Design the Product Recommendation


Now that you understand the shopping flow and have fulfilled the prerequisites, you're ready to design the product recommendation. Choose products that add value to the customer and are relevant to your skill. You can recommend physical products to a customer to purchase or add to their Amazon Shopping Cart or Wish List.

Follow these guidelines to design the product recommendation and handoff to Alexa.

For best practices to follow when you design voice-first interactions, see the Alexa Design Guide.

Product recommendation guidelines

When you recommend products, you must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Choose products that are available on the Amazon retail website.
  • Choose products that are relevant to the skill and keep customers engaged.
  • Offer products that are specific to your area of expertise.
  • Offer products that you love or that you've researched thoroughly.
  • Place the recommendations in a place that doesn't add friction to the skill experience.
  • Complete the customer request before you make a product recommendation. For example, in a yoga skill, complete the requested yoga session before you suggest a yoga mat.
  • Use a soft sell approach, such as "By the way, we offer product recommendations if you're interested?"
  • If you offer multiple product recommendations, match the customers to the right products. For example, in a make-up skill, you might say, "Answer these three questions to help me find the products that are just right for you."
  • If a customer says, "No" to a product recommendation, use a strategy to wait before you recommend a different product. For example, after the customer says, "No" the first time, wait one day before the next recommendation. If the customer says, "No" again, wait longer than one day before you make the next recommendation.
  • If your skill is registered with the Amazon Associates on Alexa program, you must disclose that your skill earns commission from product recommendations. Clearly and prominently state the following or a substantially similar statement in your Alexa skill: "[Name of Alexa skill] earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill."

    The disclosure must be made in the medium in which the recommendation was provided. If you recommend a product in an Alexa skill with voice, then the disclosure must be in voice. If the recommendation is in text, then the disclosure must be in text. And, if you recommend the product with both voice and text, then the disclosure must be in both mediums. In addition, for Alexa skills, this disclosure must be made each time a customer re-engages with your Alexa skill that contains an Alexa Shopping Action that has been tagged with your Associate ID. And, the disclosure, should be made as close as possible in time to when your Alexa skill prompts customers to engage with an Alexa Shopping Action that has been tagged with your Associate ID. It is not sufficient to merely add this disclosure to the details page of your Alexa skill.

Design the product suggestion

Include the following items in your product suggestion:

  1. A brief description of the product and its availability to customers.
  2. If your skill is part of the Amazon Associates on Alexa program, a disclaimer stating that you earn a commission by recommending products.
  3. An explicit prompt for customer confirmation ("Yes" or "No") to confirm interest in the product, such as, "Want to learn more?" or "Would you like to learn how to add the {product} to your Cart on Amazon?"

The following example shows the product recommendation for a board game.

User: Alexa, open Quick Trivia.

Quick Trivia: Thank you for continuing to play Quick Trivia. You're one level away from completing the game.
You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Would you like to learn how to buy the game on Amazon?

User: Yes

The skill passes control to Alexa to complete the transaction.

The example fits the product recommendation definition as follows:

  1. Product recommendation: "You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game."
  2. Amazon Associates disclaimer: "Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill."
  3. Explicit confirmation: "Would you like to learn how to buy the game on Amazon?"

Design the post-shopping flow

When your customer buys the product or adds it to their Cart or Wish List, you create a graceful handoff from the Amazon shopping flow back to your skill. Design a follow-up action for a successful action and design a flow to handle customer errors.

The following example shows a successful handoff back to the skill.

Alexa completes the transaction and hands control back to the skill.
Quick Trivia: While you wait for the board game, would you like to continue playing?

Design the refund flow

Customers can ask Alexa to cancel an order during a skill session. Remind the customer to visit their Amazon account on the Amazon retail page to alter the order, and then continue with the skill. For an example voice response, see the Refund the product purchase example.

Alexa shopping examples

Review the following voice shopping flow examples of product recommendations, handover to Alexa, and follow-up after a successful action.

