Amazon will let you text Alexa your shopping list
Also covered by 2 sources
What happened
Amazon has launched a new texting feature for Alexa for Shopping, allowing selected US customers to send product descriptions or photos via text message to receive recommendations and place orders. The feature began rolling out to an invitation-only group on November 6, 2026, with plans to expand to millions of users in the coming weeks. Customers can use the service to search for products, add items to their cart, and complete purchases, all within a text thread. The service integrates with Amazon's app, website, and Alexa-enabled devices for a continuous shopping experience.
Key details
- The texting feature is currently available only to invited US customers with a verified mobile number and RCS-enabled messaging.
- Customers can send product descriptions, photos, or multi-item requests via text to Alexa Shopping.
- The service can handle tasks like adding recipe ingredients, tracking deals, and comparing products with up to a year of price history.
- Integration allows users to start a shopping task in text and continue it in the Amazon app or website.
- Over 400 million customers used Alexa for Shopping in the year before the announcement, but the texting feature is in its initial rollout phase.
Why it matters
US Amazon customers who receive an invitation can now shop using text messages, making it possible to search, compare, and buy products without leaving their messaging app. This change offers a new way for users to interact with Amazon, potentially saving time and streamlining the shopping process. For Amazon, it extends the reach of Alexa for Shopping and may increase engagement across its platforms as the feature expands.