Amazon Blocks Meta's Muse AI Agent While Shopify Welcomes It
On September 20, 2026, Amazon began blocking access to its platform for Meta’s new shopping agent, Muse. In contrast, Shopify announced it would allow all stores on its platform to accept orders from the same AI tool. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke stated that Muse will use Shop Pay for checkout and described the integration as a convenient experience for users. The move has had an immediate impact: Shopify’s stock rose 7.3% in early trading following the announcement. Amazon's decision is based on concerns around user consent, with its spokesperson stating shopping agents should respect service providers' decisions about participation. Meta refused to remove Muse from Amazon after being asked. This issue echoes a previous dispute where over 180 sellers claimed Amazon’s own AI agent listed their products without permission in early 2026. Shopify's strategy appears focused on capturing transaction volume through its payment infrastructure, rather than relying on ad revenue like Amazon does. Muse is not the only shopping bot blocked by Amazon; others from OpenAI and Alphabet have also been restricted.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence Corporate Strategy Retail Technology Shopping Agents