What to know

  • Amazon CEO Andy Jassy revealed plans to introduce ads into Alexa+ conversations.
  • The move aims to help Amazon monetize Alexa, which has struggled to turn a profit.
  • Users and experts are raising concerns about privacy and potential disruption to the Alexa experience.
  • No timeline has been announced for when ads will appear in Alexa+ interactions.

Amazon is looking to shake up the way you interact with Alexa. In a recent interview, CEO Andy Jassy confirmed that the company is exploring ways to insert advertisements directly into Alexa+ conversations. This marks a significant shift for the popular voice assistant, which has long been ad-free during user interactions.

Jassy explained that Amazon is under pressure to make Alexa profitable. Despite its widespread adoption in millions of homes, Alexa has struggled to generate meaningful revenue for the tech giant. The company hopes that by introducing ads, it can finally turn Alexa into a money-making product.

So, what does this mean for you? If you use Alexa+—Amazon’s premium subscription tier for its voice assistant—you could soon start hearing ads as part of your conversations. For example, if you ask Alexa for a recipe or shopping recommendation, you might get a sponsored suggestion or hear a brief ad before your answer.

Jassy didn’t provide a specific timeline for when these ads will roll out. However, he emphasized that Amazon is committed to doing it in a way that feels natural and not overly intrusive. The company is reportedly experimenting with different ad formats and placements to strike the right balance between monetization and user experience.

Not everyone is thrilled about the idea. Privacy advocates and some Alexa users have voiced concerns about how ads could impact their experience. There are questions about how much data Amazon will use to target these ads and whether conversations will be analyzed more deeply to serve relevant promotions. Some users worry that ads could make Alexa less helpful or more annoying, especially if they interrupt important tasks or requests.

Amazon says it will be transparent about how ads are delivered and what data is used. The company also claims that users will have some control over their ad experience, though details on opt-out options or ad customization haven’t been shared yet.

For now, Alexa+ subscribers can expect the voice assistant to remain ad-free, but that could change soon. As Amazon continues to search for new revenue streams, the introduction of ads in Alexa conversations could be just around the corner. Stay tuned for updates as the company tests and refines this new approach.

Via: techcrunch.com