REVIEW GUIDES

How to Get More Yelp Reviews

6 proven strategies to collect more Yelp reviews and build social proof that converts.

8 min read
•Updated Jan 2026•6 tips
79%

of Yelp users trust reviews when choosing local businesses

5-9%

revenue increase per star rating improvement

Why Yelp Reviews Matter

Yelp is essential for local businesses, especially restaurants, retail, and service providers.

Yelp reviews significantly impact local business discovery and are trusted by consumers for local recommendations.

3.9 average rating• 244M+ reviews on platform

6 Proven Ways to Get More Yelp Reviews

These strategies work. Implement them consistently and watch your review count grow.

1

Claim and optimize your page

Complete your Yelp Business profile with photos, hours, services, and accurate contact info.

2

Add 'Find us on Yelp' signage

Yelp provides free stickers and signs. Display them prominently to encourage reviews.

3

Never ask directly for reviews

Yelp's policy discourages soliciting reviews. Instead, make customers aware you're on Yelp.

4

Focus on great experiences

The best Yelp strategy is exceptional service. Memorable experiences lead to organic reviews.

5

Check in with customers

A simple 'How was everything?' shows you care and plants the seed for a review.

6

Use Yelp's business tools

Yelp offers messaging, quotes, and check-in offers. Active businesses rank higher.

Pro Tip: Focus on Memorable Moments

Yelp's algorithm favors organic reviews. Rather than asking directly, create exceptional experiences worth talking about. A memorable interaction naturally leads to a Yelp mention.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These pitfalls can hurt your Yelp reputation. Avoid them at all costs.

Asking for Yelp reviews directly

Yelp's algorithm filters reviews from solicited reviewers. Their policy prohibits asking for reviews.

Arguing with reviewers

Respond professionally to negative reviews. Never argue or get defensive publicly.

Ignoring your Yelp presence

Unclaimed pages with outdated info hurt more than no presence at all.

Important: Platform Guidelines

Always follow Yelp's official guidelines for review collection. Violations can result in review removal, ranking penalties, or account suspension.

Turn Your Yelp Reviews Into Marketing Content

Local customers check reviews before visiting. Amplify your Yelp reviews to build trust before they even walk through your door.

Display on Your Website

Use testimonial widgets to showcase Yelp reviews on your homepage, pricing page, and checkout.

Create Social Content

Turn reviews into ready-to-post social content for Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Build a Wall of Love

Create a dedicated testimonial page with all your best reviews in one place.

Auto-Discover Mentions

Find reviews you didn't know existed with auto-discovery across social platforms.

Start Amplifying Your Reviews

Free plan available. No credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best approach is to ask at the right moment - typically right after a positive experience. Make it easy by providing a direct link, and always be genuine in your request. See our 6 tips above for specific strategies that work.

Most platforms, including Yelp, prohibit offering incentives in exchange for reviews. Focus on providing great service and making it easy for customers to leave honest feedback. The best reviews come from genuinely satisfied customers.

Even a few reviews make a difference, but aim for at least 10-20 reviews to establish credibility. Consistency matters more than volume - a steady stream of recent reviews beats a burst of old ones. Focus on quality over quantity.

Results vary, but most businesses see improvement within 2-4 weeks of implementing a systematic review collection strategy. The key is consistency - make asking for reviews a regular part of your customer interactions.

Always respond professionally and promptly to negative reviews. Acknowledge the issue, apologize if appropriate, and offer to make it right. A well-handled negative review can actually improve your reputation by showing you care about customer feedback.