Buy recommended product

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where the customer agrees to buy the recommended product on Amazon.

Step State Actor Speaker BuyShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation, disclaimer, and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Want to learn how to buy the game on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Your purchase includes a Quick Trivia, The Board Game for four to six players. The total, including VAT, is twenty one pounds."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to buy it?"

6

Customer response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Order placed."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"Now that you placed your order, would you like to continue playing?"

Step State Actor Speaker BuyShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation, disclaimer, and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Want to learn how to buy the game on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Your purchase includes a Quick Trivia, The Board Game for four to six players. The total, including tax and shipping, is twenty dollars and ninety cents."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to buy it?"

6

Customer response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Order placed."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"Now that you placed your order, would you like to continue playing?"

Step State Actor Speaker BuyShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Want to learn how to buy the game on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Your purchase includes a Quick Trivia, The Board Game for four to six players. The total, including tax and shipping, is twenty dollars and ninety cents."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to buy it?"

6

Customer response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Order placed."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"Now that you placed your order, would you like to continue playing?"

Decline the purchase suggestion

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where the customer first accepts the purchase suggestion, then declines the purchase action.

Step State Actor Speaker BuyShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You've strayed far from your bonfire. You can unlock more of the story with the companion comic. Want to learn how to buy the book on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Your purchase includes an interactive narrative comic, the print version. The total, including tax and shipping, is twelve dollars and four cents."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to buy it?"

6

Customer response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"No"

7

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

8

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Would you like to play again?"

Decline to learn more

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where the customer declines to learn more about a recommended product.

Step State Actor Speaker BuyShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You've strayed far from your bonfire. You can unlock more of the story with the companion comic. Want to learn how to buy the book on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"No"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Would you like to play again?"

Add to shopping cart

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where the customer adds a physical product to their Cart. The experience is consistent with the experience of a customer who tries to purchase something with Alexa Shopping by using a search term.

Step State Actor Speaker AddToShoppingCart shopping action

1

Product recommendation, disclaimer, and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Would you like to learn how to add the game to your Basket on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Quick Trivia, The Board Game. It's thirty-five pounds, including VAT, with delivery by April fourth."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to add it to your Basket?"

6

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgement

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"I added it to your Amazon Shopping Basket where you can review the product and seller details before checkout."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Step State Actor Speaker AddToShoppingCart shopping action

1

Product recommendation, disclaimer, and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Would you like to learn how to add the game to your Cart on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Quick Trivia, The Board Game. It's thirty-five dollars and ninety-nine cents, including tax, with delivery by April fourth."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to add it to your Cart?"

6

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"I added it to your Amazon Shopping Cart for review."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Step State Actor Speaker AddToShoppingCart shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

エスケープ・ルームを遊んでくれてありがとうございます。次が最後のレベルになります。更にエスケープルーム ザ・ゲーム 拡張シナリオ版も販売中です。こちらの商品に興味ありますか?

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

はい

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

はい、最初に見つかったのは「エスケープルームザ・ゲーム拡張シナリオ名探偵」です。1,267円です。7月6日までにお届け可能です。

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

アマゾンのカートに入れますか?

6

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

はい

7

Acknowledgement

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

アマゾンのカートに入れました。レジに進む前にカートを開いて、詳細を利用規約を確認してください。

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

では、最後のレベルに挑戦しましょう。

Add to list

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where the customer adds a physical product to their Amazon Wish List.

Step State Actor Speaker AddToList shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Would you like to learn how to add the game to your Wish List on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Quick Trivia, The Board Game. According to an Amazon customer, it's fun and easy to play."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to add it to your Wish List?"

6

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Sure, I added it to your Wish List."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Step State Actor Speaker AddToList shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Would you like to learn how to add the game to your Wish List on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Quick Trivia, The Board Game. According to an Amazon customer, it's fun and easy to play."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to add it to your Wish List?"

