DoorDash has launched Ask DoorDash, a conversational AI-powered search feature that lets users search the app in their own words rather than scrolling through restaurants or grocers.
Users can tap the Ask button in the search bar and type prompts such as “What’s a good healthy lunch?” or “Find me a family dinner with dishes under $20.” The feature can also help with grocery shopping by turning a recipe link, cookbook photo or handwritten grocery list into a shopping cart. For reservations, users can search prompts such as “Find me a date-night spot downtown around 8 p.m. with good cocktails.”
The launch comes as more restaurant and commerce companies explore conversational AI as a way for consumers to discover food and dining experiences.
DoorDash said the average U.S. consumer has access to more than 800,000 menu items and grocery products through its marketplace. Ask DoorDash is designed to quickly search that inventory and halt “endless scrolling.”
“We’ve spent over a decade building an app that puts everything in your city at your fingertips, but more options shouldn’t mean more work,” Andy Fang, co-founder of DoorDash, said in a statement. “Now you can search DoorDash in your own words to find exactly what you want. And we know if the vegetarian option you prefer is on the menu before recommending a restaurant, or that you recently ordered flower and sugar before stocking up on groceries. The app works harder so you don’t have to.”
DoorDash said the tool can personalize recommendations based on a user’s preferences. For example, it can check whether a preferred vegetarian option is available before suggesting a restaurant.
Ask DoorDash is available now in select markets on iOS for restaurant search and grocery shopping, with reservation capabilities rolling out in the coming weeks.
Brands including Starbucks and Little Caesars have recently introduced ChatGPT-powered ordering experiences.
This comes as companies are eyeing a future where consumers may start their search with a question instead of a menu.
