Amazon is bringing its Alexa for Shopping assistant into ordinary text messages, alongside a test of sponsored product recommendations. A small invitation-only group of US customers can ask the assistant to find items, build a cart, compare options and complete purchases without first opening the Amazon app.
The company described the new channel in its November 6 announcement. The advertising test adds a second layer: Sponsored Products can appear in the assistant’s text replies while shoppers are considering options. Those placements are initially free to advertisers, and purchases the agent completes on its own will not carry ads.
The distinction matters. Shopping assistance is being extended into a personal communication channel, but the point where paid influence ends is becoming just as important as the point where a product appears.
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Text shopping reduces the number of steps between remembering a need and making a purchase….
