Don\u2019t ask your customers for Yelp reviews.<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.yelp.com\/business_weekly\/bMb2_rO8hMJbJAFne7ulMA\/image\/headline\")
\n<\/a> Yelp Blog<\/a><\/p>\n“The graph you see when logged into your business owner account displays the most important Yelp metric: the number of people viewing your Yelp listing.”<\/div>\n<\/td>\nYelp is a review website. Therefore, it might seem counter-intuitive that we actually discourage business owners from asking their customers to write reviews<\/a>.Why?<\/p>\nThe number of reviews isn\u2019t the most important metric on Yelp, the number of page views is the most important way to measure your success. Even 50 5-star reviews are worthless if no one reads them (see<\/a>: Falling in Forest, Tree).<\/p>\nSoliciting reviews creates a vicious, counter-productive cycle.<\/p>\n
We get it: you want to spruce up your Yelp presence with great testimonials because it\u2019s a platform where customers gravitate to make decisions. The problem? Consumers can tell when things start looking artificial or spammy, and at that point, they will ignore the reviews that you\u2019ve solicited and make a decision to go somewhere else. When consumers don\u2019t trust the content, they stop looking at business listings. It\u2019s a lose-lose.<\/p>\n
Yelp didn\u2019t invent the review website, but we believe we’re the most dedicated to reliable content. Consumers continue to find it accurate and helpful, and you get new business from simply doing what you do best while providing great customer service. That\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n
Another reason to avoid asking for reviews: solicited reviews may get filtered, and that will drive you crazy.<\/p>\n
Huh? Filtered?
\nIf you\u2019ve never heard about Yelp\u2019s review filter, or you\u2019ve had a review inexplicably \u201cdisappear\u201d from your business page, this video<\/a> can help explain it. Our goal with the filter is simple: maximize consumer trust by reducing reviews written with an obvious bias.<\/p>\nThere\u2019s no silver bullet for a great reputation. The best way to succeed on Yelp is by focusing on great customer service. (Building out a robust business listing using biz.yelp.com<\/a>\u2019s free tools also doesn\u2019t hurt).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nInitially, my jaw dropped when Yelp advocated against asking your customer for reviews. I do not agree with this at all. That is very bad advice from a marketing standpoint.<\/p>\n
In fact, it’s the worst “marketing” advice I’ve heard all year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It’s like making a video or television commercial then never telling people what to next or giving a call to action. The outcome would obviously be a flat-line in your conversion. When you ask someone for a review or honest feedback about your business, that is a direct call to action!<\/p>\n
Also, for Yelp to imply here<\/a> that proactively asking patients, clients, or customers for reviews is spammy or effects the reviews trustworthiness is completely ridiculous. These are real people that have done business with you and their experience is just as important that an unsolicited review.<\/p>\nWho’s running\u00a0 Yelp these days anyway?<\/p>\n
If you intend on participating on Yelp, you’ll obviously need to abide by their terms. Yelp still doesn’t even come close to touching Google Places (formerly Google Maps) so spend most of your time there getting reviews.<\/p>\n
People trust Google way more than Yelp, as practically everyone uses Google for online search. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this whole thing. Is it fair to “filter” or not show legitimate reviews?<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Did you like this post? If so, click the Facebook \u201clike\u201d button below and share it with your friends!<\/p>\n
Related Blog Posts<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nWhy Your Facebook Fan Page Isn\u2019t Attracting Customers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nLocal Search Marketing<\/a><\/strong> WARNING!<\/p>\nThe New Google Local Search Conspiracy?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/a> Yelp Blog<\/a><\/p>\n
The number of reviews isn\u2019t the most important metric on Yelp, the number of page views is the most important way to measure your success. Even 50 5-star reviews are worthless if no one reads them (see<\/a>: Falling in Forest, Tree).<\/p>\n Soliciting reviews creates a vicious, counter-productive cycle.<\/p>\n We get it: you want to spruce up your Yelp presence with great testimonials because it\u2019s a platform where customers gravitate to make decisions. The problem? Consumers can tell when things start looking artificial or spammy, and at that point, they will ignore the reviews that you\u2019ve solicited and make a decision to go somewhere else. When consumers don\u2019t trust the content, they stop looking at business listings. It\u2019s a lose-lose.<\/p>\n Yelp didn\u2019t invent the review website, but we believe we’re the most dedicated to reliable content. Consumers continue to find it accurate and helpful, and you get new business from simply doing what you do best while providing great customer service. That\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n Another reason to avoid asking for reviews: solicited reviews may get filtered, and that will drive you crazy.<\/p>\n Huh? Filtered? There\u2019s no silver bullet for a great reputation. The best way to succeed on Yelp is by focusing on great customer service. (Building out a robust business listing using biz.yelp.com<\/a>\u2019s free tools also doesn\u2019t hurt).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Initially, my jaw dropped when Yelp advocated against asking your customer for reviews. I do not agree with this at all. That is very bad advice from a marketing standpoint.<\/p>\n In fact, it’s the worst “marketing” advice I’ve heard all year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It’s like making a video or television commercial then never telling people what to next or giving a call to action. The outcome would obviously be a flat-line in your conversion. When you ask someone for a review or honest feedback about your business, that is a direct call to action!<\/p>\n Also, for Yelp to imply here<\/a> that proactively asking patients, clients, or customers for reviews is spammy or effects the reviews trustworthiness is completely ridiculous. These are real people that have done business with you and their experience is just as important that an unsolicited review.<\/p>\n Who’s running\u00a0 Yelp these days anyway?<\/p>\n If you intend on participating on Yelp, you’ll obviously need to abide by their terms. Yelp still doesn’t even come close to touching Google Places (formerly Google Maps) so spend most of your time there getting reviews.<\/p>\n People trust Google way more than Yelp, as practically everyone uses Google for online search. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this whole thing. Is it fair to “filter” or not show legitimate reviews?<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Did you like this post? If so, click the Facebook \u201clike\u201d button below and share it with your friends!<\/p>\n Related Blog Posts<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Why Your Facebook Fan Page Isn\u2019t Attracting Customers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Local Search Marketing<\/a><\/strong> WARNING!<\/p>\n The New Google Local Search Conspiracy?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019ve never heard about Yelp\u2019s review filter, or you\u2019ve had a review inexplicably \u201cdisappear\u201d from your business page, this video<\/a> can help explain it. Our goal with the filter is simple: maximize consumer trust by reducing reviews written with an obvious bias.<\/p>\n