Alibaba’s Amap reaches 400 million users, fueled by new AI feature

Alibaba Group Holding's destination ranking feature in its Amap (Gaode), also known as Amap Street Stars, has made a significant push into the local services market, as the tech giant doubles down on efforts to challenge rival delivery platform Meituan.

Amap Street Stars was launched on September 10 to provide rankings based on AI, and since then, 400 million users have utilised it.

Amap's new ranking feature clearly showcases Alibaba's latest strategic move to challenge Meituan, which is well-known for its widely used Dianping restaurant rating application.

The two tech rivals have been locked in an extended battle in the instant shopping sector, where they have dispensed a slew of discounts in a relentless war for market share.

Meituan announced plans in response to the launch of Street Stars, stating that they would utilise AI models to screen consumer reviews of restaurants, as well as launch high-quality food delivery services.

Additionally, Amap's new AI assistant Xiaogao had recommended over 92 million lifestyle service locations in the first week of October and processed more than 2.6 billion user requests on Wednesday, October 1.