Amazon is expanding its Alexa for Shopping AI assistant to text messages, letting customers ask it to find products, compare options, build carts and help place orders without opening the Amazon app. The text feature began rolling out by invitation to a subset of U.S. customers on November 6. Amazon says it plans to invite millions more in the coming weeks, so the feature is not yet available to every shopper.

Customers who are invited must accept the terms and link a phone number before messaging a contact listed as “Alexa Shopping.” Amazon says the assistant can respond to product requests and photos, track prices, reorder past purchases and provide delivery updates. For many requests, it returns suggestions first; Amazon and independent coverage say purchases are made with customer approval. Users can separately configure certain automated shopping actions, such as buying an item at a target price.

How does Amazon’s text-shopping assistant work?

Alexa for Shopping was already available in the Amazon Shopping app and on Amazon’s website. Texting adds another way to start a shopping task. A customer could ask for gift ideas, send a photo of an item they spotted, compare products or ask when a package is due. Amazon says the assistant searches for options and sends suggestions back in the text thread.

For a repeat purchase, a user might ask it to find a previously ordered household product. Amazon says customers can direct Alexa to add items to a cart and complete a purchase. The company also says Alexa for Shopping can remember preferences—such as dietary requirements or preferred brands—and use them in later recommendations. Amazon’s earlier overview of Alexa for Shopping says the assistant can carry shopping context across Amazon experiences.

The text assistant can also provide package updates and price-history information. Amazon says it can surface products from other online stores through its Shop Direct feature, and notify users about new releases or deals. These are features described by Amazon; availability may vary as the invitation rollout expands.

Does Alexa buy products without asking?

Amazon describes the regular text-based purchase flow as one where the assistant suggests products and the customer approves the purchase. GeekWire and CNET also report that purchases are completed with the customer’s approval. Amazon separately offers automated shopping actions, including Auto Buy at a chosen price; that requires the customer to set up the instruction rather than being the default for every product suggestion.

Because the assistant can remember shopping preferences and use order history, shoppers should review what they share and check suggested items before approving an order. CNET noted that Amazon had not immediately answered its questions about how customers would cancel or modify an order or request a refund. Check Amazon’s current order and support terms if a transaction needs to be changed.

Why Amazon is moving shopping into chat

The feature extends Amazon’s push to make Alexa for Shopping more than a question-answering tool. In its May announcement, Amazon said it had brought together Rufus’s product knowledge and Alexa+ personalization for shopping in the app and on the web. Text messaging gives customers a conversational way to continue that activity away from those surfaces.

It also places Amazon in a wider competition over AI-assisted shopping. GeekWire reports that online retailers and technology companies are competing to control the product search and purchase process as AI agents begin taking on more tasks. For shoppers, the convenience may be fewer steps between asking for a product and checking out. The trade-off is that recommendations and purchasing happen inside an assistant that draws on personal preferences and past shopping activity.

What customers should know about availability

For now, the text feature is limited to invited customers in the United States. Amazon says those customers can sign up on its text-shopping information page to hear about future invitations. Amazon has not said in its announcement that the text experience is available internationally, nor has it published a date when every U.S. customer will receive access.

Frequently asked questions

Can I text Alexa for Shopping now?

Only if you are among the U.S. customers Amazon invites initially. The company says it plans to expand invitations to millions more in the coming weeks.

What can Alexa for Shopping do by text?

Amazon says users can request product searches and comparisons, share a photo to find similar products, ask for reorders, set up price monitoring, and check delivery updates. The assistant can suggest items and help build a cart.

Will Alexa place an order without my approval?

Amazon and independent reports describe customer approval for ordinary purchases. Amazon also supports separately configured automated actions, such as Auto Buy when an item reaches a chosen price.

Does text shopping require an Echo device?

No Echo device is needed to use the text feature. Invited customers must accept Amazon’s terms and link a phone number to begin shopping by text.