Flipkart rolls back image search and chat-based Ping in less than a year

Flipkart is replacing its social shopping feature with one that allows buyers to chat with sellers.

The decision to roll back Ping comes a year after both features were launched. The reason for the shutdown being low customer interest in both products said a spokesman for the company.

"After 25th June, 2016 users will not be able to chat with their friends or family on Ping but will be able to browse through their existing chats on the app," according to a company statement.

"Customers will continue to be able to share any messages or products through any social media platform of their choice."

Both Ping and the image search button were launched as part of a major drive towards product innovation, led by former Chief Product Officer Punit Soni.

"We will, keeping in mind the consumer preference, discontinue Image Search, but will continue to support the " Visually Similar" feature on the platform to make shopping easy and seamless," said a Flipkart spokesman.

Image credit: Indiatimes