Okay, let's talk Amazon wish lists. You've probably seen that little heart icon or the "Add to Wish List" button while browsing, right? Maybe you thought it was just for birthdays or holidays. Trust me, it's way more useful than that. I started using mine years ago mostly to save gardening tools I couldn't afford yet. Now? It's my go-to for tracking price drops, organizing gift ideas for my niece, and even remembering which coffee beans my brother likes. Seriously, once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder how you shopped without it.
Why bother? Last Prime Day, I saved over $120 just by checking items sitting in my wish list that had dropped in price. Amazon doesn't yell about every sale, but your list remembers.
Getting Started: Creating Your First Amazon Wish List
First things first: you need an Amazon account. If you're ordering stuff already, you've got one. Log in. Now, making a list is stupid simple.
On the Amazon Website (Desktop)
Look up at the top right corner. See "Accounts & Lists" next to the Returns & Orders label? Click that. A dropdown menu appears. Hover over "Your Lists" and you'll see a button: Create a Wish List. Click it.
Here's where they get sneaky – they might automatically name it "Wish List" with a number. Don't settle! Rename it immediately to something useful. "Gifts for Mom" or "Home Office Upgrades" works way better than "Wish List #4". Trust me, you'll thank yourself later when you have multiple lists. Click "Create List". Done. Seriously, that's it.
Using the Amazon Mobile App (iOS/Android)
Open the app and tap the person icon at the bottom (or sometimes top). Find "Your Lists". Tap the three dots (...) in the top corner or look for a "+ Create List" button. Name it, tap "Create". Takes about 10 seconds.
| Platform | Action | Where to Click | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website (Desktop) | Create New List | Accounts & Lists > Your Lists > Create Wish List | < 1 minute |
| Mobile App | Create New List | Profile Icon > Your Lists > (+) Icon / Three Dots | < 30 seconds |
I prefer the website for setup – it feels less cramped. But adding stuff later? The app wins hands down.
Stuffing Your List: Adding Items Like a Pro
Found something you want? Adding it is the easiest part.
On Any Product Page: Look right below the big "Add to Cart" button. You'll see either a heart icon or the words "Add to List". Click it. If you only have one list, it goes straight in. Got multiple lists? A little box pops up letting you choose which one. Click the list name.
Secret Tip: That little dropdown arrow next to "Add to List"? Goldmine. You can choose which list AND add comments or set priority right there! Like "Size Medium" for clothes or "Needed for camping trip Aug 15th".
| Adding Method | Best For | Bonus Features |
|---|---|---|
| Website Product Page | Careful selection, adding comments | Priority setting, quantity selection, comment field visible |
| Mobile App Product Page | Quick adds while browsing | Fast one-tap add if only one list; swipe-friendly |
| Browser Extension (Add from Any Site) | Adding non-Amazon items | Universal Wish List button saves items from Target, Etsy, etc. |
Adding Stuff From Other Websites (Yeah, Really!)
This blew my mind when I found it. Amazon has a secret weapon called the Universal Wish List browser extension.
Go to Amazon, search for "Universal Wish List Button". Install the extension for Chrome or Firefox (it’s official from Amazon). Now, when you're browsing ANY site – say, a cool indie bookstore or a kitchen gadget site – click the little Amazon button in your browser bar. It grabs the product image, title, and link. You pick which wish list to save it to. It shows up as an "Ideas" item. Super handy for tracking gifts from smaller shops.
Heads up: Price tracking usually doesn't work for these non-Amazon items. But it's still awesome for remembering things.
Managing Your Wish List: Beyond Just Adding Stuff
Okay, you've made your list and added items. Now what? Let's tame that beast.
Finding Your Lists Later
Website: Hover over "Accounts & Lists" again and click "Your Lists". Mobile App: Tap your profile > "Your Lists". Boom. There they all are.
Basic List Management
- Renaming: Open the list. Click the three dots (...) near the list name. Choose "Manage List". Rename it.
- Deleting: Same "Manage List" area. Scroll down. "Delete list" is down there. Be careful – it asks for confirmation.
