Yelp

10/29/2014

Only good to see what times/info for businesses. other than that..basically bs

1/15/2014 Updated review

I got my 2014 Badge and once again I'd like to thank the academy that is the Washington, DC Yelp! community and our community manager, Gretchen P. for keeping things awesome. I have had the chance to eat myself silly at places, and meet a lot of fun people in the process thanks to the events just for elitists like me.

I have also had yet another year of putting people on blast in such eloquent ways that now my friends are using my style to insult people and their services with intelligence.

None of this could be possible without you, Yelp! And to that, I tip my cap and pour some of my 40 on the ground for all of those who just don't get that this place is meant to be FUN and not full of stuffy people. This ain't the Michelin Review guide or Zagat's or anything. It's just quirky people with quirky humor helping other people (like new to town or those who will be here for a while) get the skinny on the goods.

I am going to blatantly rip off of Portland, Oregon's title and be proud to say that I love to keep Yelp! weird.

Also, I'd like to add that your filtering system needs to go away because it gives my massage therapist who literally has the hands of Cheesus the worst reviews ever. She has close to 50+ good reviews that are banished to Yelp! neverland (the dreaded second page that says they're not allowed) while putting 13 or so reviews on her main page which give her an artificially low score. That's not right for small business owners who rely on Yelp! for business and after you take their money y'all owe them the courtesy of keeping competition fair and perhaps profitable.

And finally, please give me negative review buttons. Those would be fun and in some cases are needed.

Signed,
My son suffered a really serious TBI this year and I didn't really go anywhere but he is a miracle so I got lots of stuff to write about now because life is SO worth living to the fullest. And yes, I just for realz did the "Truffle Shuffle" at the Goonies house in Astoria, OR while on my anniversary trip. Top THAT, biotches.

5/5/2014

Dear Yelp,

Please don't be flattered about this 1 star. If I can give you no stars, I WOULD! You have solicited so many businesses to advertise and paid a boat load of money on a monthly basis just so you can filtered reviews that will help their business.

I have a friend currently doing just that and I have used their services. I wanted to let everyone know about my experience but YELP kept filtering my reviews! What is the point of me spending my precious time writing these helpful reviews? Unbelievable!!!

You said that you only filtered unhelpful reviews....uhhhhh, have you read any of it? Does it sounds like I'm ranting for nothing and being unreasonable? Instead of having a computer do your job, do it yourself!

5/16/2014

Their automated system that "filters" out reviews just does not work correctly.  I am an "Elite" status member who has contributed over 600+ reviews and THOUSANDS of photos for the site and yet I was unfairly treated with many different issues and several of my reviews were taken down due to "company complaint" that the business sent in and pestered them with.  I believED that Yelp was a great place to post honest reviews but I felt over powered and mistreated by their system.  In fact I felt bullied by a business owner and was verbally threatened by them but instead of giving a helping hand, Yelp just took down my review instead and swept it under the rug.  I got several "automated" emails with no place that I could reply to since they are sent out by "NO REPLY"email addresses.  If my reviews were not helpful to others I would quit Yelp right now .. not to mention giving up my "Elite" status for what it is or ISN'T.

10/29/2014

So, asking people for their honest reviews is shameful but not if it's done Yelps  way when advertising their company with that lame sticker plastered on the front of businesses.

After one 5 star review, I want my privacy back and they force my personal information back on their site and LOCK ME OUT. ARROGANT. Assuming everyone wanting to remove their page is doing it for negative reasons, their help center only offers that the public has a right to negative opinions. (watch how long this last). They sure protect their contact information. ("contact" means you actually communicate with them in a reasonable amount of time. No calls back. Creepy company.)

Yelp are hypocrites on a high horse.

The review site Yelp has 2 stars out of 5. Ha what a joke. The average would be lower if zero stars were an option. Fool me once, shame on you!

5/6/2014 Updated review

If I could give 0 starts I would.  They keep filtering legitimate 5 star reviews and are bugging the shit out of me to advertise with them.  Seriously?

Try Angie's list - they are much more professional and fair.

10/20/2014

I think it's ridiculous how u don't show every review I bet the companies I yelp about don't even get my yelps! This is sad. Your company is deceiving and now untrustworthy. I went to a salon that had good reviews and nearly had my hair fried off and now looking back all the bad reviews were hidden! I know u let companies buy you out if bad reviews, it's like blackmail, and is very unethical. My reviews never show up so now I'm not even going to post anymore. I'm sure u will hide this review too. Figures. You only get one star because I have to and because sometimes u help me find places that are open late.

