Amazon Price History and Price Alerts: How to Use Alexa Before Black Friday (Even by Text)
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Is that Black Friday “deal” really a deal? The easiest way to find out is to look at the product’s price history. Until recently that meant installing a third-party price tracker. Now Amazon’s own AI assistant, Alexa, can show you up to a year of prices, alert you when a price drops and even buy automatically at your target price. And since November 6, 2026, some US shoppers can do it all by text message.
The short answer: in the Amazon Shopping app (or on Amazon’s website), tap the Alexa icon and ask for the price history of a product: you’ll see 30, 90 and 365 days. From there you can set a price alert or an auto-buy rule (“buy it when it’s 30% off”). Amazon is also inviting US customers to do the same by texting a contact called “Alexa Shopping.” Start now, so you know the real prices before Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30).
How to see Amazon price history with Alexa
The Alexa shopping assistant is available to US customers in the Amazon Shopping app (tap the Alexa icon in the bottom bar) and at the top of the Amazon website on a computer. There you can:
- See 30-, 90- and 365-day price history for a product.
- Set a price alert, for example “Set a price alert for when this face cream is $75.”
- Set an auto-buy condition, for example “Buy these headphones when they’re 30% off.” When the price is met, Amazon completes the order with your default payment method.
- Compare several products side by side.
Tip: ask for the 365-day history, not just 30 days. Many “deals” look good only compared with the last few weeks.
Amazon’s text announcement describes price alerts but doesn’t say whether auto-buy also works by text.
Amazon’s chart is the most convenient option because it’s built in. If you want a second opinion, independent price trackers such as camelcamelcamel and Keepa also keep Amazon price history charts and send price-drop alerts. Checking two sources before a big purchase takes a minute and can save you from a fake deal.
New: shop and track prices by text message
According to Amazon’s announcement, you can text Alexa Shopping to:
| Ask for | Example message |
|---|---|
| Product suggestions and comparisons | “Compare robot vacuums under $300 for a home with pets” |
| Price history (up to one year) | “What’s the price history for these headphones?” |
| A price-drop alert | “Tell me when this coffee maker drops below $80” |
| A purchase | Alexa can add items to your cart and complete the order |
| Reorders and grocery runs | Recurring orders, such as a weekly grocery list, with your approval |
| Package updates | “Where’s my order?” Delivery notifications will also arrive in the same thread |
| Similar products from a photo | Send a photo of something you like |
| New releases | “Tell me when this brand releases something new” |
Alexa can also show products from other online stores through Amazon’s Shop Direct feature, not only items sold on Amazon.
Who can use it, and how to get access
- US only, invitation only. Amazon started with a small group of invited customers on November 6, 2026, and says it will expand in the coming weeks.
- Sign up to be notified. If you haven’t received an invitation, you can sign up on Amazon’s “Shop by text with Alexa Shopping” page to get notified when more invitations go out.
- To start: save the contact as “Alexa Shopping,” accept the terms, link your phone number, and send your first message.
Amazon’s announcement doesn’t say whether the service needs Prime or whether your phone carrier’s messaging rates apply, so check the terms when you accept the invitation.
How to use it before Black Friday
- Start now with a short list. Pick the 3 to 5 things you actually plan to buy.
- Check the price history first. Ask for the 90-day or 365-day history. If the “deal” price was the normal price in September, it isn’t a deal.
- Set an alert at a realistic price. Use the lowest price in the history as your target, not a random discount.
- Be careful with auto-buy. It uses your default card automatically. Set it only for items you’re sure about, and double-check the seller and delivery date.
- Compare outside Amazon too. Our guide to using AI to find real Black Friday deals shows how ChatGPT, Google and Copilot can help.
Safety tips
- Make sure the message really comes from Amazon. Scammers love fake “Amazon” texts during the holidays. Only start the conversation from Amazon’s official sign-up page or invitation, and never click links in unexpected texts claiming to be Amazon.
- Remember that some suggestions are ads. Amazon says advertisers can show Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands in Alexa for Shopping. A product suggested by Alexa isn’t automatically the best or cheapest one, so compare before you buy.
- Review every order. Check the item, quantity and price before you confirm a purchase.
- Watch for unwanted recurring orders. If you set a weekly grocery order, remember to stop it when you no longer need it.
Is it worth trying?
It’s handy if you already shop on Amazon a lot and prefer texting to opening apps, especially for tracking prices on a few items before the holidays. If you don’t have an invitation yet, the Alexa assistant in the Amazon app does most of the same things today. And if you have an Echo at home, see our honest take on whether Alexa+ is worth it. If you’re thinking about a first Echo, Amazon designed the new Echo Dot ($99.99) around Alexa+.
FAQ
How do I see the price history of an Amazon product? In the Amazon Shopping app in the US, open the product, tap the Alexa icon and ask for the price history. Alexa shows the last 30, 90 or 365 days.
Can Amazon buy something automatically when the price drops? Yes. In the app you can ask Alexa to buy an item when it reaches a target price or discount. The order is placed with your default payment method, so use it only for items you’re sure about.
Can I text Alexa to buy things on Amazon? Yes, if you’re in the US and have been invited. Text the “Alexa Shopping” contact to search, compare and buy. Amazon is expanding access in the coming weeks.
How do I get an invitation? Sign up on Amazon’s “Shop by text with Alexa Shopping” page. Amazon will notify you when more invitations are available.
Can Alexa track Amazon prices for me? Yes. By text you can ask for up to a year of price history and set price-drop alerts. In the Amazon app you can also set auto-buy at a target price.
Is Alexa Shopping by text free? Amazon hasn’t said whether it requires Prime or whether messaging rates apply. Check the terms when you accept the invitation.
Is this the same as Alexa+? It’s part of the same family of Amazon AI assistants, but you don’t need an Echo or an Alexa+ subscription to use the shopping assistant in the Amazon app.
Sources
- Text, shop, done: Alexa for Shopping is now just a text away, Amazon, November 2026
- How to use Alexa for Shopping, Amazon, September 2026
- Amazon introduces Alexa+ Agentic Ads, Amazon Ads, June 2026
