Is Yelp Still Relevant in 2025?
In an age of TikTok recommendations, Google Maps domination, and influencer marketing, many business owners are asking: Is Yelp still relevant in 2025? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
While Yelp may not be the only place customers turn to anymore, it still plays a significant role in local discovery and reputation management—especially in certain industries.
Yelp's Declining Influence... but Not Irrelevance
Yelp's peak may have been in the early 2010s, but it hasn't disappeared. Its monthly traffic has declined compared to a decade ago, and its dominance has been challenged by platforms like:
- Google Maps, which now often shows reviews more prominently in search results.
- Facebook, where users often ask for recommendations from their social circles.
- Instagram and TikTok, where visual content and short videos are driving local discovery.
However, Yelp still attracts over 70 million monthly users and ranks well on Google for many business-related keywords. This means your Yelp profile can often show up on the first page of search results—even if the user never visits Yelp directly.
Yelp Works Better for Some Industries
Yelp remains especially relevant for:
Restaurants & Cafes
Menu browsing and dining reviews
Home Services
Plumbers, electricians, contractors
Beauty & Wellness
Spas, hair salons, fitness centers
Auto Services
Repair shops, car dealerships
In these verticals, Yelp is still a go-to for reviews, pricing info, and photos. Customers often browse Yelp when they want a curated list of nearby businesses, with filters like "open now" or "highest rated."
Yelp Reviews Can Still Influence Buying Decisions
Even if a customer ultimately finds your business on Google Maps or Instagram, they may still check Yelp reviews to confirm quality or compare with competitors. Yelp reviews are often more detailed and critical, which some users trust more than short Google Reviews.
Also, for businesses that rely on word-of-mouth and reputation, Yelp ratings can still influence local rankings on other platforms.
Yelp vs. Google Reviews: Should You Choose One?
You don't have to. In fact, you shouldn't.
Google Reviews
- Helps with local SEO
- Appears automatically when someone Googles your business
- Integrated with Google Maps
Yelp Reviews
- Separate discovery platform
- Trusted by many U.S. users
- More detailed review format
Think of it as diversifying your online presence. The more places you appear with good reviews, the more trustworthy you look.
The Downsides of Yelp (and How to Manage Them)
Many business owners complain about:
- Aggressive ad sales tactics
- Filtered reviews that hide legitimate feedback
- Limited control over their page
Still, having an optimized, claimed Yelp page with accurate hours, photos, and a few good reviews can help your reputation, even if you don't advertise with Yelp.
Final Verdict: Is Yelp Still Worth It?
Yes, but with limits.
If you're a local business in the food, service, or wellness space, Yelp is still worth maintaining. Think of it as part of your overall reputation management and local SEO strategy, not your only marketing tool.
Actionable Tips for 2025
Claim and update your Yelp business page
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews
Respond to reviews—both good and bad
Use Yelp insights to learn about your customers
Link your Yelp page from your website or email signature
Conclusion
Yelp may no longer be the king of local reviews, but it's far from irrelevant. For many customers, it remains one of several tools they use before deciding where to eat, who to hire, or what salon to visit. Stay active, stay visible, and Yelp can still deliver value in 2025.
Ready to manage all your reviews in one place?
RateItNow helps you collect and manage reviews across Google, Yelp, and other platforms effortlessly.
Join Our Waitlist