5/13/2014 Updated review

Checking on a friends company (not related to the one I posted to) and I found that they have 4 RECOMMENDED 4/5 star reviews that have stuck to their page.  The reviews have been written by people who have either just signed up to write one for that company, or have two or three... Most of the reviews on my friend's company wall don't even have pictures to their profiles!

After watching Yelp's video on how the software determines if the review is valid or not, I am left scratching my head, as I have over 60 reviews and review something new on a monthly basis (it seems)... So, If I have over 60 yelp reviews, have more than one profile picture and, over 20 friends... how is it my review isn't valid?

This is just another piece of evidence that, in my opinion, proves the company is extorting companies with their services.

Please keep me posted on when the class action lawsuit makes it's rounds.  I'll surely be signing it.

1/26/2014

I too love Yelp! It has opened up a whole new community and group of friends - both real and virtual.

I stumbled upon Yelp when I was using Flixster to find a movie to go see at the neighborhood cineplex. There was a button for "restaurants near by". Since we had just recently moved to downtown Reno, I though, " Cool! An easy way to find out what is available"  and voila! A whole new world opened for me.

With some help and guidance from my fellow Yelpers, I quickly learned what to post on talk threads and what to post as reviews. I added friends, participated in the talk threads and wrote some reviews. As far as I know, none of my reviews has ever been filtered. I did have one removed, but I knowingly disobeyed the guidelines.

So after almost three years of learning the ropes and getting involved in this great community I made Elite. Wow! getting rewarded for something I love to do.

12/1/2014

What in the world would I do without Yelp?  Yelp is an avenue that help communities come together. It is a site that allows people to explore and support one's community.  I have been fortunate enough to partake in many of Yelp's events and do things that I would not have done.

12/27/2014 Updated review

Still happening on Yelp. Reviews from fakes being posted and legitimate reviews being filtered. This is the Year we all must do something about it.

5/7/2014

I own a small business and pay to advertise on Yelp (not for much longer). I don't expect any special treatment, just fairness and accuracy. The filtering system is absolutely terrible. There are reviews that I know without a doubt are fake but they are "recommended" and there are reviews that I know without a doubt are real from actual customers and they are filtered out. I have reported reviews that I know to be fake with detailed explanations why but nothing gets done. Apparently all that matters to their filtering system is if the person is active on yelp or not.  

Now, the irony is that Yelp then claims that they don't arbitrate disputes and that they are simply like a message board for people to post on. But obviously this doesn't jive with their filtering rules. Its a total cop out, a sham. Basically an excuse for them to sit back and let a computer program do all the work while they can focus all their efforts on sales calls to businesses trying to get more to advertise.

But oh joy, Yelp allows me to respond to misleading & libelous reviews from non-customers.....big whoop! The damage is already done AND our star rating lowered.

Bottom line, there needs to be a human element to Yelp management not just a phony computer filtering system that only rewards active yelpers with the privilege of having their reviews shown.

BTW, if you are a business owner- the best things you can do are A) STOP GIVING THEM MONEY  and B) TELL OTHERS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE -- GO ON STOCKTWITS OR TWITTER AND TELL INVESTORS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE USING THE $YELP HASHTAG

12/14/2013

100th review!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay me!!!!!

I have to say that it's only been less than a year since I REALLY got into Yelp even though I've had my account since 2011. Oh how I've missed out on so much!! But now that I'm full on hooked, there's no going back!!

I first started using this app when my friend Rica told me that there was free stuff with check ins at certain places. Free stuff? Why not!! I remember my very first check in at the Mac Shack. I don't remember what I got for free, but I remember being pretty excited.

Then I started using it when I couldn't decide on what to eat or when I wanted to try new places around me. Not even just on places to eat, I would use Yelp for things like closest gas stations or grocery stores. Plus the map on there was really helpful. I don't even use my map app on my phone anymore.

Things got really serious when I had my first bad experience at a restaurant. I was so frustrated with the service and quality of food that I wanted to share it with everyone. That's when I started to read reviews and taking them into consideration when deciding to eat at a certain restaurant or use a certain businesses. At that point, I knew I was hooked.

