Yelp is introducing a new artificial intelligence-powered feature called “Check for Me,” designed to simplify the process of determining restaurant wait times for its users. This innovative tool allows the Yelp app to deploy a voice agent that will directly contact restaurants on behalf of the user. Customers will simply need to input their party size and phone number on a restaurant’s page within the app. The AI agent will then handle the call, inquire about the current wait times, and relay the information back to the user via text message, enabling them to make informed decisions about dining out.

This move by Yelp follows a broader trend in the personal assistant market, where AI agents are increasingly being utilized for tasks such as customer support and appointment scheduling. Yelp’s “Check for Me” feature extends this capability to a common consumer need, directly addressing the friction often associated with finding out how long a table might be available. While the prospect of AI agents interacting with restaurant staff is promising, the company acknowledges the potential for communication breakdowns if the restaurant also employs an AI system.

Beyond wait time inquiries, Yelp is also enhancing its core AI assistant with improved personalization and new functionalities. An integration with OpenTable will allow users to book reservations directly within the Yelp app. Furthermore, the AI assistant will now remember user preferences from past conversations and provide access to recent chat history, with full history expected soon. Users can also set custom reminders and create personalized lists of restaurants and services, which can be filtered, reordered, and shared.

Yelp is also expanding its offerings for businesses with a new paid product, Smart Lead Reply. For a monthly fee, this service will utilize AI to manage customer inquiries, respond to leads, and engage with potential customers, allowing business owners to define specific conversational parameters. This strategic push into AI-driven customer service and business solutions underscores Yelp’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance both the consumer and business experience on its platform.

Key Takeaways

• Yelp has launched an AI feature, 'Check for Me,' that calls restaurants to check wait times on behalf of users.
• The company is enhancing its AI assistant with features like OpenTable integration, improved personalization, and custom list creation.
• Yelp is also introducing a new paid AI product for businesses, Smart Lead Reply, to manage customer inquiries.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

Yelp’s strategic integration of AI into its core services signals a significant shift towards leveraging automation for both consumer convenience and business efficiency. By enabling AI to handle routine tasks like checking wait times, Yelp not only enhances user experience but also positions itself as a leader in AI-driven discovery platforms. The introduction of Smart Lead Reply for businesses further solidifies this direction, offering a scalable solution for customer engagement. This move could set a new industry standard, prompting competitors to adopt similar AI functionalities to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Yelp's 'Check for Me' feature work?
A: Users can access the 'Check for Me' feature on restaurant pages within the Yelp app. They input their party size and phone number, and Yelp's AI agent then calls the restaurant to inquire about wait times and texts the results back to the user.

Q: What other AI enhancements is Yelp introducing?
A: Yelp is improving its AI assistant with OpenTable integration for booking, better personalization by remembering user preferences, access to chat history, custom reminders, and the ability to create and share personalized lists.

Q: What is Yelp's new paid product for businesses?
A: Yelp is launching 'Smart Lead Reply,' a $30 per month service that uses AI to reply to customer inquiries and engage with leads, allowing business owners to customize how the AI handles conversations.