Best Social Selling Platforms: Top 12 Tools for 2026

Today’s shoppers spend upward of two hours on social media daily, interacting with influencer posts, brand content, and ads. Ecommerce businesses can use features on these social selling platforms to market and sell to shoppers by meeting them where they are.

Thanks to social selling, social commerce is predicted to make up more than 7% of total retail sales this year. Data indicates that even business-to-business (B2B) decision makers use social media to help them in the buying process.

Learn more about the benefits of social selling for your business––and which social selling platforms are available on Shopify.

What is social selling?

Social selling is a sales strategy that involves engaging with potential customers through social media platforms, connecting with relevant audiences and building relationships. 

Some examples of social selling platforms include:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Social selling departs from the traditional advertising and sales process by focusing on direct interactions between businesses and customers. Social selling involves publishing posts, replying to comments, and live selling on livestreams to build trust with potential buyers.

Social selling vs. social commerce

Social selling and social commerce are closely related, but they’re not the same thing.

Social selling prioritizes connection. It focuses on building relationships, starting conversations, and earning trust on social media before a purchase happens.

The goal is staying top of mind—so customers choose you when they’re ready to buy.

Social commerce involves making the purchase itself easier. It lets customers discover, browse, and buy products directly within a social commerce platform, without leaving the app.

The emphasis is less on conversation and more on convenience.

Here’s a simple way to think about the difference:

Social selling examples

• Responding to DMs about product questions
• Hosting a livestream to demo products and reply to customer chats in real time
• Sharing behind-the-scenes content to build credibility and trust

Social commerce examples

• Instagram or Facebook Shops where users can check out in-app
• TikTok Shop product tags in videos and livestreams
• Shoppable pins on Pinterest that link directly to product pages

In practice, the strongest brands use both. Social selling builds the relationship while social commerce captures the moment of intent. Together, they turn casual scrolling into confident buying, without breaking the flow of the customer experience.

How does social selling work?

Start by setting up branded accounts on the biggest social media platforms, or consider partnering with social media influencers in your niche who already have an audience.

The key to social selling success is to create on-brand content that resonates with your target audience. The content you create should demonstrate that your business shares your customers’ perspectives and values.

Your aim should be to build an ongoing relationship with potential buyers. Social selling isn’t just about making sales; it’s also about lead generation and the wider growth of your brand.

Social selling is particularly effective for dropshipping businesses, where you can focus entirely on social media marketing and customer relationships without managing inventory. Since dropshipping allows you to test products quickly and pivot based on social media trends, you can respond rapidly to what resonates with your audience on multiple platforms.

What are the benefits of social selling?

There are three major benefits to embracing a social selling strategy:

1. Social selling opens new market opportunities

Buyers (particularly those in younger generations) who spend more time on social media are more likely to engage with content posted on platforms. Social media is now driving purchases for 80% of Gen Z and millennials. Social selling is a reliable sales funnel for brands hoping to reach these customers.

2. It teaches you about your customers

A key aspect of social selling is social listening, the process of monitoring social media to learn more about customer preferences and behaviors. By paying attention to how consumers engage with social posts and what content gains traction in comment threads, you can uncover valuable insights.

For example, sales teams can monitor public discussions about your products for opportunities to join the conversation, offer live support, and address any issues or questions.

Even if social media conversations don’t directly mention your business, active social listening provides a way to keep up with trending topics. It also gives you options for appearing in user timelines. 

💡 If you have an engaged social media following, why not ask them directly for their opinions? Most social platforms have survey tools that you can use to gauge customer interest in potential product updates or new launches. This can improve your social selling efforts.

3. Social selling builds your brand equity

Whether you’re promoting your company or your personal brand, social selling lets you play the long game and build relationships with your target audience.

Consumers are willing to spend 51% more on average with a retailer they trust. Start by posting meaningful valuable content and engaging in sincere discussions. In time, you’ll build a positive reputation among your target audience.

