Yelp Unveils Major AI Overhaul with Expanded Assistant, New Host Tools, and Menu Vision
Key Points
- Yelp launches its largest AI update, adding 35 new features.
- Yelp Assistant chatbot expands to handle restaurant and retailer queries via voice or text.
- Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist provide AI‑driven call management for small businesses.
- Menu Vision introduces AR overlays with photos, reviews, and dish links when scanning menus.
- Car Genius hotline, built on RepairPal acquisition, streamlines auto‑repair bookings.
- AI video summaries of reviews debut earlier in the year.
- Chief Product Officer Craig Saldanha calls the rollout a major milestone for the platform.
Yelp announced its biggest AI revamp to date, rolling out 35 new features in a fall 2025 product release. The update expands the Yelp Assistant chatbot beyond home‑repair queries to answer restaurant and retailer questions via voice or text. New tools called Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist aim to help small businesses manage incoming calls with AI. Menu Vision adds augmented‑reality menu browsing, while the Car Genius hotline, launched after Yelp’s acquisition of RepairPal, streamlines auto‑repair bookings. Chief Product Officer Craig Saldanha called the release a major milestone for the platform.
Expanded Yelp Assistant
Yelp’s latest AI revamp introduces a significant expansion of its Yelp Assistant chatbot. Previously limited to home‑repair topics, the assistant now handles natural‑language voice and text queries about restaurants and retailers. Users can ask about dining options, store hours, or product details, and receive AI‑generated answers drawn from Yelp’s extensive database of reviews and listings.
New Call Management Tools: Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist
Two new AI‑powered services, Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist, are designed to help restaurants and other small businesses manage incoming calls more efficiently. The tools use conversational AI to field calls, provide basic information, and route callers to the appropriate department, reducing the need for manual call handling.
Menu Vision: Augmented‑Reality Menu Exploration
Menu Vision combines artificial intelligence with augmented‑reality technology to transform the way diners explore menus. By pointing a smartphone camera at a menu, users see overlayed photos, review snippets, and direct links to popular dishes, helping them make informed ordering decisions on the spot.
Car Genius Hotline and RepairPal Integration
Building on its acquisition of RepairPal, Yelp launched the Car Genius hotline a year later. The service lets users book auto‑repair appointments through an AI‑driven interface, streamlining the process of finding reputable mechanics and scheduling service.
Additional AI Enhancements
Earlier in the year, Yelp began offering AI‑generated video summaries of reviews, adding another layer of quick, visual insight for users. The company’s Chief Product Officer Craig Saldanha highlighted that the release includes “more than 30 changes,” underscoring the breadth of the update.
Executive Perspective
In a video announcing the updates, Saldanha described the rollout as “a major milestone for Yelp with our biggest AI release yet that will change how you use Yelp to discover and connect with great local businesses.” The statement reflects Yelp’s strategic focus on leveraging AI to deepen user engagement and simplify business interactions.
Overall Impact
The comprehensive AI overhaul positions Yelp as a more interactive, AI‑driven platform for both consumers and local businesses. By expanding chatbot capabilities, introducing AI call handling, and adding immersive menu experiences, Yelp aims to enhance discovery, streamline communication, and solidify its role as a go‑to resource for local commerce.