Amazon announced on November 6, 2026, that customers can now interact with Alexa for Shopping via text messages to make purchases and manage shopping tasks. This new functionality allows users to send product descriptions or photos directly to the AI assistant, which then searches Amazon's listings, suggests items, and can complete orders upon approval. The company stated that this text-based option builds upon the existing Alexa for Shopping experience, which became available in May 2026, offering a more convenient method for placing orders when using the Amazon app or website might be less practical.
The text messaging feature is initially available by invitation to a select group of U.S. customers, with a broader rollout planned for the coming weeks. Invited users will receive a text message prompting them to enable the service, after which they can link their phone number and begin texting a contact named "Alexa Shopping." Rajiv Mehta, Amazon's Vice President of Conversational Shopping, highlighted that customers often note shopping needs in various digital formats, and this new feature aims to streamline that process by making Alexa for Shopping accessible through text.
Customers can send various requests, such as needing dog food, finding a birthday gift, or replenishing household items like paper towels, and Alexa for Shopping will respond with product suggestions. The AI agent can also handle more specific tasks, including setting up weekly grocery orders, adding all ingredients from a recipe photo to a cart, or planning last-minute meal deliveries. Users can also send a photo of an item they see to find similar products on Amazon. The system allows for reordering previous purchases by text, managing shopping lists, and tracking deals by requesting alerts when specific product prices drop. Furthermore, customers can inquire about the price history of an item for up to a year.
Amazon emphasized that conversations initiated via text will seamlessly carry over to the Amazon Shopping app, the Amazon website, and Alexa-enabled devices, and vice versa. This continuity ensures that the AI assistant remembers past interactions and preferences across different platforms. The company noted that over 400 million customers have used Alexa for Shopping in the past year, with an eightfold increase in the use of its agentic features since the beginning of 2026.
While the service is currently free for advertisers, sponsored products may appear in Alexa for Shopping's text replies, according to a report by TNW. However, purchases completed automatically by the agent do not include ads. This move into text-based AI shopping agents follows Amazon's action in September 2026 to block Meta's Muse agent from its site, citing concerns over privacy and security.