4. It offers access to first-party data and customer insights

Social selling gives you a direct line to first-party data—information customers choose to share through interactions on social media.

Comments, replies, polls, DMs, and livestreams all reveal what customers care about, the questions they have, and what’s influencing their buying decisions. 

Because this data comes straight from your audience, it’s more accurate and more useful than third-party insights.

Here’s how social selling helps you collect it:

• Comments and replies highlight common questions and objections
• Polls and surveys validate product ideas and demand
• DMs signal purchase intent and preferences
• Livestream engagement shows which products drive interest

Use these insights to improve product messaging, plan launches, update support content, and create more relevant marketing. Over time, social selling turns everyday engagement into a powerful feedback loop so you can make smarter decisions with less guesswork.

How to use social selling platforms effectively

Use these tips to make the most of your social selling efforts:

Identify your target audience

Before you start posting or engaging, get crystal clear on who you’re trying to reach. Ask yourself:

• Who are your ideal customers?
• What problems do they have?
• Where do they hang out online?

Social selling works best when you focus on people who need what you offer. For example, if you’re selling B2B software, LinkedIn might be your best bet. If you’re a visual brand, Instagram or Pinterest could be stronger.

Take the time to research, listen to conversations in your industry, and refine your messaging based on what resonates. The more specific you are about your audience, the easier it is to connect with them in a meaningful way.

Create engaging content

People don’t log onto social media to be sold to. They log on to learn, be entertained, and connect. Your content should fit into that flow while subtly positioning you as the go-to expert in your space.

To improve your odds of triggering engagement, try these formats:

• Industry trends. Break down insights and news in terms your audience can understand and apply.
• Personal stories. Share your own challenges and learning moments.
• Behind-the-scenes. Show your process, introduce team members, or reveal how products are made.
• Customer success stories. Real results speak louder than promises (with permission, of course).

While you’re experimenting with creating new content, remember the importance of being authentic. As Sonja Detrinidad, founder of Partly Sunny Projects, puts it, “Being relatable isn’t hard if you just be yourself. Just go and do your thing, whatever your thing is. Your people are out there and they’re waiting for you to show up.”

Different platforms also favor different formats, and your audience consumes content in various ways. 

Experiment with different content types to see what resonates best with your audience, including:

• Short, pointed text posts for quick tips and questions
• Video content for demonstrations or personal messages
• Image carousels for step-by-step guides or multiple points
• Polls and questions to gather direct feedback and boost engagement
• Live sessions to answer questions and showcase expertise in real time

Leverage user-generated content (UGC)

User-generated content (UGC) turns your customers into your most credible marketers.

When people share photos, videos, reviews, or testimonials featuring your products, it builds trust in a way that brand-created content can’t. It shows real people using your product in real life—and that social proof goes a long way.

To start leveraging UGC:

• Invite customers to share by asking questions or creating branded hashtags
• Reshare tagged posts and reviews (with permission) on your social channels
• Highlight UGC in stories, carousels, or product posts to show products in action
• Engage with creators by commenting and thanking them to strengthen relationships

You can also repurpose other user generated content, like Google Reviews, unboxing videos, or creator shout-outs, across multiple channels to keep your messaging consistent.

UGC works especially well for social selling because it feels authentic, not promotional. By consistently showcasing your customers, you build trust and give potential buyers the confidence to take the next step.

Build relationships

Social selling is a game of give and take. You don’t want to bombard your audience with sales messages. Instead, work on building relationships so customers keep coming back.

The easiest way to do this is to invite conversations and engage in them earnestly.

Here are some ideas to try:

• Post thought-provoking questions related to your industry.
• Share controversial (but professional) opinions and ask for feedback.
• Create polls about common challenges your audience faces.
• Tag relevant connections when sharing insights they might find valuable, but do this sparingly and authentically.
• Re-share pictures and videos that your audience shares (with permission).

