Yelp, the popular platform for discovering local businesses, has introduced an AI assistant to help users find and connect with relevant service providers across various industries. The AI-powered chatbot, available on their iOS app under the "Projects" tab, aims to streamline the process of finding professionals for specific tasks.
The Yelp Assistant uses OpenAI's large language models and Yelp's own data to understand user queries and gather relevant details through follow-up questions. Users can respond with custom replies or select from one-click response options. The assistant then sends a detailed project request to suitable professionals, enabling more accurate price quotes.
In addition to the chatbot, Yelp is introducing "Project Ideas" to inspire users' next home upgrades and provide personalized recommendations. The company also announced enhancements to its business owner inbox, allowing service professionals to quickly respond to and secure jobs using features like Saved Replies and city location tags.
Yelp's latest offering adds to their existing AI features, including AI-powered review summaries and enhanced content discovery on the app's home feed. The company is also updating its Yelp Fusion AI API, allowing third-party partners to integrate conversational AI experiences.
Yelp's Chief Product Officer, Craig Saldanha, emphasized the transformative potential of AI: "AI enables us to transform the way people discover and connect with local businesses. Yelp Assistant is a game-changer for hiring service providers, alleviating friction for consumers."