Tag Archive for: Yelp Marketing

Yelp has revealed 3 new features aimed to make it easier for brands to connect with customers and to improve user trust in the brands they find on the platform. 

These three features, which include a satisfaction guarantee program, implementing AI to deliver a better search experience, and more immersive videos, make up what Yelp is called its “most significant update in years.”

Below, we will explore each new feature and when you can expect to see it for yourself:

Yelp Guaranteed

What is it?: Yelp Guaranteed is a new customer satisfaction program that guarantees up to $2,500 back if you are not happy with home improvement work done by a verified business. Specifically, the announcement says that you’’ be able to submit a claim if you have problems resolving an issue directly with the business. 

Additionally, the company says verified businesses will receive a badge and may be prioritized in future search results on the site. 

When will you see it?: This program is gradually rolling out to both users and businesses in San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and Washington D.C. though the announcement says they hope to expand the program nationwide soon. 

To be a part of the Yelp Guaranteed program, your business must be a Request a Quote-enabled advertiser in these industries:

  • Movers
  • Plumbers
  • HVAC
  • Contractors
  • Landscapers
  • Electricians

Yelp says it hopes to be able to include other markets in the near future.

Enhancing Yelp Search With AI and Large Language Models

What is it?: Yelp is in the process of improving its search tools to include a slew of new abilities using AI trained with Large Language Models. Through this, the company has been able to better understand search intent and deliver  more precise and personalized results,

The first wave of these AI-enabled features to be revealed includes highlighting the most relevant parts of reviews for your needs, providing search suggestions based on search intent, clickable category tags, and even a way for the site to “Surprise Me” with dining suggestions.

When will you see it?: The first wave of these AI-powered search features seems to be rolling out to users across Yelp now, though the announcement suggests you can expect to hear about more AI-led features soon.

New User Engagement Features

What is it?: Yelp is using new visual and interactive features to make its platform more engaging and encourage users to share their own opinions and reactions. It will do this by introducing new reactions, new ways to share media in reviews, and providing ideas for generating more effective and informative reviews.

Specifically, the announcement highlights these three new features:

  • You can now include high-resolution videos up to 12 seconds long along with your text reviews and uploaded pictures.
  • Yelp will now suggest topics users may want to discuss when writing a review. Such as “food,” “service,” or “ambiance.”Once a reviewer has covered these topics, Yelp will mark each topic with a green checkmark. 
  • Respond with reviews with a wider range of review reactions beyond just “Useful,” “Funny,” and “Cool.” Now, users can select from more options including “Helpful,” “Thanks,” “Love This,” and “Oh no.”

For more about Yelp’s biggest update in years, read the full announcement here.

Yelp may be known for being the place to go for restaurant reviews, but what is often forgotten is that the site covers a huge variety of services businesses – including salons, movers, plumbers, hotels, and much more. 

Now, the company is releasing a slew of new features for all of these businesses, like custom search filters, new ways to drive reviews, Project Cost Guides, and ads themed around what makes your brand great.

Project Cost Guides

To help consumers make informed decisions before they hire a professional, Yelp is introducing new Cost Guides which show the average cost of specific services in your area. These prices are based on data pulled from Yelp’s Request-A-Quote service, which has facilitated “tens of millions” of projects.

Along with these pricing averages, these pages provide tips and cost-saving methods for consumers.

Currently, unique Cost Guides are available for around 20 categories, more than 90 service types, and 150+ cities.

Custom Search Filters

Users can filter businesses based on their specialties or unique abilities, such as filters for:

  • Fast-responding businesses
  • Businesses who offer virtual consultations
  • Specific types of jobs or repairs
  • And more available for services including movers, plumbers, HVAC, auto repair, roofing, real estate agents, home cleaners, painters, electricians, landscaping, pest control, and flooring

Themed Ads

Services businesses that are running search ads can now take advantage of themed ads to highlight what makes you stand out from your competition.

The currently available themes include brands that reply to Request-A-Projects within two hours, businesses that have special offers, or those that provide free consultations. 

Running themed ads costs nothing extra and Yelp says it plans to introduce more themes in the future.

Automatic Review Prompts

After users submit a project with Yelp’s Request-A-Quote tool, the platform will now use this information to generate a prompt for users to write reviews. 

For example, prompts may ask a series of questions about their experience to kickstart the review process and drive more thoughtful informative reviews.

You can find out more about these new features for services brands in the official announcement from Yelp here.