I attended my first UYE, which was Lisa R.'s UYE at Blue Fin. I was really nervous at first to meet new people, but everyone was super awesome!! Then after that, it was UYE after UYE.Then all the CMYEs have been so fun!! I met really amazing people, some I can legitimately call my friends. And due to all the awesome people I have met and my diligence with Yelp, I got my Elite status!!! Woop Woop!!

People would make fun of me for being so into Yelp. Even my bf John thought it was a little nerdy. But look, now he has an account and it brings him joy whenever he checks into a place before me. People would ask me for recommendations for places to eat. Then after they had a good experience, they had a completely different view of my Yelp-ness.

I have nothing but good things to say ever since Yelp has been a part of my life. I look forward to 2014 and all it has to bring. More delicious places I have to try and more people to meet!!!!

5/1/2014 Updated review

Once more on their quest for absolute manipulation, Yelp has posted a disclaimer right above reviews to let the reviewer/viewer know that "business cannot pay to have their reviews altered or removed"

LIES! I say, OUTRIGHT LIE.
They called 2 weeks ago to offer us a deal for a particular sum of money to have some of our negative reviews removed.

5/29/2014 Updated review

Jeremy! Stop selling shares. It shows a vote of no confidence. Or at least do a 144 like Benioff.

11/4/2014

Wow. Really? One star for your self-promotion. No.

1/31/2014 Updated review

Yelp can be great if it's users are critical thinkers. It can be full of good information. It is also be a platform for self important idiots that fancy themselves actual critics. I have to say I'm a bit obsessed with the reviews of my business. I try to contact people with a personal message when they are unhappy. If their tone is not constructive at all I don't bother. I've had people write reviews and then look at video tape that shows their information to be false. I've had disgruntled employees write horrible reviews that were not true... So, Yelp, you are kinda great but I kinda hate you to.

Best Regards,

J. G.

5/19/2014

Last week I wrote Yelp to express my concerns regarding their listing for these cool dudes: yelp.com/biz/great-road-…

The crew at Great Road Vet have taken wonderful care of my animals for the past 15 years.  I love them.  They love me.  But here's my problem: Great Road's listing has one review.  From 2007.  No, wait!  That's not entirely true: the 38 other reviews that users have written since 2007 are all "unrecommended" for some reason....  I hope y'all love mysteries as much as I do!

Anyway, after spending much time and effort to compose a flowery and poetic note to Yelp's Support, I was elated when I received a very personal and thoughtful handwritten letter from them explaining that.... Nope.  Just kidding.  I received an automated response.

Look, here's why I contacted Yelp Support: I'm not sure why -every single- review for Great Road (save one) has been flagged.  Many of the "unrecommended" reviews I've read are thoughtful and well written testimonies.  Is it Yelp's filter?  Is it Yelp's users?  And regardless of the cause, doesn't Yelp want to fix this?  Because, I mean, Great Road Vet Hospital saves animals!  Lots of them!  Just think about that for a minute.

Nope, you're not done yet.  Keep thinking.  (animals)

We all know that there will always be those unhappy few among Yelp's community who will use the site to distort the truth and carry out grudges.  It's unfortunate, but it's inevitable.  Still, Yelp and its community need to do their part to combat this nonsense because it reflects badly on us all.  Maybe I'm alone in this line of thinking, but users who violate the written and unwritten standards of Yelp's community ought to be held accountable for their actions.  And just as important, those users and businesses who are victims of this harassment ought to be "proven innocent" or reinstated (or whatever) when it becomes clear that they've done nothing wrong.

I really like Yelp.  I've been a member since 2010.  It's fun to look at the many bookmarks I've put down over the years and to think back on the countless good times I've shared with friends and family at those places.  I love knowing that a favorite restaurant is still open, and it's always a punch to the gut when I see the dreaded "Yelpers report this location has closed. Find a similar spot."

But if Yelp is unable to improve its community policing and its automated software then I'm afraid that Yelp might just be closed for this Yelper.  (Kinda corny, but it's the truth.)

Yelp's website and its mobile app are both a breeze to navigate.  It's a fantastic and fun interface that makes it easy to discover new places and remember old ones.  However, at the moment I get the feeling that things in YelpLand are veering ever closer to "all form and no content"... That is why I give Yelp 2/5 stars.

