While at Patch, we also had the opportunity to explore and develop a method of supporting local businesses using generative AI.
Historically, Patch’s support of local businesses was simply to provide some display advertising, and a sort of directory or profile page for the business. These options were fairly static and weren’t meeting reader needs, or the local business’ needs.
We developed a user flow which allowed local businesses to provide some basic information, and receive a short feature article in return. In order to ensure the quality of these articles met with content standards enforced by Google, there was also an option to add a ‘Q&A’ section from a pre-populated set of questions. Those questions would require the business to write answers of their own, original content.
The article would then be reviewed, purchased, and published - with the business and our Patch AI as the listed authors.