AI

Automated Lead Response: The Fastest-Growing AI Use Case in SMB SaaS

AI continues to morph into new forms and flavors as the enterprise software world figures out where it sticks. SMB SaaS is a subset or microcosm of that equation as AI is being applied to everything from email marketing to SEO gruntwork. The latest trend we’ve encountered is automated lead response. 

The Yelp Hatch Acquisition Unlocks SMB Lead Management
Pro Features

Yelp’s $300M Hatch Deal Signals a Bigger Bet on AI for SMB Operations

Yelp is expanding its push beyond marketing and deeper into SMB operations with the acquisition of AI-powered lead management platform Hatch. The $300 million deal strengthens Yelp’s ability to help local service businesses convert leads, automate customer communications, and reclaim time through AI-driven workflows—signaling a continued shift toward operational SaaS for SMBs

Yelp Fall Product Release Plants AI Where it Matters
Pro Features

Yelp’s Fall Product Release Plants AI Where it Matters

Yelp is out with its annual Fall Product Release, and it’s a doozy. The wide-ranging feature blitz is heavy on AI (as expected), including Menu Vision, Yelp Host, Yelp Receptionist, natural language search and updates to Yelp Assistant. This follows the cadence of Yelp’s big bi-annual feature releases. 

brands

Yelp Goes Deeper with National Brands

Yelp made a move this week that deepens its relationships with national brands – an area of development housed in its Yelp for Brands division. Specifically, it launched a toolkit for consumer-facing brands to more effectively market themselves in location-relevant ways, including local flair & flavors.

Yelp Ranks America's Top Airport Brands
Pro Features

Yelp Ranks America’s Top Airport Brands

Yelp is back with its latest report, measuring the strength of various airport brands. Including staples like Hudson News and Starbucks, these are the brands that are often seen throughout airport terminals.

Straight from the Source: What is Local Commerce in 2025? Yelp Jim Chappelle L25
Conference Coverage

L25 – A Conversation with Yelp

Today’s SMB continues to evolve, given several macro factors. How do today’s SMB profile and how does it differ from ten years ago? No one

Local Services Propel Yelp' to Record Net Revenue
Pro Features

Local Services Propel Yelp to Record Net Revenue

Yelp yesterday announced Q4 and full-year 2024 earnings, including record net revenue and healthy income growth. Specifically, 2024 net revenue reached a record high of $1.41 billion. 2024 Net Income grew 34 percent to $133 million 2024, while adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to a record $358 million

Yelp's Trust & Safety Report Has New Meaning in the Age of AI
Pro Features

Yelp’s Trust & Safety Report Brings New Meaning in the Age of AI

Yelp’s annual Trust & Safety report is out today. Every year, it reveals how Yelp’s local search and reviews engine works, including reliance on machine learning and human moderation to police deceptive reviews. As part of this exercise, it also quantifies its policy enforcement efforts around bad actors.

Yelp Drops 20 New Features to Round Out 2024 Localogy
Pro Features

Yelp Drops 20 New Features to Round Out 2024

Yelp today launched its end-of-year update. And it’s heavy on AI. Specifically, the company is positioning large language models to better connect consumers and local businesses.

Pro Features

Yelp Documents the Transformation of the American Shopping Mall

The role of the Shopping Mall – once a defining venue of American culture in the 80s and 90s – continues to transform. Despite the bloodletting of retailpocalypse, the shopping mall hasn’t gone away. But it has morphed considerably in both “form and function,” according to a new report from Yelp. 

What's Yelp's Position on its Antitrust Suit Against Google?
antitrust

What’s Yelp’s Position on its Antitrust Suit Against Google?

Earlier this week, Yelp filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. This is Yelp’s latest move in a longstanding battle against Google’s practices. The suit alleges that Google used monopoly positioning to prevent competition and dominate local search and ad markets.

FTC

FTC Officially Bans Fake Reviews

The FTC has announced its final rule that bans fake reviews and testimonials. We break down the results and provide an official statement from the reviews king: Yelp.