Yelp Launches AI Voice Agents to Help Restaurants and Service Providers Manage Calls

Yelp is bringing AI to the front lines of customer service. The company announced on Tuesday that it’s rolling out AI-powered voice agents designed to help restaurants and service-based businesses handle phone calls more efficiently — from answering frequently asked questions to managing waitlists and reservations.

Smarter, Simpler Call Handling

Unlike other enterprise voice solutions, Yelp’s new agents don’t require a complex setup or third-party integrations. The system pulls from existing business data — including operating hours, services, pronunciation guides, and even custom greetings — to provide a natural, branded phone experience.

For restaurants, the AI voice agent can link directly to reservation or waitlist management systems, even sending confirmation messages to customers after the call.

Built-In Features That Save Time

The voice agents also offer practical tools that reduce call fatigue, including:

• Spam call filtering

• Call summaries and transcripts

• Automatic call recording

• Escalation to humans for complex requests

By automating routine interactions, Yelp aims to give small businesses a competitive edge while improving the customer experience — especially during peak hours when staff are stretched thin.

This move is part of Yelp’s broader push into AI and automation, positioning the company as more than just a review platform, but as a full-service tech partner for local businesses.