To review on Yelp, sign in, open the business page, tap “Write a Review,” rate, add honest details and photos, then publish.
New to Yelp and want to share your take on a local spot? This guide walks you through posting a useful review, keeping it fair, and getting it live without snags. You’ll see the steps on desktop and phone, what the stars mean, what content sticks, and how to edit or remove your own review later. Clear, fast, and practical—so you can post with confidence.
How To Post A Yelp Review: Start To Finish
Here’s the basic flow that works the same on desktop and the mobile app. The wording of buttons may vary a little, yet the core steps match everywhere.
- Create an account or sign in.
- Search for the business by name and city, then open its page.
- Select “Write a Review.”
- Pick a star rating from one to five.
- Type your review with clear details about your visit.
- Add photos or a short video if it helps readers.
- Press “Post.”
Quick Platform Guide
Most actions appear on both desktop and the app. This table gives you a fast snapshot so you can pick the easiest route.
| Task | Desktop Web | Yelp App (iOS/Android) |
|---|---|---|
| Start a new review | Business page → “Write a Review” | Business page → “Write a Review” |
| Add photos/video | Upload on the review form | Use the camera or gallery picker |
| Edit your own review | Profile → Reviews → Edit | Profile → Reviews → Edit |
| Remove your own review | Profile → Reviews → Remove | Profile → Reviews → Remove |
| Report someone else’s content | Three dots → Report | Flag icon → Report |
Desktop Steps With Handy Tips
Find The Right Page
Type the business name and city in the search bar. Watch for duplicates or old addresses. Pick the page that matches the current address and category.
Open The Review Form
Click “Write a Review.” A form opens with star icons, a text box, and an option to upload photos. If you see a prompt to sign in, log in and you’ll return to the form automatically.
Fill Out The Details
- Stars first: Choose one to five.
- Lead with the headline: Start your first sentence with the standout detail readers care about.
- Keep it personal: Describe what you ordered or requested, who helped you, and timing.
- Add pictures: Upload sharp, well-lit shots that show what you received.
Mobile App Steps That Save Time
Open the app, find the business, and tap “Write a Review.” The flow mirrors desktop. The camera icon lets you snap a quick photo or pick from your gallery. If you’re short on time, draft a few lines, add one great photo, and post. You can edit later from your profile.
Write A Review That Helps Readers
People scan for specifics. Short, concrete details beat general praise or venting. Aim for a tight story: where you sat, what you ordered or requested, names of staff if relevant, wait times, price points, noise level, parking, and anything that would change a decision for the next person.
Star Ratings, Decoded
- 1 star: A poor visit with problems that weren’t fixed.
- 2 stars: Mixed issues that outweighed the good.
- 3 stars: Average visit; a balance of highs and lows.
- 4 stars: Strong visit with minor gaps.
- 5 stars: Excellent visit you’d repeat.
Simple Review Template You Can Reuse
Steal this outline when you’re in a hurry. Swap the parts to match any service or shop.
- Context: Date, time, and the occasion (weekday lunch, oil change, hair trim).
- What you got: Items or services ordered, who helped you.
- Standouts: Two positives worth calling out.
- Gaps: One or two misses, with neutral wording.
- Bottom line: Would you return, and who would like this place.
Make Photos And Video Work For You
Visuals help readers verify your claims—plate size, portion count, product finish, or before-and-after results. Keep shots sharp and well-lit. Skip faces unless you have consent. Menu close-ups, receipts with personal info, and medical documents are a bad idea; keep private details out of frame. See the official photo and video rules in Yelp’s content policies if you’re unsure.
What Yelp Expects From Review Content
Yelp asks for first-hand, unbiased experiences with no personal attacks, no hate speech, and no review swaps. Don’t review your own workplace. Don’t paste promos or codes into a review. Keep each post tied to a single visit or service window, not a running diary across months. You can read the full content guidelines for more detail.
Proof You Visited: What Counts
Staff names, items ordered, service dates, and specifics about the location build trust. If you mention a refund or a chat with a manager, add concise details so readers can follow the timeline. You don’t need to attach a receipt, yet accurate facts make your review harder to dismiss.
Fixes: Edit, Update, Or Remove Your Review
Plans change. Maybe you returned and had a better time, or a repair was completed under warranty. Instead of stacking new posts, update the original with a fresh paragraph at the top marked with the date. If you wrote in haste, edit for tone and clarity. If you want the post gone, you can remove your own review from your profile’s Reviews tab. Here’s the official page that explains how to start a review and manage your posts: write a review.
