How Users Experience Account Linking for Alexa Skills


This topic shows common account linking experiences from a user's perspective, and what happens behind the scenes. The examples use a fictional custom skill, Ride Hailer, that lets users order rides.

For an explanation of account linking concepts, see Account Linking Concepts for Alexa Skills. For the special case of app-to-app account linking, which is not covered here, see Set up App-to-App Account Linking for Your Skill.

How users know if a skill requires account linking

By default, users can enable a skill without starting the account linking flow. This configuration makes it easier for users to enable your skill and use the features that do not require authentication. For example, Ride Hailer might let users ask how long it will take to get to a particular destination even if they haven't linked their account. Alternatively, you can require users to link their account when they enable the skill.

The skill detail page in the Alexa app indicates whether account linking is required or optional, as follows:

Alexa skill account linking required or optional.

How users experience account linking

The following are three common starting points at which users enter the account linking flow in the Alexa app:

  • When enabling the skill – The user chooses the ENABLE TO USE button on the skill's detail page in the Alexa app.
  • From the skill settings – The user goes to the skill settings page in the Alexa app after enabling the skill.
  • From a skill card – The user tries to use a skill feature that requires authentication, and the skill sends a card to the Alexa app.

The following examples show the user flow for each case, and describe how the Alexa app interacts with the account linking components that you set up.

Initiating account linking when enabling the skill

In the following flow, the user initiates account linking when they enable the skill in the Alexa app.

Initiating account linking from the skill settings after enabling the skill

In the following flow, the user initiates account linking from the skill settings in the Alexa app after enabling the skill.

Initiating account linking from a skill card

In the following flow, the user initiates account linking from a card that the skill sends to the Alexa app when the user tries to use a feature that requires authentication.


Last updated: Nov 03, 2021