Now Anyone Can Create and Publish Alexa Skills

Amazon announced today that it is now possible for anyone to create new Alexa skills with no programming required using its Alexa Skills Blueprints system.

Anyone in the U.S., that is.

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“Now anyone can create and publish an Alexa skill in minutes, with no coding required, using Alexa Skill Blueprints,” Amazon’s Brian Crum announced today via the Alexa Blogs. “Skill Blueprints enable anyone to create and share customized Alexa skills simply by filling in the blanks to one of dozens of easy-to-use templates. Now, anyone can publish skills created using Alexa Skill Blueprints to the Alexa Skills Store in the US for customers to discover, use, and review.”

Amazon first announced Alexa Skills Blueprints last April, and I described it as working like a digital version of Mad Libs, where you “fill in the blanks” in a template. Apparently that was just a pre-release version of the system, but there have been additions since then as well: Amazon has also released new Skill Blueprints built specifically for content creators, bloggers, and organizations. There are skills for personal trainers, gyms, and fitness studios; tutors; history buffs; authors; and more in there.

To get started with Alexa Skill Blueprints, visit the Skill Blueprints website, browse through the six available categories— Greetings & Occasions, Organizations and Businesses, Fun & Games, Learning & Knowledge, At Home, and Storyteller—and add your own content as needed. Skills can be published for personal use only, for friends and families, or publicly for all to enjoy.

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Conversation 5 comments

  • wp7mango

    13 February, 2019 - 12:07 pm

    <p>What is it with this "US only" nonsense? Why do companies keep doing this? There has to be a reason, but I've never seen or heard an adequate explanation.</p>

    • jchampeau

      Premium Member
      13 February, 2019 - 5:15 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#404568">In reply to WP7Mango:</a></em></blockquote><p>I suspect it's driven by legal requirements. Exporting code is highly regulated and requires extensive review for patent infringement and I'm told there are also rules around exporting anything that can encrypt and decrypt data.</p>

      • plm

        14 February, 2019 - 10:06 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#404691">In reply to jchampeau:</a></em></blockquote><p>Privacy laws vary greatly too. Things like age verification differ as well. Not to mention the cost of creating may not be justified by revenue generated.</p>

  • dcdevito

    13 February, 2019 - 1:11 pm

    <p>This can already be done with Google Assistant Actions, works great. </p>

  • dns09

    03 July, 2019 - 1:47 pm

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It's </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">very helpful</em><a href="https://www.resumestree.com/services/&quot; target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> top skilled professional writers at resumestree.com</a></p>

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