Yelp is emphasizing its broader utility beyond restaurant discovery by introducing the Yelp Assistant, an AI chatbot designed to grasp users’ needs contextually and connect them with local service providers.
When considering a bathtub replacement, the chatbot will inquire about preferences such as the type of bathtub desired and desired features, then recommend nearby bathtub installers accordingly. Users can either compose their own messages to chosen businesses or have Yelp Assistant draft one for them.
Once the final project request, based on the chat session, is reviewed, the bot can transmit it to service providers on the user’s behalf, enhancing the accuracy of price quotes, according to Yelp.
Yelp mentions that the chatbot extends its support to various other services including massage therapists, pet care, real estate, and financial services. Yelp Assistant, driven by large language models developed by OpenAI, is presently accessible in the iOS iterations of its mobile app and is scheduled for release on Android devices later this summer.
Yelp has expanded its array of generative AI capabilities, including last year’s introduction of AI-driven review summaries for restaurants and nightlife establishments. Furthermore, AI is employed to curate additional content and photos within the app’s home feed.
Alongside Yelp Assistant, the company is enhancing its Yelp Fusion AI API, which facilitates the integration of Yelp’s data into third-party platforms. Previously focused on user reviews and data, the updated Yelp Fusion API now enables partner companies to incorporate natural language search functionality for Yelp’s database. Although currently supporting single question-and-answer interactions, Yelp anticipates extending this capability to accommodate longer conversation strings later this year.
Perplexity, an AI search platform, has integrated Yelp’s content into its search results via the Yelp Fusion API. The updated Yelp Fusion API is accessible to Yelp partners, while non-partners can explore the service through a 30-day trial period.
