Did you know Alexa is way more than just for setting timers or reordering toilet paper now?
We’re way past those days. Alexa isn’t just background noise in your kitchen anymore. It's the new stage for VIDEO ads. Brands are sliding onto your counter—not just whispering about deals, but actually showing you stuff. With Online Video (OLV) ads now live on Echo Show devices, advertisers are jumping from your phone screen onto your smart speaker… and they’re bringing video along for the ride.
That’s right. Everything from shampoo to streaming shows is showing up right there, by your cereal bowl. Imagine making eggs while a streamer gives you a sneak peek or Alexa reminds you about that cereal you always forget. This isn’t science fiction—it’s happening now.
Here’s the wild part: this OLV ad push isn’t only in the US. As of 2024, Amazon Ads went global with Alexa video ads—in Japan, India, UK, Germany, Brazil, France, Spain, and more. The coolest thing? Brands barely have to change a thing. The same video that runs on your phone or desktop can show up on Alexa all over the world. No new shoots, no major projects needed.
If you care even a little about getting the most bang for your buck in advertising, pay attention. Ads aren’t just on phones now. Echo Show is one of the hottest new places for your brand to get noticed.
TL;DR
- Alexa OLV ads are now worldwide—11+ big markets outside the US.
- You can use your same mobile and desktop videos for Echo Show. No new filming.
- Amazon DSP self-service makes it easy for brands to hop on this new ad stage.
- Smart speakers bring your ads into more homes and fresh attention spans.
- See results measured by voice AND touch—so you actually know who’s watching.
- Amazon’s set on making Alexa a global ad giant. Your brand can go for the ride.
Thinking of trying Alexa OLV ads or want easier cross-device campaign tools? Tap into Amazon DSP Services.
Alexa Video Ads: Your Brand’s New Smart Screen HQ
Echo Show Devices
Alexa made speakers cool, but Echo Show made them impossible to ignore. Forget boxy speakers—these screens are popping up in kitchens, bedrooms, even hotels and hospital lobbies.
Why care? These screens are smack in the middle of moments—when people make coffee, check news, whatever. Your video shows right on the Echo Show’s home screen. If someone taps or speaks, the video goes full screen—that’s the new “click”, and it shows real interest.
Amazon says it turns your brand into digital wallpaper—always around, not lost on a phone feed. Rachel Kaplan at Amazon Ads puts it this way: “It’s the living room, reimagined as a media touchpoint.” Ads aren’t in the way—they’re just a part of daily life.
Why Brands Love Echo Show
- Chill Ad Space: No endless scroll of ads. Just you, right there.
- Voice + Video: It’s the only screen where someone can just ask Alexa to shop, right from your ad.
- Huge Reach: Over 100 million Alexa gadgets sold worldwide. Echo Show is everywhere, not just in the US.
Alexa in Homes
Smart displays aren’t just for gadget nerds. By 2024, over half of Europe’s smart speaker users also have a display. That’s a LOT of folks. Attention is moving from TVs to these screens. So ads are joining breakfast, recipe time, or bedtime stories. For brands, this means being there when people are chill—no need to battle cluttered phones or loud TV rooms.
Global Scale: Alexa’s World Ad Tour
Global Push
Amazon sped up global Alexa OLV in 2024 for a reason. Alexa’s huge in the US, but other countries are going smart at breakneck speed. Amazon wants to own smart screens everywhere before Apple or Google catch up.
After US success, Amazon went live in the UK, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Canada, India, France, Italy, Spain, and Mexico. It’s now one of the world’s biggest smart display ad networks—almost overnight.
Saif Siddiqui from Strategy Analytics sums it up: “Streaming and smart gadgets are blowing up worldwide. Amazon’s hitting global scale without headaches for advertisers.”
Rolling out is simple. If you use Amazon DSP already, just check the Echo Show box. Your US desktop video will show up in Tokyo, São Paulo, or Paris. No stress.
The Stats
- 27% YoY growth for Amazon Ads in 2024. That’s bigger than most major ad platforms (Amazon Q1 2024 Earnings).
- Millions of Echo Shows worldwide—in homes and public spots—help you reach people who may not even have Instagram!
- International campaigns (retail, streaming, CPG) see higher ad recall and more time spent on Echo Show than on desktop video.
- In hotels, Alexa screens boosted guest engagement by 22% compared to old-school static digital signs (Strategy Analytics).
Behind the Curtain: How Amazon Makes OLV Ads Simple
One Campaign, Many Countries
Echo Show stands out right here. With Echo’s OLV rollout, you don’t have to change up your whole media plan. Agencies just add Alexa devices in Amazon DSP. Now, your videos play in kitchens, bedrooms, and hotel lobbies across all those countries.
Amazon DSP resizes your desktop/mobile videos for Echo Show: crisp video, touch-friendly, voice-friendly, and ready for busy, multitasking homes where a quick action is everything.