- Adding/Removing Items: Hover over an item on desktop, or swipe left on mobile app. Options appear! Move to another list, delete it, or...
- Priority & Comments: Click "Add comment, quantity & priority" below an item. Set how many you want (e.g., 2 packs of socks), add notes ("Size XL preferred"), and mark priority (High, Medium, Low). Super useful for gift-givers.
Privacy Settings (Crucial!)
You don't want everyone seeing that fancy espresso machine you secretly crave. Open your list. Click those three dots (...) > "Manage List". Look for "Privacy Settings".
- Private: Only you see it. Good for personal saving.
- Shared (Link Only): People with the direct link can see it. Perfect for sharing with family via text or email.
- Public: Anyone searching Amazon might find it. Use with caution!
I keep most lists Private except the one labeled "Gift Ideas for Me" which stays Shared. Less awkward than people stumbling onto my guilty pleasure romance novels list.
Sharing Your Amazon Wish List (Without Annoying People)
This is where the magic happens for birthdays or holidays. Open the list you want to share.
Website: Click the big "Send list to others" button at the top. Choose "View Only" if you just want them to see it, or "View and Edit" if you trust them to add notes.
Amazon gives you options:
- Copy Link: Paste it into WhatsApp, email, or a group chat.
- Email Invite: Type in email addresses directly.
- Share via Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, etc. icons appear.
Mobile App: Open the list. Tap the "Share" icon (usually looks like an arrow pointing up or three dots connected). Same choices: Copy Link, Share via Apps, etc.
| Sharing Method | Best For | Control Level |
|---|---|---|
| Copy Link (View Only) | Sharing with anyone (grandma, friends) | Recipients can see items and buy, but not edit your list |
| Email Invite (View Only) | Formal invites (wedding registry vibes) | Same as link, but tracks who you sent it to |
| Copy Link (View and Edit) | Collaborative lists (group gifts, party planning) | Recipients can add items, mark things as purchased |
Pro Sharing Trick: Before sharing, go into "Manage List" and check "Don't spoil my surprises". This hides items people have already bought from the list! Essential for gift lists.
Wish List Ninja Moves: Features You Might Miss
Amazon doesn't shout about all the cool stuff you can do. Here's the insider scoop:
Price Tracking (The Semi-Hidden Way)
Alright, confession: Amazon doesn't have built-in alerts yelling "HEY THIS IS CHEAPER NOW!". But here's how savvy shoppers track prices:
- Check Regularly: Items in your list show their current price. Scan your list weekly. Look for the strikethrough price if it drops.
- Third-Party Helpers (Use with caution): Sites like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa. Install their browser extension. When viewing an item on Amazon, they show price history charts. You can set email alerts there for specific items in your wish list.
- Mobile App Glance: The Amazon app sometimes shows a subtle "Price dropped since added" tag below items when you view your list. No push notifications though.
I saved $45 on a Ninja Foodi grill just by glancing at my list on a slow Tuesday.
Multiple Wish Lists: Stay Organized
Don't cram everything into one messy list! Create separate ones:
- Example Lists I Use: "Birthday Wants", "Home Renovation", "Books to Read", "Gifts for Sarah (Sister)".
- How: Same way you made the first one! Just give each a clear name.
- Benefit: Share only the relevant list ("Gifts for Sarah") without revealing your personal "Tech Gadgets" obsession.
Add Almost Anything (Ideas List)
Can't find the exact item? Want to remember a general idea? Click "Add an idea to your list" at the top of your wish list page. Type in a description ("Soft blue throw blanket" or "French press coffee maker"). It adds a text note. Great for non-specific gift ideas or reminders.
Sorting & Filtering
Got a huge list? Make it manageable:
- Sort By: Click the dropdown (often says "Sort by: Added"). Sort by Price (Low to High!), Priority, or Recently Added.
- Filter: See only items with price drops? Only "High Priority"? Only "Purchased" items? Use the filters above your list items.
Common Wish List Problems & Fixes (Frustration Savers!)