10/17/2014

Why are a lot of my reviews filtered?  not to toot my own horn, but i have almost 800 reviews.  is it because i'm not Elite?  since I won't replace my beloved Lucy (RIP) cat as my avatar??????  whatever Yelp...keep on filtering my reviews, along with the other Yelpers who only have 1 total review under their belt.

9/9/2014

I've been using Yelp for a few years now and it is a fun and useful site.  I enjoy the entertaining reviews and it's a great way to provide feedback to potential customers and businesses.  I've actually been contacted by some businesses because of my Yelp reviews in order to remedy a problem or to thank me for a well-deserved compliment.

However Yelp isn't completely off the hook and does have some annoying issues.  

One - The software used to filter bogus reviews often filters legitimate ones.  

Two - A legitimate, honest, respectful and fair review you may have posted can be removed by Yelp if a troll complains and there's no recourse, except to re-post it.  For example, I recently had a truthful review pulled by Yelp because they said it didn't apply to the correct location.  The problem was with Yelp, as they didn't understand that the regional office for service by this provider DID in fact apply to the area where I live.

Three - Trying to respond to them VIA e-mail is nearly impossible.  In other words, they provide an on-line service with no way to directly contact them and communicate if there's a problem.  Pretty poor customer service if it's only a one-way conversation...

Four - The fact that Yelp accepts commercial advertising on its site means it's subject to a conflict of interest and possibly payola.  With this in mind, users shouldn't take the ratings on Yelp too seriously and only use them as a guideline.  I usually check Google reviews as well to double-check.

It's obvious that Yelp has grown in popularity and continues to improve, so perhaps these issues will be addressed and fixed as time goes on.

7/21/2014

Yelp- Fuck yeah!!!!!!!!

I am a business owner, writer, statistician, customer, yelper. But above all, I am a man, a hopelessly inquisitive man.

Yelp has revolutionized the way people decide how to eat and where to eat. When I read a yelp review, I know where I can go and what to expect. I know whether I'm going to pay very little, or if my asshole will be feeling the pain of a $$$ meal.

The primary complaint in relation to yelp comes from a bunch of bitter business owners/managers who can't run a place well enough to earn four to five stars. Instead of complaining about the statistical inaccuracies, why not take the advice? Yelp is Amerrrica!  We dine... and whine about everything-- no pun intended. However, as a yelper, I've learned that there are two things worth yelping about: bomb service... And shitty service!

Yelps filtration system is more than fair! Before making any statistical inference, it is essential to rid the irrelevant samples from those that are worthy of a voice. If you need a friend to create a yelp account to pump up your reviews, you are a lazy asshole who can't manage a place well enough to earn you the correct statistical credentials on yelp. Thus, yelps system may not be perfect, but it is worthy of recognition and salutations.

Ultimately, yelp is the only place where we the customers can call on fellow helpers to support a good business, or to fuck a shitty one in the asshole. My advice is to use Yelp for everything it's worth. The next time  a server puts his dick in your drink; The next time a manager tells you to shove a plate of food up your ass; the next time you leave a place with an empty wallet and a sore asshole: YELP about it! Unite with every yelper to close that piece of shit business down sooner, or to get that manager fired quicker-- with Yelp we hold shitty businesses accountable and praise the good ones

-- Thanks Yelp!

12/31/2013

Oh Yelp... what would I do without you?

I've discovered countless restaurants, bars, and shops through this site, not to mention such amazingly kind people. Ashley M., you are my BTF (Best Tumblr Friend). Your reviews always make me laugh and want to visit. Rachel C. and John B., you are the vegan power couple of this site!

I love adding photos and reviews of my experiences to this site, and truly hope that people enjoy reading them. I've only experienced a small amount of animosity from other reviewers, mainly because of my vegan diet (can't we all just get along?). I guess I understand. Sometimes we fear change and that which is different.

Sadly, I have done very little traveling in my life. Even so, I still enjoy adding restaurants from other cities to my list of Bookmarks. I'm keeping hope alive that I get to visit Los Angeles, New York City, and Portland someday soon so I can eat at all of their glorious foodie destinations.

To anyone who has ever sent me a compliment or a kind message, I send virtual hugs and champagne toasts your way. To the owners and managers of the places I frequent, a gigantic thank you and hope you have a prosperous 2014.

And to the people of Yelp... keep up the great work! Your site is an important asset to the internet. Don't let the criticism bring you down... no one is perfect. :)

6/8/2014

ALEC is associated with VoterSuppression and StandYourGround. Is that what you support, too?