Leverage analytics and insights

Most social platforms offer built-in analytics, showing you which posts get the most engagement, which messages lead to conversions, and where your audience is most active.

Use this valuable data to fine-tune your approach. Are people engaging more with your video content? Post more of that. Are your DMs leading to sales? Double down on outreach. Track trends, test different content styles, and adjust based on what moves the needle.

12 best social selling platforms and tools for 2026

Here are 12 popular social selling tools on the Shopify App Store that integrate with your ecommerce platform:

1. TikTok
2. Facebook & Instagram
3. CED
4. MetaShop
5. Pinterest
6. Google & YouTube
7. Instafeed
8. Sales Navigator
9. Channelize live shopping and UGC
10. Google Reviews & Social Proof
11. WhatsApp Business
12. Snapchat Ads

1. TikTok

TikTok blends discovery, entertainment, and shopping into a single scroll. For Gen Z, TikTok is the top channel for product discovery. Plus, TikTok now makes up nearly 20% of social commerce in the US. 

With the TikTok app for Shopify, you can connect your store directly to TikTok and turn high-performing content into shoppable experiences. Merchants can also tap into trends like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, where product discovery often leads to impulse purchases.

Key features of TikTok social selling include:

• TikTok Shop integration to sync products, inventory, and orders directly from Shopify
• Shoppable videos and livestreams that let customers buy without leaving the app
• Creator and affiliate tools to partner with influencers who can sell on your behalf
• Ad campaign management for boosting organic posts or launching paid promotions
• Real-time performance insights to track views, clicks, and conversions

Best for: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, visually driven products, and merchants targeting Gen Z and millennial shoppers—especially those selling trend-led, impulse-friendly products.

Pricing: Free to install. Pay only for the targeted ads you place.

2. Facebook & Instagram

Facebook and Instagram remain core social selling channels for merchants looking to reach customers across discovery, engagement, and checkout. Sixty-one percent of Instagram users turn to the platform to find their next purchase.

With the Facebook & Instagram app for Shopify, you can connect your store to both platforms and manage products, orders, and performance directly from your Shopify admin. 

In-app shopping tools make it easy for customers to browse and buy without leaving the app, while ad tools help you reach new and returning audiences at scale.

Key Facebook and Instagram social selling features include:

• Shops and in-app checkout for seamless product discovery and purchasing
• Product tagging in posts, Stories, Reels, and ads
• Meta Pixel and Conversions API for tracking customer behavior and performance
• Ad creation and management across Facebook and Instagram from one place
• Performance insights to identify top-selling products and high-engagement content

Best for: Merchants with established products, visually strong brands, and businesses looking to combine organic content with paid social, especially for B2C and DTC selling.

Pricing: Free to install. Pay only for the ads you run.

3. CED

CED Facebook Feed Sync & Pixel by CedCommerce is a third-party Shopify social selling app that helps you manage social selling across Meta’s ecosystem from a single dashboard. 

It’s designed for sellers who want more control and flexibility than Meta’s native tools offer, especially when managing large catalogs or multiple campaigns.

The app syncs your Shopify store with Facebook and Instagram, keeping product data, inventory, and pricing aligned across platforms.

Key CED social selling features include:

• Automated product feed syncing for Facebook and Instagram catalogs
• Central campaign planning and ad management
• Inventory and price syncing to reduce overselling and manual updates
• Data and performance tracking across connected social channels
• Multiaccount support for merchants running several stores or catalogs

Best for: Merchants with larger product catalogs, multistore setups, or teams that want more advanced control over Meta-based social selling without relying solely on native apps.

Pricing: Upload up to 100 products to Facebook Catalog for free. Paid plans with higher listing limits start at $13 per month.

4. MetaShop

MetaShop Instagram & Facebook by DolphinSuite is a third-party tool that helps merchants turn organic social posts into direct shopping opportunities on Instagram and Facebook.

