If you’ve spent any time on Apple Maps or used Siri, Apple’s conversational iOS search assistant, then you already know that they both use Yelp as THE go-to source for data on local businesses in it's OS. However, a top listing at Yelp also comes with 2 added benefits that shouldn’t be ignored. Those include:
Bing’s Local Listings - Much of what you see in Bing’s local listings these days comes directly from Yelp.
Yelp Users - Remember Yelp’s own large database of active users to the mix, which they claim their apps are installed on 8 million smartphones and that 45% of the searches made on Yelp come from those app users.
Search tool specialists Moz declared Yelp "the leading source for consumer reviews" in their Dec 13th 2016 integration launch announcement.
All of these benefits make it easy to understand why some people believe that Yelp is one of the best places (next to Google) that any local business can focus when looking for a solid return on investment. (As long as you can deal with the Yelp sales calls.)
Related links
- Yelp vs. Google Reviews - While Google is slowly winning over the public with its seemingly unbiased treatment of reviews, it’s not fast enough. Some people still consider Yelp the king of review websites, and for good reason. Yelp only focuses on reviews, while Google Reviews is just a small part of the Google empire. Although the clear winner in this debate is Google, Yelp does have some pros that cannot be ignored. It still holds a rather large audience, and it still weighs in heavily on search engine results. Meanwhile, Google has streamlined their reviews so that you can monitor and access them along with its other main services. Google’s reviews also hold weight in search engine results, but you must be listed in order to show up. The inconvenience is negligible compared to what is actually happening: change. Just as customers are looking for other places to leave reviews, business owners are looking for other places to respond to reviews. Google doesn’t apply the pressure that Yelp does, but Yelp is still a powerhouse, and it will be difficult to take its place.
- Are Yelp ads worth paying for? - "...this leaves a total of 11 leads from a $1171 ad spend or $106 a lead. Yep, their cost per lead on Yelp is 3.3 times higher compared to Google AdWords!"
- Google My Business Reviews vs. Yelp?
- In my experience, they both have a ton of value in terms of local SEO. @thecraigmount can really elaborate on this more.
If you really want the edge, use both. Yelp is evil, but they are a necessary evil if you really want to own the local SERPs. Yes, you can do it without but it makes life much easier if you submit to their power." - Patrick Coombe, CEO at Elite Strategies - "It's uncertain if Google MyBusiness is going to surpass Yelp, and for that reason I would favor the weight of my efforts & focus go to and on optimizing Yelp while recognizing and optimizing Google MyBusiness." - Lance SmithManager at AnalyticTag.com
- In my experience, they both have a ton of value in terms of local SEO. @thecraigmount can really elaborate on this more.
- Yelp vs Google vs Facebook - Google still takes Yelp reviews into account in search rankings. Number of reviews, rating, and comments can make a difference in your SEO.
- 11 Things You Didn't Know About Yelp - Every Star in a Review Leads to a 5-9% Jump in Revenues.
- 5 Yelp Facts Business Owners Should Know (But Most Don’t) - The fact is that Google’s hand has been forced (literally, by Congress) to show Yelp in the search results, so they aren’t going anywhere. You should be working on a Yelp strategy if you don’t have one already.
- Why Small-Business Owners Should Love—Not Hate—Yelp - Despite all the many criticisms of Yelp, there’s one reason small-business owners should be very thankful for its existence: It makes consumers more comfortable choosing small businesses over major brands.