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How to Set Up 24/7 AI Auto-Responder for Yelp Leads via Zapier

Automate your Yelp lead responses using LeadTruffle and Zapier in just two Zaps.

Bryan Shankman avatar
Written by Bryan Shankman
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Overview

This guide will show you how to connect LeadTruffle and Yelp via Zapier to automatically capture and respond to Yelp leads using AI. You’ll set up two Zaps:

  • One to create Yelp leads in LeadTruffle

  • One to automatically respond to new Yelp messages

⚡️ If your LeadTruffle account is not yet connected to Zapier, follow this guide: How to Connect LeadTruffle to Zapier

Step 1: Connect Your Yelp Account to Zapier

  1. Start a new Zap.

  2. Set the trigger app to Yelp.

  3. Choose the trigger event New Lead.

  4. Connect the appropriate Yelp account.

  5. Test to confirm Yelp is feeding leads into Zapier.

Step 2: Create Yelp Lead in LeadTruffle

  1. Add LeadTruffle as the action app (ensure it’s version 2.0).

  2. Choose the action event Create Yelp Lead.

  3. Map the fields from Yelp to LeadTruffle:

    • Yelp Lead ID

    • Business ID

    • Lead User Name

    • Temporary Phone

    • Temporary Email

    • Business Address

    • Projet Location Postal Code

    • Project Details

  4. Test the Zap to confirm successful data transfer.

  5. Click Publish.
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Update — January 20th, 2026

We now recommend adding a third step to your “Create Yelp Lead” Zap.

Traditionally, this Zap includes only two steps to create the lead in LeadTruffle.
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To ensure the lead receives an immediate response, add an additional action:

Step 3: Create New Message (LeadTruffle)

This step sends an initial message the moment a new Yelp lead is created, so no lead sits idle before your automation starts.

You should still keep your existing messaging automation in place — this step simply guarantees an instant first touch.

See screenshot below for how to add the “Create New Message” action.

Step 3: Set Up Auto-Response to Yelp Messages

  1. Start a second Zap.

  2. Trigger App: Yelp

    • Trigger Event: New Consumer Message

  3. Action App: LeadTruffle (2.0)

    • Action Event: Respond to New Yelp Consumer Message

  4. Map fields:

    • Yelp Lead ID

    • Yelp Business ID

    • Message ID

    • User Display Name

    • Message Text

  5. Final Step:

    • Action Event: Create Message

    • Map:

      • Lead ID

      • AI Reply Message (from LeadTruffle)

Note: If testing fails due to no real lead, skip the test and Publish directly.

Optional: Speed Up Setup with Duplication

To streamline your workflow:

  • Duplicate your first Zap

  • Change only the trigger and final action events for the second Zap

Manually Reply to Yelp Leads from LeadTruffle

Sometimes, you may want to take over the conversation from the AI—especially when a lead is ready to book or requires a human touch. With LeadTruffle’s Unified Inbox, you can reply manually to Yelp leads without switching platforms.

Here’s how manual reply (human takeover) works:
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When to Use Manual Replies

  • A lead is asking specific questions the AI can’t handle

  • You’re ready to confirm a booking or move the conversation forward personally

  • You want to stop AI replies temporarily

How to Reply Manually

  1. Go to the Unified Inbox in your LeadTruffle dashboard.

  2. Locate the lead marked with the Yelp icon on the left—this confirms it’s a Yelp lead.

  3. Type your response manually in the message field and send.

    • The message will be pushed directly into the Yelp messaging system.

  4. While replying manually, you’ll see “Manual Mode” enabled at the bottom of the conversation.

Set Up a Zap to for Manual Replies

  1. Create a New Zap in Zapier.

  2. Trigger:

    • App: LeadTruffle (version 2.2 or higher)

    • Event: New Yelp Business Message Response

    • This trigger fires when a message is manually sent from LeadTruffle to a Yelp lead.

  3. Choose Your LeadTruffle Account and test the trigger to pull in sample data.

  4. Action:

    • App: Yelp

    • Event: Create New Message

    • Map the following fields:

      • Yelp Lead ID – from LeadTruffle

      • Message Text – the manual reply from your team

  5. Publish Your Zap.

    • You now have visibility or follow-up automation tied to human replies in LeadTruffle.

Make sure you’re using LeadTruffle version 2.2 or higher in Zapier to access this trigger.

Switching AI On or Off

  • To turn off AI, use the toggle inside the conversation.

  • To resume AI replies, simply toggle it back on.

  • For broader control, you can disable AI for all Yelp leads in your settings.

Tip: You can automate follow-ups to Yelp leads, but if you’re manually handling replies, it’s best to complete the conversation before reactivating automation.

Managing Yelp Leads Inside LeadTruffle

  • All Yelp leads will appear in the Yelp Leads Dashboard

  • Use the built-in prompt editor to customize AI replies

  • AI will respond to leads unless you toggle it off

  • You can take over manually from the Unified Inbox

Tip: Ask for phone numbers and emails in your AI prompt to enable follow-up via SMS and email.
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When to Turn Off AI

  • When a lead is ready to book and human follow-up is preferred

  • Simply toggle off the AI for that lead and reply manually

Need help? Contact us at [email protected] or message the team via the Intercom chat on this article or in-app.

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