Yelp Introduces New AI Assistant to Enhance Business Connections

Yelp Unveils AI-Powered Chatbot to Connect Consumers with Businesses

Yelp has introduced a new AI-powered chatbot on its iOS app, aimed at helping consumers connect with relevant businesses for their needs. The chatbot, located under the “Projects” tab, utilizes OpenAI’s large language models (LLMs) along with Yelp’s own data to assist users in finding professionals for various tasks.

Unlike traditional search methods, users can describe their problems directly to the chatbot, which then asks follow-up questions to gather more information and create a project based on the user’s zip code. Users can view messages from professionals and respond with custom replies or use the app’s quick reply feature.

Yelp is also launching a “Project Ideas” section to inspire users to start new projects, such as home maintenance, lighting installation, and outdoor space upgrades. The company plans to personalize this feature with recommendations and checklists in the future.

In addition to the consumer-facing chatbot, Yelp is releasing an API for third-party websites to integrate an AI-powered bot for business discovery. This API allows users to ask for suggestions like vegan brunch places or workout studios, with the bot providing relevant information including Yelp ratings, price details, and review highlights.

Furthermore, Yelp is enhancing its guest manager experience for over 11,000 restaurants on its platform, offering real-time table status updates and more accurate waiting times for customers. The company’s focus on AI and user experience improvements comes after a successful financial year in 2023, with a significant increase in net income and stock performance.