Yelp users will find something different in the app soon as the go-to business directory recently got some big changes, including video reviews and an AI-powered search.
The company made the announcement through its latest blog, saying that the latest update will be available for iOS users starting Tuesday while Android devices will receive the update in the coming months.
Adding Video to Business Reviews and Using AI to Enhance Search Results Should Attract More Users to Yelp
According to the company's press release, Yelp users will be allowed to add short-form videos to their business reviews so that they can share their full experience with other people. Yelp's new video review has a maximum duration of 12 seconds. The high-resolution version of the video can be uploaded on iOS and Android devices, along with the actual text review and photos showing the establishment.
Yelp's vice president of consumer products Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh told Gizmodo that the company is constantly working to improve the users' experience with the app. The company claimed to do its research to know what the users want to see on the app. The result of their research shows that users would like to see short-form videos on Yelp reviews.
Aside from video reviews, Yelp also introduced a new feature called Yelp Guaranteed. It is basically an improved search experience with the help of an AI model providing insights into local businesses. The AI will also help create more detailed business reviews and guide consumers to pick the "right business for their needs."
Alongside the new video feature, Yelp announced it is also rolling out Yelp Guaranteed, which uses AI to provide insights on local businesses, more detailed reviews, and help users quickly find the "right business for their needs."
With the help of artificial intelligence, the Yelp app can now have a deeper understanding of the user's intention when searching for a business. Using the insights collected by the AI, the search result should highlight relevant information from existing reviews. As per Tech Crunch, if a user searches about tennis courts, Yelp will display reviews for tennis courts that can be found in nearby facilities. The result will also show the tennis courts that require advanced booking.
Furthermore, the AI-powered Yelp search should also provide suggestions based on the search intent and not the location. In this case, the app will show search suggestions for businesses that are outside the user's current location but are relevant to the user's needs.
Related Article: Elon Musk's Army of Fans Bombs JPMorgan with 1-Star Reviews on Yelp in Hilarious Lawsuit Twist!
Yelp Joins Other Online Apps in Using AI to Improve User Experience
Yelp is the latest company to use AI in improving its service. For the past year, many apps have incorporated AI tools to better process the information provided by users, therefore giving them in return more informed solutions.
"At Yelp, we're always innovating on ways for consumers and businesses to connect in more seamless and meaningful ways," Yelp's chief product officer Craig Saldanha said. "Millions of people rely on Yelp to make important spending decisions with local businesses, and their trust is at the center of everything we do.
Aside from the video review and AI search, Yelp also introduced a new feature called "Surprise Me," which will display a unique business recommendation with high rating nearby. Users have the option to disregard the first recommendation and go on with the next one. This is a helpful feature for those who have no time to make an extensive and time-consuming search.