6

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Sure, I added it to your Wish List."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Step State Actor Speaker AddToList shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game. Would you like to learn how to add the game to your Basket on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. Quick Trivia, The Board Game. According to an Amazon customer, it's fun and easy to play."

5

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Would you like to add it to your Wish List?"

6

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Yes"

7

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Sure, I added it to your Wish List."

8

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

9

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Recommend products

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where the skill recommends two Quick Trivia products and the customer buys one of them. On an Alexa-enabled device with a screen, Alexa displays the product details and buttons that call the customer to action, such as BUY THIS, ADD TO CART, or MORE DETAILS. The customer can tap the button or ask Alexa with voice.

Step State Actor Speaker RecommendShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendations, disclaimer, and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"GB: You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board games, Quick Trivia, The Board Game and Quick Trivia expansion pack. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Would you like to hear more?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. The first one is Quick Trivia, The Board Game. According to an Amazon customer, it's fun and easy to play. The total, including VAT, is twelve pounds with delivery by April fourth."

Alexa offers details about each item.

5

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, add the expansion pack to my basket"

6

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Sure. Added to your basket. If you would like to buy the items in your basket you can say, buy it now"

7

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, buy it now"

8

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Order placed. Your total, including VAT, is twelve pounds and will be delivered by April fourth."

9

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, go back"

10

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

11

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Step State Actor Speaker RecommendShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendations, disclaimer, and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board games, Quick Trivia, The Board Game and Quick Trivia expansion pack. Quick Trivia earns from qualifying purchases that you make while using this skill. Would you like to hear more?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. The first one is Quick Trivia, The Board Game. According to an Amazon customer, it's fun and easy to play. The total is thirteen dollars and thirty-six cents with delivery by April fourth."

Alexa offers details about each item.

5

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, add the expansion pack to my cart"

6

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Sure. Added to your cart. If you would like to buy the items in your cart you can say, buy it now"

7

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, buy it now"

8

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Order placed. Your total is thirteen dollars and thirty-six cents and will be delivered by April fourth."

9

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, go back"

10

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

11

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Step State Actor Speaker RecommendShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. You might like our new board games, Quick Trivia, The Board Game and Quick Trivia expansion pack. Would you like to hear more?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Yes"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

N/A

<Passes control to Alexa Shopping>

4

Offer presentation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Here are the product details from Amazon. The first one is Quick Trivia, The Board Game. According to an Amazon customer, it's fun and easy to play. The total is thirteen dollars and thirty-six cents with delivery by April fourth."

Alexa offers details about each item.

5

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, add the expansion pack to my cart"

6

Confirmation

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Sure. Added to your cart. If you would like to buy the items in your cart you can say, buy it now"

7

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, buy it now"

8

Acknowledgment

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

"Order placed. Your total is thirteen dollars and thirty-six cents and will be delivered by April fourth."

9

Customer Response

Alexa Shopping

Customer

"Alexa, go back"

10

Relay control

Alexa Shopping

Alexa

<Passes control to the skill with the action status>

11

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Decline the product recommendation

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where, the customer declines the offer to add the board game to their Wish List.

Step State Actor Speaker AddToList shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"You're one level away from completing the game. Would you like to try the new board game, Quick Trivia, The Board Game? Do you want to learn how you can add the board game to your Wish List on Amazon?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"No"

3

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"OK. Let's start the final level of the game."

Refund the product purchase

The following table shows the steps in an example voice shopping flow, where, during a skill session the customer asks for a refund for the purchased product.

Step State Actor Speaker RecommendShoppingProducts shopping action

1

Product recommendation and confirmation

Skill

Alexa

"By the way, we offer product recommendations if you're interested?"

2

Customer response

Skill

Customer

"Refund my previous order."

3

Acknowledgment

Skill

Alexa

"To review or cancel your order, please go to orders section on the Amazon retail site."

4

Follow-up action

Skill

Alexa

"Would you like to continue the game?"


Was this page helpful?

Last updated: Nov 23, 2023