Yelp has updated its AI assistant to let users ask about a restaurant and complete a booking or order in a single conversation. The feature targets both dining and service providers listed on the platform. Users can now get answers about menus, hours, or availability without leaving the chat. The AI then processes reservations or purchases directly through the same interface. This change follows Yelp’s push to integrate commerce tools into its search and discovery tools. The company said the update reduces steps for customers who want to act on information they find. Yelp’s AI has been trained on business listings, reviews, and service data to provide accurate responses. The system checks real-time availability before confirming bookings. Orders for services like spa treatments or home repairs can also be placed through the chat. The update is available in the latest versions of Yelp’s mobile app and website. Yelp did not disclose user adoption numbers for the new feature. The company plans to expand the AI’s capabilities in the coming months. Competitors like Google and Tripadvisor offer similar booking tools, but Yelp’s integration focuses on smaller businesses and local services.
Source: techcrunch.com