Amazon has blocked OpenAI's ChatGPT crawlers from accessing its site, a strategic move to prevent third-party AI agents from scraping product data and monitoring prices. The action underscores a divergence in strategy from competitors like Walmart and Target, who are integrating with external AI shopping tools. This decision is aimed at keeping shoppers within Amazon's ecosystem and protecting its lucrative advertising business, which generates approximately $50 billion annually. The company is instead focusing on developing its own AI offerings, such as an "Auto Buy" feature, to control the customer experience directly. By blocking ChatGPT, Amazon is asserting its desire to remain the primary 'front door' for e-commerce as the landscape of AI-driven commerce continues to evolve. No immediate market reaction to this decision has been reported.