DoorDash Launches Creator Program, AI Features, and In-Store Rewards to Boost User Experience
DoorDash unveiled a creator program on Tuesday, offering compensation to users who post short-form videos on the app. The initiative is aimed at allowing customers to preview dishes before ordering, as well as promoting local restaurants.
Users in 20 U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Austin, Miami, and San Francisco, can now apply to become DoorDash Creators. Selected participants will record short videos of their meals from local eateries and receive compensation for qualifying content. DoorDash declined to disclose the monetization model for videos on its platform. The creator program is set to expand to additional cities by year-end.
In addition, DoorDash launched “Going Out,” a feature that rewards users for dining at local restaurants and offers in-store perks for DashPass members. Users can now find and redeem exclusive in-app deals when they dine in, earning rewards simply for returning to the same restaurant. According to DoorDash, customers who used these offers received an average of $9 in value per order this year.
Rewards are currently available at thousands of restaurants in select markets across the U.S. and Australia, with all DoorDash consumers granted access for a limited time. Additionally, users can now book a reservation directly within the DoorDash app thanks to an integration with SevenRooms, a company that DoorDash acquired earlier this year.
DoorDash’s new AI features include personalized recommendations on the homepage based on past orders, budget preferences, dietary restrictions, time of day, and location. A “Complement your Cart” section on the checkout page suggests personalized additions to a user’s grocery cart, making it easier for customers to find relevant add-ons and complete their shopping list faster.
The app now features AI smart tags that let users filter dishes based on dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or high-protein options. According to Austin Haugen, DoorDash’s VP of product, the app uses customer reviews, menu text, and item photos to infer information about each dish. These new tags are now available to users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Finally, DoorDash allows users to browse nearby stores, compare prices, and view delivery estimates for items like beauty products, electronics, and pet supplies in a single location. This feature was previously only available when purchasing alcohol.