Among other Yelp business practices I don't condone (i.e. rating inflation for a bribe/account upgrade), this one takes the cake. Get it together, Yelp. Let's look out for everyone, not just those who bless each other.

8/18/2014

Make sure to get to the Odwalla early in the week

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  Looks like it works..

  Looks like it works..
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  Hopefully fixed this bug..

  Hopefully fixed this bug..
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  Test2

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• See all photos from Jonathan K. for Yelp

10/19/2014

I am a business owner. Never have I ever been given more ulitmatiums in my life because of this site... I've literally had multiple customers threaten me saying your either going to give me what I want, usually  free, or they are going to make up a bad review, while still acknowledging that we have great service, prices and quality. Being in the mattress industry one fake review could ruin everything! Especially with all the competition. I've also had multiple instances where competitors BRAG about bad reviews they place of their competition... THIS IS NOT A CREDIBLE SITE AND I HIGHLY ADVISE TO CHECK ALL OPTIONS NOT JUST YELP (THE COMPLAINT FORUM)

12/16/2014

So apparently calling someone an asshole is considered colorful language. So I would like to go on record saying that I believe that the people at yelp.com are total dick fucks that have no clue what the hell they are doing. They change their ass backwards policies on a whim. So, to these red assed baboons you need to get your shit for brains out of your smelly hairy dingle berried filled asses and stick to one policy and not reinterpret it to fit your needs. In closing you guys are as bright as a semen stained lava rock.

11/11/2014

Worst ever.

11/18/2014

To YELP: I am sorry to say that I am going to remove all of my reviews (except this one) from your site. Your will probably just put it under the Unrecommended ones anyways, or even delete me.  

I just discovered that quite a few of my past reviews that were under the Recommended category are now in the Unrecommended category. One I just put up on Sunday went straight to the Unrecommended heap. The only thing I can think of is that I am no longer considered a known or reliable source. I have been a reviewer for years and take deep offense to be relegated to that status. You have just lost a follower.

10/18/2013 Updated review

Technically, this is my 200th review. Officially, it probably just counts on my Updates tally. Meh.

Ten Things I  Hate About Yelp
By Beth D.

I hate the way I've gained ten pounds
since falling in your grasp

I hate that I can't eat a meal
without busting out the flash

I hate the haters who hate the game
who hate the players, too

I hate that when I'm with friends at a bar,
All I'm thinking about is my next review

I hate it when I think I'm funny
But my UFC's don't agree

I hate it that I find validation
in what Yelpers think of me

I hate it when I'm on the waitlist
and start that stupid, silly pout, because

I hate that all the events are so awesome
even when you have to miss out!

I hate that I use my phone more often
to Yelp than I do to call

I hate that I don't hate this crazy site
not even a little, not even at all.

5/5/2014

It's so sad for me to know that Yelp deleted one of my friends account and all her 2K reviews, which I kinda rely on a lot when I use yelp as my favorite spot to search fun stuff.

For my friend, she uses yelp for at least five years and is a elite user. She lost 2K reviews right after writing a review for yelp recently, all in a sudden. I believe she likes this website a lot because she said that she wanna save her 2000th review for yelp, which she uses it as a way to record her life. I also believe her review to yelp should be objective since her review are always quite helpful, cool and funny to read for me. Apparently, she contacted yelp and no one there seems to helpful in solving this issue now.

For me, she is kind of the only active user posting reviews from time to time. Losing her on yelp makes my yelp main page boring to read. Also, because of her constant posting, I was influenced to post several reviews before as well. But I don't think I will do that anymore, since someday your accumulated time and memory in this place will be deleted without a reason and sound.

I like yelp personally a lot because it is always extremely helpful to locate a restaurant, a coffee shop, a interesting local business for me with a quick search. But this thing is a shock to me. I understand that Yelp is in a very sensitive period of time in terms of legal cases and PR, but it's a really really stupid thing for a social-networking website to do to delete your loyal user's account...

4/29/2014

I wish I could give ZERO stars. I'm very disappointed with Yelp and they'll probably remove this post too.

Some people talk about leaving honest feedback - well, that's what I thought was "suposed to happen" on a site like this.... UNTIL I get a letter saying they've removed my review for another business because it went outside the guidelines. I went through my review and do not see where I violated any of the guidelines I read about. What I suspect happened was someone complained and they removed it.

