Yelp, the platform connecting individuals with local businesses, has announced its Spring Product Release featuring the introduction of the new AI-powered Yelp Assistant. This release includes more than 15 updates and features aimed at revolutionizing the way consumers and businesses interact. The highlight of this update is Yelp Assistant, a conversational AI feature designed to simplify the process of finding and hiring service professionals. This innovative tool will streamline the connection between consumers and service providers across various categories such as home, local, auto, beauty, and more.
According to Yelp’s Chief Product Officer, Craig Saldanha, AI technology enables the company to enhance the user experience and redefine how people discover and engage with local businesses. Yelp Assistant, powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), is capable of understanding user queries, engaging in dialogue to collect necessary information, and matching users with qualified businesses. By leveraging Yelp’s extensive dataset and LLMs from OpenAI, Yelp Assistant can efficiently connect consumers with the right service providers, facilitating a seamless process from inquiry to hiring.
In addition to Yelp Assistant, the company also introduced the Yelp Fusion AI API, a partner solution that utilizes natural language search to deliver Yelp’s content to third-party platforms. This API enables partners to enhance user experiences by providing contextually relevant responses through conversational queries. Moreover, Yelp enhanced its restaurant front-of-house solution, Yelp Guest Manager, with new tools and features to improve operational efficiency, enhance diner experiences, and optimize table turnover for over 11,000 restaurants.
These updates reflect Yelp’s commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of its users. By combining AI technology with its vast dataset, Yelp continues to establish itself as a go-to platform for connecting consumers with local businesses seamlessly.
