Five ways to make the Yelpverse a better place
August 24th, 2011A few years ago, Yelp was my bible. A great spot for a business dinner, a yoga class, or a good local boutique was only one Yelp search and a few trustworthy reviews away. But it has since grown into a social media behemoth where, in a sea of millions of user reviews, finding the helpful ones can sometimes be a challenge. Here are five ways users can help Yelp continue to be a great resource for everyone:
- 1. Actually go to the establishment before reviewing it!
Last September, Chicago chef Graham Elliot Bowles received a 1-star Yelp review for his new sandwich joint Grahamwich before it even opened. “[T]he joint isn’t even open yet. It was a pleasant walk ruined,” read the Yelper’s review. Don’t be that guy. Make sure the business is open. If they require reservations, make one. Actually go to the business. Then, review away. See? It’s easy not to be a jerk!
- 2. Heck, go a few times!
Sometimes you have a truly memorable experience that truly deserves a 5-star review the first time. Or you had dinner at a really pricey place that you wouldn’t go to more than once a year. If that’s the case, then yelp away. Otherwise, hold off on reviewing places until you’ve got sufficient data to work with. And update your old reviews every once in a while. Even professional critics give the crappy places a second chance.
- 3. “Brevity is the soul of wit.” —William Shakespeare
There are people that regurgitate menus and describe plates in detail. People that let their cute, only-sort-of-relevant back stories take over the entire review. People that review places by comparing them to other places. Infusing your review with personality is great, but beware of having too much info. If we have to scroll to read your entire review, you wrote too much.
- 4. “[P]erfect objectivity is an unrealistic goal; fairness.. is not.” —Michael Pollan
So you hate brussels sprouts, but it’s in half of the items on the menu. Your server’s feather earrings are hideous, and it took forever to find a parking space. Don’t let these things cloud your judgment! The restaurant kindly subbed your brussels sprouts for potatoes. Your server was super nice despite her questionable taste in fashion. And it’s not the owner’s fault the neighborhood has crappy parking. Rate and review fairly.
- 5. You are a snowflake. Be original!
No one wants to read 37 reviews in a row agreeing with Jane S.’s review about how great that one salon is. Give us a point of view that no one else has offered up, or don’t review at all. No offense, but if a place already has 1159 reviews, you’re probably not saying anything new anyway. Look for another business that could use your unique feedback.
Remember, it’s all about quality, not quantity. Write a few well thought out reviews and you’ll establish credibility with not only Yelp users, but business owners too… and that’s real Yelp elite status! Now go out there and make the Yelpverse a better place!
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