If someone can complain & Yelp's that easy to remove it, doesn't that say something to you?! It says one word to me...CENSORED.

I don't want a review site that keeps "the bad stuff at bay".. I want truth.

I'm hoping my recent experience will help you decide whether you should go somewhere else for reviews. I have my review saved if anybody would like to message me for my email address.

This will be my last Yelp review.

There's alternatives to this site. Trust me, your search engine is your friend.

5/4/2014

Yelp has become less and less useful. Like many services on the net, they seem more and more interested in taking info from you, rather than giving info to you.

Entering a type of restaurant, let's say Chinese. I pick that, because you know in urban California, you will know there is no shortage of choices. Well, what's at the top of the page? "Tasty Thai".  Then I put in French, yet again Tasty Thai is at the top. My number three choice is an old school American steak house, a coffee house, and also another regular American  restaurant. A schoolchild could do better categorizing restaurants.

Another thing wrong with Yelp? They block Tor. Why would they want to do that? What business is it of theirs who I am, and where I am.

Of course I have opened a ticket with Yelp several times about them blocking Tor nodes and they have never had the good manners to answer me. Why not? Are they ashamed of their policy?

I'm not even going to get into how laughable  some of the reviews are.

12/17/2014

Hadeed carpet in Northern Virginia Sued Yelp and won. They sued for defamation of character and the judge ruled in Hadeed's favor. Sue yelp until they learn how to be fair and stop killing small business!!! Let's see how fast they filter this review.

5/10/2014

My reviews keep getting taken off because they "lack sincere firsthand experience." That's an unfair comment to say considering my really poor experiences at these locations and it was totally sincere and firsthand. What has yelp become!? :( I'm so saddened because I feel so betrayed like Tommy Wiseau in one of the hit classics of all time, The Room.

"you betray me! you not good! you just a chicken! cheep cheep cheep cheep! Everybody betray me! I'm fed up with this world"

I mean, I understand some of my reviews lacked content before, especially that one time about that donut shop when it was so good, I compared it to a NC-17 type activity that adults do. See, I understand that review was kinda dumb. I deserved it. But you can't tell me that one of my reviews get taken away for a POSITIVE review! Just because I said it was so good that I'd take my future girlfriend to that place (maybe it was the mentioning of Manti Teo because a lot of people doubt my ability to get a real life girlfriend... oh well... perhaps I should get with one of those Korean/Japanese love pillows, look it up folks). Not only that, that place is not even in business anymore. Why do I take this seriously you ask? Because I hold grudges. (See: Chatime)

I came into yelp because I thought it was a great place where I can share my reviews and pretend that I'm a reviewer. I was a math major in college, and my writing was never really good in the first place, so this website made me feel special, like I was Homer Simpson reviewing things in the Springfield newspaper. (Screw Flanders by the way)

Yelp is a wonderful website and it has gotten me a lot of friends who were interested in my reviews. Also, when I'm hungry and can't think of any place, I use yelp. So there's that. Of course, people disagreed with me on how to use yelp ("sorry I review based on FOOD! Not service!") in which I take all things into consideration. I mean, that's how judging works. You can give whatever rating you want, while you talk about why you gave that review. I know my judging so well because I was trained by watching DWTS on Monday Nights. (Len Goodman, ftw. PS. BRING BACK THE RESULTS SHOW, screw you Marvel Agents of Shield)

Of course, this is just a rant. But my review is this: are you SURE you're reading my reviews? Or is it the filter thing? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME? WHY?

But everything will be alright. Every cloud has a silver lining. I don't hate you yelp. I don't even dislike you. I do like you. There's one thing that I don't like, and it's how I'm supposedly breaking the rules when I have no idea how I am. Please point it out to me, and if you want to start a campaign similar to #cancelcolbert, that I say that it's okay.

So before I clicked "post" I reviewed the content guidelines. Oh gosh, I'm not in school anymore but I feel like this is the turn-it-in thing again. "Guilty before proven innocent." ("You have been banned from North Kor")

4/29/2014 Updated review

Hi Juliana,

I'm writing to let you know that we've removed your review update of Yelp. Our Support team has determined that it falls outside our Content Guidelines (yelp.com/guidelines) because it does not contain a new firsthand experience with the business. Please note that your original review of this business remains intact.

We hope you will continue to participate on Yelp while keeping our Content Guidelines in mind.

