Foodies can now create lists of their favorite restaurants on Uber Eats and share them in the app.
The new feature, called Lists, launched today in New York City and Chicago. It’s Uber Eats’ first foray into user-generated content.
Users can build and edit lists under the Account tab in their app. The lists can consist of restaurants as well as individual menu items.
Images courtesy of Uber Eats
The user can then share their lists with friends or family or make them public in the app. Public lists have a chance to be featured on the Uber Eats home feed for other customers to see. Customers can also click on a “featured lists” carousel on the home feed to see more lists.
The feature appears to be geared toward food influencers, some of whom will help kick off the launch. Jeremy Jacobowitz, aka Brunchboys; Ella Kahan and Emma Matarasso of Chew York City; Sam Roby of Chicago Food Authority; and Cam Brenson of Bored In Chicago will be the "lead content generators" for the new feature, Uber Eats said.
The lists carousel will show lists from paid influencers and potentially regular users. Selections will be based on theme, relevance and engagement potential, an Uber Eats spokesperson said.
The lists provide another way for customers to find restaurants on Uber Eats, with an extra stamp of approval from tastemakers. A blessing from an influencer can have a real impact on a restaurant's business. And the lists could help draw attention to independent restaurants on the app, where large chains often have an advantage.
The feature also brings an element of social media to the app, which until now has operated more or less like a traditional online marketplace.
User-generated content is a new direction for Uber Eats that will continue next year, the company said, though it didn’t go into detail.
“Lists lets users share their favorites—whether it’s the best burger in town, or another local hidden gem,” said Shiva Rajaraman, VP of product for Uber Eats, in a statement. “We’re excited to make our first foray into user generated content and watch our community share their foodie finds with others.”
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