Amazon adds text messaging to Alexa shopping

The service builds on Alexa for Shopping, which launched in May. Customers can use it for requests such as ordering weekly groceries, getting gift ideas or finding products similar to something they photographed. The contact appears on a phone as “Amazon Alexa.”

Amazon says the assistant can remember preferences, such as a preference for vegan options, and track products and prices to alert customers when watched items go on sale. In an example provided by Amazon, Alexa sends an image of a product before asking whether the customer wants to buy it.

A small group of US customers will receive invitations to try the texting feature starting today. Amazon said it plans to expand access to “millions more customers” in the coming weeks.

“Customers often jot down what they need the moment they think of it in their notes, in their messages, in their group chats,” said Rajiv Mehta, Amazon’s vice president of Conversational Shopping. “Now with Alexa for Shopping, your personal shopping agent is just a text away. Message it what you need and Alexa goes to work on your behalf — searching, comparing, and buying so you can get on with your day.”

Other companies have also added text-based chatbot services. OpenAI launched a feature last month for exchanging text messages with its personal AI agent, Dot. DoorDash introduced a text-ordering feature in September, allowing customers to request dish recommendations and order food through its Ask DoorDash AI chatbot.