YELP News & Events

Yelp announced its Spring Product Release, introducing more than 35 new features and updates that transform how consumers discover, connect and get things done with local businesses. The release unveils the new Yelp Assistant, an AI-powered chatbot that delivers instant answers, reliable recommendations and seamless booking-from restaurant reservations to beauty appointments-all in one conversation. New integrations with Vagaro, Zocdoc and Calendly expand scheduling capabilities across more categories on Yelp, while enhancements to AI-powered Menu Vision make deciding what to order more visual and engaging. The release also introduces new tools for advertisers, including an AI-powered support chatbot and enhanced advertising tools.

While Yelp claims to "help businesses of all sizes reach a large audience, advertise their products and drive conversion of their services," The Bear Cave says it has obtained hundreds of consumer complaints "alleging a pattern of misleading and fraudulent billing by Yelp, deceptive free trials and cancellation notices, and excessive, harassing, or misleading telemarketing by the platform." The Bear Cave says that many of the complaints allege that Yelp's remote sales reps push small businesses into "free" ad campaign trials, and after merchants believe they have successfully cancelled trial campaigns, they are surprised months later with hundreds or thousands of dollars in unexpected charges from Yelp or a collection agency representing Yelp.