Alexa, buy me that pizza I saw in the commercial earlier.
Amazon plans to create a new ad format for its Alexa digital assistant that will allow customers to view an ad and make a purchase without having to take another step, such as using a QR code or smartphone, using agent AI that can determine the steps needed to solve a problem or come up with a solution. The new format allows users to order food, buy concert tickets, and more through conversations with Alexa.
The technology is called “Alexa+ Agentic Ads,” and Amazon has partnered with Papa John’s for food orders and with artists Beck, Jill Scott, and Omar Coates to help you buy tickets to upcoming shows. Amazon plans to announce new partnerships with other advertisers in the future.
Charlotte Maynes, Alexa’s vice president of content and advertising, said in a recent interview that the new technology “allows you to complete a purchase within the ad itself without leaving the conversation with Alexa, allowing you to not only buy a product but also explore an experience.”
“We’re trying to open this up to as many customers as possible,” she added. “Anyone who has the potential to appear in organic search can choose to purchase this advertising product, ensuring that they are discovered rather than desired.”
Customers who see ads through Amazon products like Echo can ask questions, explore options, and complete purchases by talking to Alexa. The technology already includes several types of ads, and Amazon sees its latest innovation as an addition to that suite of products.
