Yelp is adding new features to help local businesses survive
Yelp is adding a collection of new features designed to help local restaurants and businesses struggling because of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, the company announced today. In addition to the new features, the company has announced a new $ 25 million relief fund aimed at local businesses that will offer them free products and services, and some advertising costs will be waived. Moderators will also crack down on coronavirus-related misinformation in restaurant reviews.
The platform’s new features are designed to help local businesses operate while meeting strict social distance guidelines that experts believe are essential to reduce the spread of the virus. The first is a ‘contactless’ delivery option available through a partnership with Grubhub, similar to what many delivery services have already introduced. It will be available during the checkout process starting next week.
New banner alerts will also be available for businesses to inform their customers of any closings or adjusted opening times. Yelp also says it will introduce new functionality that allows businesses to indicate whether they are open to delivery or collection, or to offer virtual services such as online consultations, classes or performances, with the latter now appearing in search results. Yelp says it will introduce the new features “soon”.
The $ 25 million fund follows a similar announcement from delivery agency Grubhub, who said it was one $ 100 million utility available for restaurants. While Yelp promises to offer free access to some of Yelp’s services and free search ads, Grubhub only promises to delay the collection of his commission, which means that restaurants have yet to refund them on a date to be determined. Our friends at Eater to have prepared a list of aid funds available to restaurants, bars and catering staff.
Finally, Yelp also says it is introducing new review content guidelines regarding COVID-19, and has a zero tolerance policy for reviews claiming that people have contracted the disease from certain restaurants. This is a problem for Chinese restaurants in particular because people spread racist rumors that they are to blame for spreading the virus. Yelp says human content moderators will review reviews flagged by the community.
The measures are because local companies are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the global pandemic. Yelp says its own data shows that consumer interest in restaurants has fallen by 54 percent, while nightlife companies have seen a whopping 69 percent drop. While some companies can weather the storm by continuing to provide remote deliveries or other services, the existential challenge for others will be very real.