Maria Ortega, a marketing manager at a global brand, nails it: “Amazon Ads’ production support made this move painless. We didn’t rebuild anything.”
How People Interact
- Your ad auto-plays on the Echo Show’s home screen but starts muted, so no blaring sound.
- Users tap or ask Alexa to watch in full screen—that’s the real "click".
- This means super clean data: you’ll know who’s truly interested, not who just glanced while pouring coffee.
The cool part? Alexa combines voice + touch numbers. So, you get feedback to see what’s actually working. Stop guessing if your ad mattered—you get real info to fine-tune, fast.
Real Life Example
What if your first ad sees lots of taps, but your second makes people ask Alexa for info? That tells you which message is landing. You can switch it up fast, try more voice prompts, and focus on being truly useful at home. Can’t get that from TV!
Ads Will Soon Talk Back
Beyond Video
Right now, Alexa OLV is mainly video. But Amazon is planning more. A quarter of US adults use smart speakers every week. Alexa is growing up—and fast. Up next? Conversational shopping: branded tips, promos, and info sliding into regular Alexa conversations.
Imagine asking, “Alexa, what’s a good soap?” and she offers a sponsor’s pick, with a deal or more info—all hands-free. According to eMarketer, “Content, help, and ads are mixing. Alexa’s going to lead the way.” (eMarketer). The ad isn’t an interruption—it’s part of the conversation.
Hotel Case Study
Alexa OLV isn’t just for at-home mornings. Hotels that tested these ads saw more bookings, premium upgrades, and people using in-room restaurants—all from videos running on Echo Shows. One pilot got a 24% lift in table bookings with OLV vs. basic flyers. So, it’s not just for shopping—it can work anywhere with a smart display.
Ambient Computing
It’s not a stretch—ambient computing (where computers blend into life) is the next big thing. Think hotels, Airbnbs, busy cafes. Echo Show puts your brand in places phones and TVs can’t always reach. For brands, it means being part of routines—not just another skipped ad.
Alexa OLV Expansion: What to Know
Here’s your cheat sheet:
- Alexa OLV first launched US-only, now it’s in Japan, Mexico, Canada, UK, Brazil, India, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain—and more to come.
- Advertisers can use approved mobile/desktop videos for global Echo Show ads—no fancy edits for every country.
- "Clicks" mean a user chose to expand your ad by touch or voice. That’s real interest, not just a view.
- Amazon DSP lets brands add Alexa to any buy—making smart display ads as easy as digital banners.
- Creative help is growing, and Amazon hints at richer formats—like talking ads or even shoppable videos.
Why Jump In Now?
We’re at the start of a new age for ads. Move early and your brand gets noticed before everyone jumps in (before ad overload hits). Alexa’s OLV gives you a rare shot to stand out and collect data other channels can’t match.
Alexa OLV Ad Questions
Q1: Need new videos for Alexa OLV?
No! Use your old desktop/mobile clips. Amazon DSP resizes and reforms them for Echo Show.
Q2: Which countries support Alexa OLV now?
US, Japan, Mexico, Canada, UK, Brazil, India, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. More rolling out soon.
Q3: How are "clicks" counted?
User has to actively expand your video—by touch or by saying “Alexa.” That’s real engagement, not just a view.
Q4: Can self-serve brands get in?
Absolutely. Alexa OLV is on Amazon DSP’s self-serve tools. No agency bottlenecks.
Q5: How does Alexa device reach stack up to mobile?
Mobile reach is big, but Echo Show gets your brand into “big moments”—family meals, choosing what to buy, planning the night. Those choices don't always happen on phones.
Q6: Will Amazon add more Alexa ad formats?
For sure. Sponsored Tiles, Lockscreens, and Banners are already out. Expect OLV to grow into shoppable, chatty, and interactive video as Alexa spreads.
Five Steps to Start Your Alexa OLV Ad Campaign
Ready to jump in? Here’s your step-by-step plan:
- Check your current video ads: Desktop and mobile clips work for Echo Show. Find your best shots.
- Update your Amazon DSP: Add Echo Show inventory for top markets—Japan, India, Germany, UK.
- Check engagement after launch: See which videos get the most taps or "Alexa" triggers. That's your winner.
- Try new creative ideas: Use CTAs that tell folks to ask Alexa for deals or demos. Start practicing for voice-first ads.
- Go global: Echo Shows are landing everywhere—hotels, rentals, even retirement homes. Get in before the rush.
That’s your deep dive. If you want your brand seen where people actually pay attention—at home, on screens folks want to watch, and with a voice that's ready to answer—you’re in the right spot. The genie’s out. Your next big ad could show up at breakfast, dinner, or movie night.
Ready to level up—automate creative tweaks or get better data? Try new tools like AMC Cloud to power up your Alexa OLV game.
Want to get moving right now? Check out Amazon Ads’ latest. Or see what you need to become an Amazon Ads verified partner. Want to nerd out even more? Dig into the buying guide and get ready for the next big thing in ads.
