Amazon is testing text access to Alexa for Shopping with invited U.S. customers, extending the assistant to messaging while linking the option to its wider retail services.
Invited users can start after accepting Amazon’s terms and linking a phone number. The contact is labeled “Alexa Shopping.”
Customers can use written product requests to build a cart, while photos can help the assistant find similar items. The service can track price drops and show up to a year of price history, while also supporting shopping lists and package updates.
The text feature connects with the Amazon Shopping app, Amazon.com and Alexa-enabled devices. Amazon says saved preferences and conversation context remain available as customers switch between those channels.
Amazon’s third-quarter earnings release reported 570% year-over-year growth in Alexa for Shopping interactions; the assistant had more than 400 million customers during the 12 months ending Sept. 30. The release did not give a separate usage figure for the text option.
Amazon plans to expand invitations to millions more customers over the coming weeks.
