AI-Powered Yelp Videos Offer New Way to Explore Restaurants
Yelp announces a massive new update to bring AI-generated videos and summaries to discover restaurants on the platform. This will allow for an increasingly dynamic and personalized user experience that leverages best-in-class AI to curate and enhance dining content for people seamlessly
AI-Powered Enhancements Transform Yelp Experience
The newest update from Yelp represents an advancement in how the platform utilizes artificial intelligence to serve users better. With over 265 million reviews and 6.3 million active business listings as of last year, Yelp has been continuously evolving to meet the growing demands of users (Fast Company).
Key Features of the Update
AI-Generated Business Summaries
With the help of Large Language Models (LLMs), Yelp can now give its users small summaries of what a restaurant or any other business is. The idea is that this will make large numbers of user reviews more readable and consumable, meaning that it won’t be all that hard for users to become the knowledge bearers themselves.
Video Reviews Introduced
Users can now post 12-second videos in addition to traditional text and photo reviews to make sharing their dining experience more prosperous and engaging. This will enable them to capture features such as food presentation and ambiance in a restaurant. With video reviews, prospective consumers will have a complete view of a restaurant in practice rather than going through static images and text.
Enhanced Search Capabilities
An updated search interface with clickable category tags and photo categorization powered by AI allows users to quickly find what they are looking for about the kind of restaurant they want to visit and related photos. A new navigation bar on business pages ensures more accessible access to menus, photos, and reviews. All these improvements streamline the user experience so that what one is looking for can be found without wasting clicks.
“Surprise Me” Feature
The new “Surprise Me” button recommends top-notch restaurants in the user’s location to surprise and excite them with their dining selection. This feature is perfect for those undecided or looking for a new adventure in their culinary explorations.
Yelp Guaranteed Program
Yelp launched a new protection program that reimburses up to $2,500 for concerns arising from engaged companies via its “Request a Quote” service. This initiative, now only offered in a few locations, will soon be available nationwide. This program is a component of Yelp’s continuous attempts to increase user trust by endorsing the featured companies on its site.
Transformative Impact on Users and Businesses
Yelp’s Chief Product Officer, Craig Saldanha, highlighted that these AI-powered tools use Yelp’s vast user-generated information to provide accurate and tailored insights. “Consumers have always had access to reviews, but LLMs allow us to parse vast amounts of data quickly and summarize compelling insights in a way that feels personal and precise,” Saldanha stated. In addition to helping people make better decisions, this gives businesses useful information about the market and their competitors.
Artificial Intelligence has long been a part of Yelp’s platform. Since 2018, Yelp has prioritized ongoing product innovation above a revenue model based on sales. This change has enabled the business to continue leading the local search and review industry’s digital revolution.
AI-Powered Business Tools
Yelp’s AI enhancements are not limited to consumer-facing features. Business owners also benefit from new tools such as “AI-powered smart budgets” that optimize ad spending and new data insights, providing valuable market and competitive information. These tools help businesses better understand their performance and effectively target their marketing efforts.
Detailed Look at New Features
AI-Generated Business Summaries
Yelp’s new AI-generated summaries provide a quick business overview based on user reviews. These summaries distill the essence of what customers say, highlighting key points such as popular dishes, quality of service, and ambiance. This feature is particularly useful for users who do not have the time to read numerous reviews but still want to understand what a restaurant offers.
Video Reviews
The introduction of video reviews is a significant enhancement. Customers can see how the food is plated within the restaurant and even hear background noise, making for a more engaging and educational review. It is anticipated that younger people who are used to watching videos on sites like Instagram and TikTok will find this function appealing.
Enhanced Search and Navigation
Yelp’s redesigned navigation bar and search features make it simpler for users to find what they want. Users can filter results based on particular cuisine categories or restaurant attributes by clicking on the clickable category tags. The redesigned navigation bar on company sites offers easy access to menus, photos, and reviews, and the AI-powered photo categorization makes it easier for visitors to identify relevant images more quickly. By streamlining the user experience, these improvements minimize the amount of clicks required to locate pertinent information.
“Surprise Me” Button
The “Surprise Me” button provides a fun and impromptu approach for those who aren’t sure what they want to eat to find new eating alternatives. This feature enhances the eating experience with surprise and adventure by recommending well-regarded local eateries. It is a terrific tool for undecided eaters since users may keep pressing the button until they locate a restaurant that piques their interest.
Yelp Guaranteed Program
The Yelp Guaranteed program provides users peace of mind when hiring services through the platform. By offering up to $2,500 reimbursement for issues such as unsatisfactory work or property damage, Yelp is taking a significant step in building trust with its users. This program is initially available in select cities but is expected to roll out nationwide, providing a safety net for users and encouraging them to use Yelp to hire local services.
Future of AI on Yelp
Yelp’s foray into AI is part of a broader trend in the tech industry. Other platforms like OpenTable and Microsoft’s Bing chat interface also incorporate AI to enhance their services. As AI technology advances, Yelp will likely further integrate these tools to improve user experience and offer more sophisticated features.
The latest updates demonstrate Yelp’s dedication to both consumer happiness and innovation. Yelp strives to maintain its lead in the competitive local search and review market by constantly changing and implementing new technology. These improvements aim to keep up with trends and give people the finest resources to make wise decisions and have satisfying experiences.