The app focuses on simplifying in-app purchasing and automating engagement, making it easier to capture demand as customers discover products in their feeds.

Key MetaShop social selling features include:

• Shoppable posts and Stories with built-in calls to action
• In-app checkout so customers can shop without leaving Instagram or Facebook
• Social media management tools to plan and schedule posts in advance
• Automated replies to respond to common questions and DMs at scale
• Product linking to connect posts directly to your Shopify catalog

Best for: Visual brands, smaller merchants, and teams focused on organic social selling who want to turn everyday Instagram and Facebook content into shoppable experiences without heavy ad spend.

Pricing: Free to install the Shoppable Post Scheduler. Paid plans for shoppable posts and Stories start at $9.99 per month.

5. Pinterest

Pinterest is built for discovery, so it’s a strong platform for selling products customers find through inspiration, planning, and visual search. It’s also the second-most-visited social media website in the US, with around 80% of users saying they feel inspired by the shopping experience. 

With Pinterest’s Shopify app, you can connect your store, sync your full product catalog, and turn products into shoppable Pins. Because users often come to Pinterest with intent, product discovery can happen weeks or even months before purchase.

Key Pinterest social selling features include:

• Product Pins that show real-time pricing and availability
• Catalog syncing to make every Shopify product pinnable
• Promoted pins to extend reach through paid ads
• Visual search and recommendations to surface products based on user interests
• Performance analytics to track impressions, clicks, and conversions

Best for: Merchants with visually driven products—such as home, fashion, beauty, food, and lifestyle brands, especially those targeting planners and high-intent shoppers.

Pricing: Free to install. Pay only for the ads you run.

6. Google & YouTube

With the Google & YouTube by Google app, you can sync your product catalog to Google Merchant Center and make products discoverable across Google Search, Shopping, and YouTube. 

This lets shoppers find, explore, and buy products while they’re actively researching or watching related content.

Key Google & YouTube social selling features include:

• Product sync to Google Merchant Center for Search and Shopping visibility
• Shoppable YouTube videos and product shelves under relevant content
• Free product listings alongside paid Shopping ads
• Smart campaign and ad tools to promote products at scale
• Performance tracking across clicks, views, and conversions

Best for: Merchants selling products with strong search demand or educational value, especially brands that benefit from product comparisons, demos, and how-to content.

Pricing: Free to install. Pay only for the ads you run.

7. Instafeed

Instafeed by Mintt Studio helps merchants turn Instagram content into shoppable experiences, directly on their Shopify storefront.

Instead of selling inside Instagram, Instafeed focuses on bringing social proof to your store. You can display Instagram Reels, videos, and photos as interactive, shoppable feeds that showcase products in real-world use.

Key Instafeed social selling features include:

• Shoppable Instagram feeds embedded on your Shopify site
• Support for Reels, videos, and image posts
• Product and collection tagging for easy discovery
• Customizable layouts and styling to match your brand
• Auto-syncing content from your Instagram account

Best for: Merchants who want to use Instagram content as social proof on their storefront, especially lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and visually led brands.

Pricing: Free to install. Paid plans start at $8 per month and unlock product and collection tagging and advanced features.

8. Sales Navigator

Sales Navigator is LinkedIn’s premium social selling tool, built to help you find, understand, and engage the right people at the right time—especially in B2B contexts.

At the core of Linkedin Sales Navigator is the social selling index (SSI), a proprietary score that measures how effectively you’re using LinkedIn to build relationships and drive sales. 

Your SSI is based on four pillars:

• Establishing your professional brand by sharing relevant content and maintaining a strong profile
• Finding the right people using advanced search filters and lead recommendations
• Engaging with insights by interacting with prospects through comments, messages, and shared interests
• Building relationships by nurturing connections over time

Sales Navigator gives you tools to actively improve your SSI and your results, including:

• Advanced lead and company search with filters for role, industry, company size, and growth
• Lead and account tracking to monitor activity and social engagement signals
• InMail messaging to reach prospects outside your network
• CRM integrations to keep sales activity organized
• Real-time insights and alerts about job changes, company updates, and shared connections

Best for: B2B merchants, service-based businesses, and founders selling high-consideration products or services where trust and relationship-building matter more than impulse buys.

