DOORDASH is hitting its customers with three major changes promising to make the app easier to use.
The delivery service company is changing the way that customers use the app through enhanced AI features and specific food recommendations.
DoorDash has introduced AI-powered food recommendations[/caption]
DoorDash was recently made to pay out refunds to thousands of customers following a nationwide outage earlier this year.
Now, the company has announced a slew of technological changes to improve the service, which include a partnership with the company Yelp.
Austin Haugen, vice president of consumer products at DoorDash, said at a company event recently that the company was trying to make things simpler.
He said: “It really comes down to one question: how do we make life just a little bit easier for our consumers?”
HOW WILL DOORDASH MAKE ITS APP MORE PERSONAL?
The company is investing in artificial intelligence software that will recommend dishes and restaurants to users.
The tech will base these recommendations on things like past orders, budget preference, dietary preferences and what time of day the user most commonly places orders.
These AI-supported food recommendations are already live in major cities like San Francisco and Manhattan.
More cities will follow later this year, DoorDash confirmed in a press release.
DoorDash is also adding AI-powered smart tags to give users more information before ordering.
The AI can infer from photos and photo descriptions to detect if an item is vegetarian, gluten-free, spicy, or high in protein.
These tags can be used to filter out specific types of food.
They are available across the world, in places including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
HOW ARE LOCAL RESTAURANTS GETTING INVOLVED?
The DoorDash app is now incorporating short videos from food merchants in Atlanta, San Francisco, Miami and Austin, according to Haugen.
These videos help customers discover new food merchants and learn a bit about how the food is made.
Top Grocery Delivery Apps:
Shoppers can save time by getting someone else to get their groceries for them using a variety of apps and services.
Instacart: Works with major retailers including Albertsons, ALDI, Costco, CVS, Kroger, Sam’s Club, and Wegmans. Groceries can be delivered as quickly as one hour and can be arranged to suit your schedule. However, prices can differ compared to those that are in-store. There is a $99 per year or $9.99 per month membership fee.
Amazon Fresh: This is an off-shoot of Amazon. It offers customers fresh groceries and household goods. The service works similarly to Instacart and offers same-day delivery and exclusive offers to those with Amazon Prime.
Walmart Grocery: Walmart shoppers can place orders via the Walmart app and either pick them up or have them delivered to their door. The retailer calls it “the easiest way to shop.”
Shipt: Membership costs $99 per year with unlimited free deliveries on orders over $35. It enables customers to speak directly with their assigned Shipt shoppers to make special requests. The company also works closely with Target.
Kroger Delivery: Kroger shoppers can get their groceries taken to their door at a delivery time that suits them. It also offers customers the chance to spend digital coupons so they do not miss out on key deals. However, the retailer’s service does not offer same-day delivery.
Target Same-Day Delivery: Orders can arrive within a few hours of being placed. Shoppers can get real-time updates on their orders which will allow for last-minute changes and special requests. Target states that there are “no delivery markups” and Target Circle deals are included. Shoppers can pay per delivery or become a Target Circle 360 member for unlimited deliveries.
DoorDash has also added a new Creator Program across 20 cities in the US.
Users are invited to take videos of their orders and receive compensation for qualifying content.
WHO IS DOORDASH ASKING FOR HELP?
Finally, DoorDash has partnered with the company Yelp to provide access to third-party delivery.
Yelp said in a press release that its users will be able to connect with over 500,000 merchants to order takeout and delivery with DoorDash.
Brian Hale, chief growth officer at DoorDash, said that the partnership makes it easier for diners to discover more food.
He said: “Partnering with Yelp brings together two leading platforms in local commerce, making it easier than ever for diners to discover, decide, and ultimately get their meals delivered.”
Yelp will keep its existing delivery partnerships for restaurants that are not on DoorDash’s platform.
