly.com.au General Manager Duncan Brett.
“We launched the AR try-on on our site last year and already have seen it resonate with consumers. Furthermore, by removing barriers for online optical purchases and turning the AR tool into an ad, we’re now able to reach potential customers who may not have known that virtually trying on before you buy is even an option.”
While Facebook announced shoppable AR-powered ads with VTO features in 2018, Clearly.com.au is the first Australian brand to use the format.