Pricing: After a free trial, plans start at $99 per month.

9. Channelize Live Shopping & UGC

Channelize Live Shopping & UGC app by Channelize.io brings interactive shopping directly to your Shopify store by combining live selling with on-demand shoppable video content.

The app lets you turn real-time viewer engagement into instant purchases. You can also simulcast live streams to social media to reach customers wherever they’re already scrolling.

Key Channelize Live Shopping features include:

• Live shopping events with chat and product pinning
• Shoppable video content that customers can click and buy from on demand
• Simulcasting to social platforms to expand reach beyond your store
• Customizable video layouts to match your brand experience
• Analytics and engagement insights to track viewer behavior and conversions

Best for: Merchants selling higher-consideration products or brands that benefit from demonstrations, education, and trust-building—such as beauty, fashion, fitness, and electronics.

Pricing: Plans start at $97 per month after a 14-day free trial.

10. Google Reviews & Social Proof

Google Reviews & Social Proof by TagEmbed helps you bring social selling elements directly onto your Shopify storefront for customers to easily see.

Instead of pushing customers out to social platforms, TagEmbed showcases user-generated content and Google Reviews on your site, helping shoppers build confidence at the point of purchase.

Key Google Reviews & Social Proof social selling features include:

• Embedded social media feeds from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X
• Google Reviews integration to highlight customer feedback
• Moderation and filtering tools to control what content appears
• Customizable display layouts to match your storefront design
• Real-time content syncing to keep feeds and reviews up to date

Best for: Merchants focused on building trust and conversion on their own storefront, especially brands that rely on reviews, testimonials, and UGC to reduce buyer hesitation.

Pricing: The free plan includes one feed and five sources. Paid plans start at $11 per month with expanded features.

11. WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business lets you integrate one of the world’s most popular messaging apps with your Shopify store to communicate with customers faster and with more personalization. 

Rather than waiting for emails or support tickets, WhatsApp lets you meet customers where they are.

Key WhatsApp Business social selling features include:

• Real-time messaging so customers can ask questions and get answers instantly
• Automated order updates (confirmations, shipping, delivery) to keep buyers informed
• Abandoned cart reminders via WhatsApp messages to recover lost sales
• Personalized promotions and follow-ups to boost repeat purchases
• WhatsApp chat widgets on your store so visitors can start conversations immediately

Best for: Merchants who want to deepen customer relationships, boost conversions with personalized chat and reminders, and combine support and sales in one direct channel—especially for markets where WhatsApp is a primary communication tool.

Pricing: Free to install from the Shopify App Store. You’ll need a WhatsApp Business account to connect and may incur messaging costs depending on your provider and message volume.

12. Snapchat Ads

Snapchat Ads helps merchants reach younger audiences and drive sales through Snapchat’s highly engaged user base. 

With this app, you can connect your Shopify store to Snapchat’s advertising ecosystem to promote products, track performance, and drive traffic to your shop.

Key Snapchat social selling features include:

• Product catalog sync to easily create dynamic ads that showcase your inventory
• Snap Pixel setup for tracking conversions and optimizing campaigns
• Advanced audience targeting to reach Gen Z and millennial shoppers with precision
• Vertical video and interactive ad formats built for mobile engagement
• Performance reporting to measure ad clicks, views, and sales

Best for: Brands targeting Gen Z and millennial audiences, especially those with visually compelling products who want to drive awareness and traffic through short-form, immersive content.

Pricing: Free to install. You only pay for the Snapchat ads you run.

