{
  "id": 15733496,
  "title": "Yelp’s AI Assistant Can Call a Restaurant and Join the Waitlist for You",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/yelps-ai-assistant-can-call-a-restaurant-and-join-the-waitlist-for-you",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-20T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/yelps-ai-assistant-can-call-a-restaurant-and-join-the-waitlist-for-you/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yelp is introducing an AI-powered assistant that can call restaurants and join their waitlists for users. The company's chief product officer, Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh, announced this update as part of Yelp's ongoing transformation with artificial intelligence. This latest AI agent, called Check for Me, will call restaurants to check real-time wait times and text users updates shortly after. Yelp Assistant can now integrate with OpenTable, providing access to thousands of US restaurants through voice commands like \"Find me dog-friendly coffee shops.\" The assistant will also keep users updated on their waitlist status, notifying them once a table is ready. Yelp is enhancing its personalization features, allowing users to tailor reminders through Keep Me Posted, such as receiving weekend date night suggestions every Thursday or alerts about dog-friendly hikes once a month. The assistant will remember past conversations and review history to tailor recommendations. For example, if users frequently discuss vegan restaurants, the AI will suggest more vegan options. Yelp Assistant will also consider local weather forecasts during reservations to suggest appropriate seating arrangements. Additionally, My Lists allows users to save and rank their favorite local businesses, with Yelp providing personalized suggestions based on these lists.",
  "summary": "The updated agent can tell you if it’s going to rain and maybe you shouldn’t book that outdoor table.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}