Amazon begins rollout of text-based shopping through Alexa
The AI agent can place orders with customer approval or buy automatically at a preset price. Its product suggestions may also include advertising.
Amazon is giving an initially limited group of invited US shoppers access to text messaging with Alexa for Shopping, the company said. The feature lets users find and compare products and order through messages, with millions more customers due to gain access in the coming weeks.
After opting in, shoppers receive an Alexa Shopping contact. Requests can include written descriptions or photographs of outfits and recipes, which the agent uses to suggest products. Customers can approve a purchase or authorize an automatic order when the price reaches their chosen target.
Amazon said the agent also supports repeat orders, package checks and tracking of price drops. Text conversations can continue on Alexa devices or through Amazon’s app and website.
Advertising can appear alongside the suggested products, Digiday reported. Advertisers are not yet paying for those placements, while orders the agent completes independently have no ads, according to Digiday.
The shopping agent debuted in May. Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy has said he expects it to become the main agent customers use when buying from the company.