How to choose the best social selling platforms for your business

It’s tempting to choose the most popular social selling platform, but that’s not always the best fit for your audience, business, or the way you sell. 

Here’s how to make the best choice for your business:

Assess your target market

Before you even look at platform features, start by asking where your customers are spending their time. 

The best social selling platform is where your audience is already active and engaged. Consider the following:

B2B vs. B2C

If you sell to other businesses, LinkedIn might be your best bet. If you’re reaching everyday consumers, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok could be stronger choices.

Demographics

Different platforms attract different age groups and audiences. If your target market skews younger, TikTok and Instagram might be better than Facebook. If you sell to professionals, LinkedIn is a great choice.

Buying behavior

Do your customers prefer researching purchases extensively before making a decision? They might engage more with long-form content on LinkedIn or YouTube. Are they impulse buyers? Instagram and TikTok can drive quick sales.

The easiest way to choose the right platforms is to ask where your customers naturally hang out online, check your existing social media analytics, and look at where your competitors are getting engagement.

Consider your brand’s goals

Are you looking to get more visibility? More sales? Stronger customer relationships? Understanding your long- and short-term goals will influence which platform makes the most sense.

If you want to grow brand awareness, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts can help you get in front of new audiences quickly. If you want more direct sales, Instagram Shopping, Facebook Marketplace, and TikTok Shop let you sell straight from your content. 

If you want to nurture leads, LinkedIn, Facebook Groups, and Instagram DMs let you build connections and warm up potential customers.

Evaluate platform features

Once you know where your audience is, you can look at what each platform offers. Not all social selling platforms include the same feature set, so you need to find one that supports your specific needs:

• Shoppable posts and direct sales. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok all have built-in shopping features. If you want customers to buy directly from your posts, these are worth considering.
• Messaging and relationship-building. LinkedIn and Facebook are great for direct outreach and networking, while Instagram DMs and WhatsApp integrations can help build customer relationships.
• Advertising and targeting. Some platforms offer better ad targeting than others. Facebook and Instagram have powerful ad tools, while LinkedIn is strong for B2B lead generation. TikTok ads can be great for brand awareness but might not drive direct sales as easily.
• Content formats. If your focus is on long-form thought leadership, LinkedIn or YouTube will work better than TikTok. For bite-size video content, TikTok and Instagram Reels are a better fit.

Analyze competitor strategies

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Take a look at what’s already working in your industry:

• Where are your competitors active? If every major competitor is active on Instagram but ignoring LinkedIn, that tells you something.
• What type of content gets engagement? Are competitor posts getting comments and shares, or are they mostly ignored? High engagement means that the platform is working for them.
• Are they using paid ads? If your competitors are running a lot of ads on a specific platform, they’ve likely tested and found it profitable.
• What gaps can you fill? Maybe everyone in your space is focused on Instagram, but LinkedIn has less competition. That could be an opportunity.

Studying what’s working (or not working) for others can help you make smarter, more informed decisions.

Platform pricing and ROI considerations

Cost alone shouldn’t determine which social selling platform you choose—but you do need a clear path to return.

Start by looking beyond the monthly app fee or ad spend and ask what you’re actually paying for. Some platforms charge for listings, others for ads, messaging volume, or advanced features. Make sure those costs align with your needs.

Then, define what success looks like for your business.

Depending on your goals, that might be:

• Revenue metrics like conversion rate, average order value, and cost per acquisition
• Engagement metrics such as comments, DMs, or livestream viewers
• Pipeline metrics like leads generated or conversations started

If you’re running ads, compare spend to outcomes. If you’re selling organically, track the time and effort required to maintain momentum. A platform that looks inexpensive upfront can become costly if it demands constant content or manual follow-ups.

The smartest approach is to start small. Test one or two platforms, set clear benchmarks, and review performance after a few weeks. If the return is there, scale up. If not, adjust or move on. Social selling works best when every dollar—and every hour—has a job to do.