Things don't always go smoothly. Here's trouble I've hit and how I fixed it:
Problem: "Add to List" button vanished!**
Fix: Log out completely. Clear browser cache/cookies. Log back in. Usually reappears. Sometimes it glitches on certain browsers - try Chrome or Firefox if Edge acts up.
Problem: Wish list vanished!**
Fix: First, panic quietly. Then check: Did you accidentally delete it? Go to "Your Lists". See if it's in the dropdown. If truly gone, contact Amazon Customer Service (Account Settings > Help). They might restore backups.
Problem: Item unavailable when someone tries to buy.**
Fix: This stings. Seller ran out or Amazon delisted it. Tell your gift-giver ASAP. Encourage them to message you for alternatives. For future: Check items periodically. If something looks dicey (price too low, only 3rd party seller), add a backup item.
Problem: Price increased after I added it!**
Fix: Classic Amazon. No fix, sadly. That's why checking your list regularly matters. Remove it if the hike is insane. Add it again later if it drops.
Biggest Pain Point: Amazon sometimes removes items entirely (discontinued, seller gone). They vanish from your list without warning. Keep a separate note of crucial items if you're saving for something big.
Why Bother? Real People Wish List Wins
Beyond gifts, here's how I and others actually use wish lists:
- The Waiting Game: See a pricey tool? Save it. Check back during Prime Day, Black Friday, or random Tuesday sales. Saved $75 on a Dewalt drill this way.
- Kid Birthday Parties: My sister creates a shared "Gifts for Liam (Age 8)" list every year. Relatives buy directly off it. No duplicate Paw Patrol toys!
- Household Shopping: Need a new vacuum, blender, towels? Save options. Compare prices/features later without frantic re-searching.
- Book Lovers: See a recommendation? Instantly add the book. Forget it? Check your list before library trips.
- Travel Planning: Create a list for your next trip. Add travel adapters, luggage tags, guidebooks. Packing list sorted.
My neighbor Mark uses his list to track home improvement parts. "Saved me three trips to Lowe's last month just knowing exactly what size hinges I needed," he told me.
Amazon Wish List FAQs (Stuff People Actually Ask)
Based on forum lurking and helping confused relatives:
Can people see what I paid for something?
Nope! When someone views your shared list, they see the current price, not what you added it at or what it cost when bought.
If someone buys something off my list, do I know who?
Only if they choose to tell you! Amazon keeps buyer info private unless they add a gift note.
Can I add digital stuff like Kindle books or Prime Video?
Kindle books? Yes! Games, Movies, Apps? Also yes. Look for the "Add to List" button on their pages. Music? Sometimes trickier, but usually possible.
How many wish lists can I have?
Amazon says "up to 100". Seriously, who needs 100? But it's nice to know you won't hit a limit.
Do items ever automatically remove themselves?
Generally no. Unless Amazon permanently removes the item from sale (discontinued, violations), it stays until you delete it. Sold out items usually linger hoping for restock.
Can I make my wish list public so strangers can buy me stuff?
Technically yes (set Privacy to Public). But... please don't expect internet strangers to fund your lifestyle. Use it for friends/family sharing.
What's the difference between a Wish List and a Wedding/Baby Registry?
Registries have extra features like group gifting (multiple people chip in for one big item), completion discounts (get 15% off unpurchased items later), and categorizing. Wish lists are simpler for general wants.
Wrapping It Up: Make Your Lists Work for You
Look, figuring out how to make wish list on Amazon really is just the first step. The real power comes from actually using it consistently. Start simple: make one list for something specific. Maybe "Stuff I Want But Don't Need Immediately". Add a few things tonight. Check it next week. Notice a price dip? Sweet victory.
It won't magically make money appear, but it smartly organizes your wants, saves you time hunting later, and makes gift-giving way smoother for everyone. Honestly, the biggest hurdle is remembering you have it. Stick a note on your monitor: "Check your Amazon lists!" Do that, and you're golden.
Good luck! May your wish lists be organized and your prices drop low.
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