How to stop Alexa's Amazon shopping notifications

Alexa, Amazon's virtual assistant, sends Amazon shopping notifications through Amazon's range of Echo devices. These notifications include when you can expect a shipment to arrive as well as when a shipment has been delivered. Some may find these notifications useful. But there are likely times you don't want Alexa opening her big virtual mouth and ruining a surprise by announcing within earshot of your 5-year-old that the Nintendo Switch they're hoping Santa Claus is putting under the tree is actually being delivered by Dave from UPS.

Whether you're trying to keep a shopping surprise secret or you just don't want to be alerted (again) to the fact that your regular toilet roll shipment is due, here's how to manage the Amazon shopping notifications on your Amazon Echo device.

Amazon Alexa's shopping notifications

As Amazon Echo and Echo Show owners will know, you get alerted to Amazon shopping push notifications via an audible two-tone "bing-bong" sound. Echo smart speakers and Echo Dots will then emit a greenish-yellow, glowing ring of light around the top of the device.

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Credit: amy-mae turner

Along with the audio alert, Echo Show devices will display a bell-shaped notification icon at the corner of the screen.

SEE ALSO: 8 of the best Amazon devices for every job

If you ask, "Alexa, what's my notification?" Echo smart speakers and Echo Dots will audibly describe the notification. Alexa will say something along the lines of, "You have one new notification. From Amazon shopping, a shipment for John will arrive today."

On an Echo Show, this information will also display as text on the screen.

Credit: amy-mae turner

However, sometimes Alexa announces what the shipment contains. For example, if you ask Alexa what your new notification is when you have a shipment with multiple items, she can say, "You have one new notification. From Amazon shopping, a shipment for John, including a Nintendo Switch, will arrive today."

And just like that, the holidays are ruined.

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Types of Alexa Amazon shopping notifications

Alexa can sound a notification for shipments that are out for delivery as well as shipments that have been delivered. Alexa can also provide order updates and alert you to recommendations and deals.

You can get alerted when someone answers a product question you've submitted, and Alexa can remind you to rate products you've purchased. You can also set up "Follow updates" for artists, authors, or brands that you follow on Amazon.

Obviously, you can also choose to have all or some of these kinds of notifications switched off. Here's what to do...

How to change your Alexa Amazon shopping notifications

For reasons we don't understand, you can't talk to Alexa and ask her to change the Amazon shopping notifications. It has to be done in the Alexa iOS or Android app.

Credit: screengrab: amazon alexa

Open your Alexa app and tap the "More" tab at the bottom right of your screen. In the "More" menu, select "Settings."

Credit: screengrab: amazon alexa

Next, tap on "Notifications" in the next menu that appears.

Credit: screengrab: amazon alexa

Tap on the "Amazon Shopping" option at the top of your screen in the next menu.

Credit: screengrab: amazon alexa

You'll now see all the different Amazon shopping notifications available to you. You can select a feature or service and use the toggle to turn notifications on or off.

Credit: screengrab: amazon alexa

When the toggle is set to off, you'll see a black and white icon. The "On" option shows blue.

If you ever want to reinstate notifications you've previously disabled, simply repeat the process above and set the toggle to "On."