I've been a big fan for many years and even supported Yelp when they were first getting started by plugging them on my radio show. Yelp is my go to resource when I travel to find the very best local restaurants, hotels, entertainment, services, and retail shops. The reason that Yelp's results are so much more accurate than other review sites (trip advisor, google, zagat) is their somewhat harsh algorithm that ensures that only the most legitimate reviews stick.
I know from experience just how frustrating Yelp's security can be. Almost half the reviews my clients ever posted for me were removed. Typically these were well intentioned reviews by honest people that weren't consistently active on Yelp. Yelp is also vigilant about stopping paid companies from boosting a business's rating with false reviews. So basically, Yelp reviews can be trusted.
The big picture: Yelp helps makes the world a better place by rewarding businesses that provide superior customer service. A small business with a history of good reviews can generate more business via Yelp than paid advertising. Ideally, businesses with poor Yelp ratings listen to their customers, learn from their mistakes, and improve.
I know from experience just how frustrating Yelp's security can be. Almost half the reviews my clients ever posted for me were removed. Typically these were well intentioned reviews by honest people that weren't consistently active on Yelp. Yelp is also vigilant about stopping paid companies from boosting a business's rating with false reviews. So basically, Yelp reviews can be trusted.
The big picture: Yelp helps makes the world a better place by rewarding businesses that provide superior customer service. A small business with a history of good reviews can generate more business via Yelp than paid advertising. Ideally, businesses with poor Yelp ratings listen to their customers, learn from their mistakes, and improve.