Yelp is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to transform user-generated content into dynamic videos appearing in the app’s scrolling home feed. The feature, initially tested last year, is now being rolled out more broadly.
When browsing Yelp’s app, users can tap on a location to automatically play AI-generated videos composed of photos, footage, and reviews previously uploaded by other users. The AI creates voiceovers based on user comments, providing descriptions such as one example featuring Italian restaurant Cesarina, which highlighted its “pasta station where skilled hands shape the freshest ingredients into culinary masterpieces.”
The videos stitch together various user content, sometimes showing different menu items in sequences that might not follow traditional dining orders, as seen in a sample video that displayed a dessert before a main course. This creative editing approach is part of Yelp’s strategy to make business listings more engaging and informative.
Currently, reviewers cannot opt-out of having their content included in these AI-generated videos. However, Yelp has implemented a reporting system allowing viewers to flag offensive or inaccurate content by tapping the three dots in the top right corner of the display and submitting their concerns.
The new feature represents Yelp’s latest innovation in enhancing the user experience by providing efficient visual summaries of businesses. The quality of the AI videos largely depends on the quality of user-submitted content, with better uploads having higher chances of appearing in the feed. For restaurants and attractions, these videos could potentially drive increased foot traffic, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement for both businesses and consumers seeking quick, comprehensive insights about potential destinations.