When Your Review Doesn’t Show Up
Sometimes a new account’s post gets placed in the “not currently recommended” section. This happens when the system isn’t sure it can vouch for the account yet. Keep things real: fill out your profile, add a few thoughtful reviews over time, and avoid any asks from businesses to post on command.
Ethics: What To Avoid
- No hate speech, threats, or slurs.
- No claims about private individuals.
- Skip full names unless it’s a public-facing manager or owner.
- No coupons, referral links, or affiliate codes inside reviews.
- Never accept freebies or discounts tied to posting a review.
Example: A Tight, Helpful Review
“Saturday 1 pm, table for two. We split the chicken sandwich and a salad; food arrived in 12 minutes. Brianna refilled drinks twice without being asked. Fries were crisp, salad dressing needed seasoning. Check was $28 before tip. We’ll come back for the sandwich and patio seating.”
Troubleshooting Common Snags
You Can’t Find The “Write A Review” Button
Check that you’re on the right business page and signed in. Some categories show “Start Order,” “Request A Quote,” or “Check-in” first; scroll a little and the review button appears near the top of the page next to the star rating.
Your Review Was Removed
Posts that break rules can be taken down. If you think there’s been a mistake, open your profile, find the review, and try editing for neutral tone and facts. Remove personal insults and hearsay. Re-post with cleaner wording and specifics tied to a single visit.
Legal And Safety Checks
Stick to first-hand facts. If you share images, strip out addresses, phone numbers, or order codes that identify you. When describing health, childcare, or legal services, keep claims careful and grounded in what you personally saw or received. If the situation involves harassment, injury, or discrimination, you can file a report with local authorities and use the platform’s report tools as well.
What Helps A Review Get Read
- Lead with a headline: Start with the standout point in the first sentence.
- Write for scanners: Short paragraphs with crisp details.
- Cut fluff: Every sentence should add value.
- Balance: Praise and gaps in the same review reads fair.
- Proofread: Fix typos and numbers before you post.
Policy Snapshot: What’s Allowed And What Isn’t
This table summarizes common do’s and don’ts. When in doubt, keep your review about a single visit, use your own photos, and skip anything that looks like an ad.
| Topic | Allowed | Not Allowed / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-hand experience | Yes—describe your own visit | Reviews for someone else |
| Conflicts of interest | Neutral customer views | Your own job, clients, or competitors |
| Promos or links | None in the review text | Coupons, referral links, or ads |
| Private info | General descriptions | Full names, addresses, or IDs |
| Hate speech | Zero tolerance | Slurs or threats |
| Photos | Your original images | Faces without consent; documents with personal data |
| Multiple visits | Update the same post | Serial reviews about the same place |
Edit, Update, Or Remove: Step-By-Step
Edit Your Own Review
- Open your profile and go to the Reviews tab.
- Find the post and choose Edit (pencil icon).
- Revise text, adjust stars if needed, and save.
Update After A Second Visit
- Add a new paragraph at the top with the visit date.
- Summarize what changed: wait times, service fix, price adjustment.
- Keep the original text so readers see the history.
Remove Your Own Review
- Open your profile → Reviews.
- Select the trash icon and confirm.
- The post disappears from the main page after processing.
Fairness Tips Businesses Respect
- Stick to what happened to you; skip rumors and second-hand stories.
- Comment on a fix if the team made it right on the spot.
- Don’t post while angry; draft, breathe, then finish.
- Give enough detail so a manager can act on it later.
Why Some Reviews Don’t Appear Up Front
Yelp uses automated systems to surface reviews it believes are the most reliable. Brand-new accounts, blank profiles, or posts that look requested can be placed in a separate area. Keep posting honest, grounded notes and that track record builds over time.
Fast Tips You’ll Use Often
- Naming staff: First names for public-facing roles are fine; skip full names unless the person is a public representative.
- Requests from businesses: Shops are told not to ask for reviews. Decline perks tied to posting.
- Reporting content: Use the three dots on desktop or the flag on the app and add a short reason tied to a rule.
Bottom Line For Posting A Useful Yelp Review
Keep it first-hand, specific, and balanced. Share one visit, list concrete details, add a couple of sharp photos, and keep your tone fair. With those habits, your post helps neighbors decide—and it stands a better chance of being seen.