Yelp Enhances AI Capabilities for a More Interactive, Visual, and Effortless Local Discovery Experience
Yelp's AI Enhancements: Yelp has introduced significant AI updates, including Yelp Assistant, which now answers questions about local businesses, and Menu Vision, which allows users to scan menus for photos and reviews of dishes.
AI-Powered Call Services: The company launched Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist, AI solutions designed to handle incoming calls for restaurants and local businesses, allowing staff to focus on customer service.
Natural Language and Voice Search: New features support conversational queries and voice search, enhancing user experience by providing more relevant results and making the platform more interactive.
Expanded Features for Businesses: Additional updates include AI-grouped before and after photos, review insights, and AI-powered response quality badges, all aimed at improving consumer-business interactions and streamlining operations.
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Yelp (YELP) Acquires Hatch for $270 Million to Boost AI Transformation
- Acquisition Overview: Yelp announced its acquisition of AI-driven customer management platform Hatch for approximately $270 million in cash, with an additional $30 million in employee retention payments over two to three years, highlighting the company's commitment to the AI sector.
- Strategic Importance: CEO Jeremy Stoppelman stated that this acquisition is a significant step in Yelp's AI transformation, aimed at accelerating the strategy to provide powerful new AI tools to local businesses and enhancing its SaaS offerings.
- Hatch Performance Highlights: As of November 2025, Hatch achieved about $25 million in annual recurring revenue, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving customer communication and conversion rates while helping businesses reduce overhead costs.
- Transaction Timeline: Yelp expects the deal to close in early February, at which point Hatch will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Yelp, further integrating its AI solutions to enhance market competitiveness.

Yelp Unveils 2026 Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S., Ci Siamo Takes the Top Spot
- List Announcement: Yelp has released its 2026 Top 100 Restaurants list, with Ci Siamo in New York City taking the top spot for its classic Roman pasta, highlighting strong consumer demand for high-quality dining experiences.
- Regional Distribution: Texas leads the list with 17 restaurants, including seven in Houston, reflecting the vibrant growth of the local dining culture and contributing to economic development in the area.
- Pricing Trends: Approximately 65% of the honorees are priced under $30 per person, indicating a consumer preference for budget-friendly yet high-quality meals, which also promotes diversity in the dining industry.
- Technological Innovation: Yelp has introduced new AI tools, such as Yelp Assistant and Menu Vision, enhancing user dining experiences by making it easier for consumers to discover and choose restaurants, thereby strengthening the platform's competitive edge.






