Yelp: all info, tips and rating in the profile
Last updated on 5 July 2026
Yelp is a platform for local business reviews that is very widespread in the USA. A user account is enough to leave a review; proof of a visit or purchase is not required.
What is Yelp?
Yelp is a platform for reviews of local businesses such as restaurants, shops or service providers. With a free account, users can leave star ratings and text reviews. In the USA, Yelp is one of the best-known review platforms; in Germany, its reach has been lower since the end of the former portal Qype.
| Verification | Not required – a user account is enough |
|---|---|
| Leaving a review | Very easy via the Yelp website or app |
| Having a review removed | Only unlawful or demonstrably false reviews are removed |
| Cost for the business | Free for consumers, businesses can additionally book advertising |
| Credibility | Medium – filter algorithm and moderation in use, but according to critics no complete protection |
How do I create a review on Yelp?
To leave a Yelp review, you sign in with a free account, search for the desired business and select „Write a review“. You then give a star rating and can add text as well as photos. Proof of an actual visit or purchase is not required for this.
How can I have a Yelp review removed?
Businesses can only have unlawful or demonstrably false reviews removed on Yelp. In addition, Yelp uses an automated filter algorithm that sorts out reviews assessed as unreliable as „not recommended“. In 2020, the German Federal Court of Justice confirmed this system as fundamentally permissible, provided that it is made transparent and filtered reviews remain viewable.
Strengths and weaknesses of Yelp
Strengths
- Very high reach and recognition in the USA
- Established review system specifically for local businesses
- Free use for consumers
- Additional filter algorithm against obviously unreliable reviews
Weaknesses
- No proof of a visit or purchase required
- Controversial filter algorithm that can also hide genuine positive reviews
- Lower reach in Germany since the end of Qype
- According to reports, over 70 court cases in Germany concerning Yelp’s review and filtering practice
How credible is Yelp?
Although Yelp uses an automated filter algorithm and human moderation to detect unreliable reviews, it does not require proof of an actual visit. The filter itself is also controversial, as according to critics it can hide genuine positive reviews as well – but the German Federal Court of Justice confirmed the system as permissible in 2020, as long as it is made transparent.
What makes Yelp special
What is special about Yelp is its focus on local businesses combined with an active, community-based user base as well as its own, albeit controversial, filter system for classifying reviews.
Tips & tricks for Yelp
- Fill in the Yelp business profile completely and keep it up to date
- Respond to reviews publicly, including filtered ones
- Do not actively solicit reviews, as this can violate Yelp’s guidelines
- Regularly check which reviews have been marked as „not recommended“
Frequently asked questions about Yelp
Do you have to prove on Yelp that you were a customer?
No, a user account is enough to leave a review.
What is the Yelp filter algorithm?
An automated system that sorts out reviews as „not recommended“ if they are assessed as unreliable. The German Federal Court of Justice confirmed this system as permissible in 2020.
Is Yelp still relevant in Germany?
Since the takeover and the end of the former portal Qype, Yelp has been less widespread in Germany than in the USA, but it is still used by some local businesses.
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