Amazon has launched its AI-powered shopping assistant, "Rufus," for all US customers on the Amazon mobile app. Initially available in beta, Rufus is now accessible to everyone after being tested with "tens of millions of questions." This assistant is designed to help users find products, perform comparisons, and get recommendations.
Key Features of Rufus
Product Details and Customer Insights
Rufus answers specific product questions by leveraging product listing details, customer reviews, and community Q&As. For example, users can ask, "Is this coffee maker easy to clean?" or "Is this mascara a clean beauty product?" Rufus also provides related questions and customer reviews for more detailed insights.
Product Recommendations
Rufus offers tailored product recommendations based on user queries. For instance, it can suggest pool umbrellas suitable for Florida's weather or recommend the best wireless outdoor speakers. Users have found these recommendations to be high-quality and informative.
Product Comparisons
Rufus helps users compare different products by answering questions like, "What’s the difference between gas and wood-fired pizza ovens?" or "Compare OLED and QLED TVs." This feature assists users in making informed decisions by highlighting key differences between products.
Latest Product Updates
Rufus keeps users updated on the latest products and trends. Questions like, "What’s the most advanced Fire tablet for kids?" or "What are denim trends for women?" help users stay current with new releases and fashion trends.
Order Tracking and History
Rufus provides quick access to current and past orders. Users can ask, "Where is my order?" or "When are my dog treats arriving?" to track their packages. They can also check past orders to make decisions based on previous purchases, such as, "When was the last time I ordered sunscreen?"
General Assistance
Rufus can answer a wide range of questions, even those not directly related to shopping. For example, users can ask, "What do I need to make a soufflé?" or "What do I need for a summer party?" This broad functionality makes Rufus a versatile assistant for various needs.
Getting Started with Rufus
To use Rufus, customers need to update their Amazon Shopping app and tap the Rufus icon (chat bubbles with sparkle) in the navigation bar. A chat box will appear where users can ask questions or select from suggested queries.