Removed Content:
dear yelp hq,

stop. sending. me. emails.
if you want to delete my reviews, just do it! but stop writing to tell me all about it. (btw, i still can't believe you deleted that hilarious story about Ted's Butcherblock. you must have the sense of humor of a box of nails.) so i've determined that your messages fall outside my Content Guidelines (re: no bullshit), because they're not primarily relevant to my experience (re: no bullshit). i hope you will leave me alone while keeping my Content Guidelines in mind, though, olof, you do have an excellent name. :-)

regards,
juliana

Regards,
Harris
Yelp User Support
San Francisco, California

5/2/2014

Help me.  Why can't I post on Yelp Talk?  I post something, and I see it, but the thread I posted in doesn't move to the top.  

And when I logout and look at the thread, my post is not there.

Help! I love Yelp. It's the best thing in the universe!

11/5/2013

Well, for my 350th review, I have decided that YELP deserves a review from this little Yelper!

People are constantly picking on me about Yelp. When someone brings something homemade into my office to share, someone always says "Hey, Cath, you gonna 'yelp' this?" My friends are always making jokes about Yelp but "Yelping" has become a hobby for me.

I know they say you should 'eat to live' and not 'live to eat', but I truly love food. I love to cook it, I love to eat it, I love to review restaurants that prepare it. Some people use Yelp to just b!tch about a server or complain that things were not up to their standards, but I use Yelp to write great reviews for places I don't want to see go anywhere. If I find a business that I want to support, I will do so by shopping, dining, or writing them a great Yelp review.

People ask me if I get paid to write Yelp reviews and my response is "technically, no, but I have the honor of being invited to special Yelp events for Elite members. I often have restaurant owners or management contact me after I write a review to thank me and sometimes to invite me back to their restaurant to show me they maybe even changed something that I recommended. That's the biggest honor of all!"

If I read reviews other people have written on Yelp, I typically look to see how many reviews that person has written. If their only review was just one to complain about a business, I take that review with a grain of salt.

Yelp is designed to help businesses improve (if they choose to) and help consumers find their way to the great places! If you receive a negative review, you should take that opportunity to try to improve what people are complaining about. If you watch any restaurant show on TV, such as Bar Rescue, you will notice that they look up reviews on Yelp and other websites to see what people have to say. If you read a place is dirty time and time again, it must be true. If you read a place has crappy service from a lot of people, they obviously need to work on their service. And it goes both ways...if you read a place has fantastic food, great service, is clean, you will want to go there to check it out yourself!

Criticize if you must, but I love "Yelping" and I love to help support local businesses that DESERVE IT!

11/13/2014

Yelp is a way for any random person to sabotage any business they seem fit.  The person does not even have to have a real experience to post a review. Yelp customer service is in no way helpful and only reiterates the same monologue over and over.  There needs to be some restrictions in place to verify that the reviewer actually had a real experience at the business they are reviewing.

10/24/2014

How much is Allegiant spending on Yelp to keep their reviews up??!!
It happened in 2 airports: Departing and landing cities were different!!!

Message from Yelp HQ [ 2911676 ]

We're writing to let you know that we've removed your reviews of Allegiant Airlines because the content falls outside our Content Guidelines (yelp.com/guidelines). When reviewing, you should review the location with which you had a firsthand experience, rather than posting the same experience across multiple listings. Thanks for understanding.

We hope you will continue to participate on Yelp while keeping our Content Guidelines in mind.

Regards,
Harris
Yelp Support
San Francisco, California

Yelp Official Blog | officialblog.yelp.com
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Yelp for Business Owners | biz.yelp.com

1/29/2015

Business Owner here. My business has been on Yelp for almost 2 years and I have just started paying for advertising with them. In total I have 32 reviews. 27-5 star reviews, 1-3 star review and 3-1 star reviews. 19 of my 5 star reviews are "not recommended" for whatever reason but all of my 1 star reviews all show up on my front page. I have used competitor data as well as my own and cannot figure out this BS algorithm that Yelp always defaults their answers to when asked. I have an MBA in statistics so I know a little about math and this equation does not add up on any level. I've looked at the three variables that I could see (excluding how many times they just visit Yelp) and there was no distinguishable pattern. It feels like an extortion ring just like what the BBB was caught doing years back to businesses. I think to be fair they should let all reviews be seen and included and let the consumer be the judge of what is credible, but exclude vulgar/profane reviews of course.