You can read Yelp reviews on the web or in the app by opening a business page and using sort, filters, and photos for context.
New to Yelp or just need a fast refresher? This guide shows the quickest ways to open a business page, read the most useful feedback, sort reviews by what matters to you, and spot the “not currently recommended” section many people miss. You’ll learn the taps and clicks for desktop, iPhone, and Android, plus a few pro tips to get more signal and less noise.
Ways To View Yelp Reviews On Any Device
Every path starts the same way: search for a place, open its page, then move through the review tools. The table below maps the fastest route on each platform.
| Platform | Fast Path To Reviews | Extras Worth Using |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Web | Search → Open business → Scroll to “Recommended Reviews.” | Change sort; filter by rating; view photos; mark “Useful/Funny/Cool.” |
| iPhone (iOS) | Open app → Search → Business → “Reviews” tab or section. | Quick filters; tap photos; swipe to see recent tips and updates. |
| Android | Open app → Search → Business → “Reviews.” | Sort controls; photo carousel; share a review link with friends. |
| Shared Tools | Use sort menu for “Newest,” “Highest,” “Lowest,” or “Elite.” | Open “other reviews that are not currently recommended.” |
Open A Business Page Fast
Speed matters when you just want the truth about a place. Here’s the quickest route on each platform.
Desktop: The One-Minute Method
- Go to yelp.com and enter the business name and city in the search bar.
- Click the correct listing to open its page. You’ll land near photos and the rating.
- Scroll to the “Recommended Reviews” block. That’s where reading starts, with sort and filter tools nearby.
iPhone: Quick Taps
- Open the Yelp app and search for a place.
- Tap the business result. The page shows photos, rating, and a “Reviews” section.
- Tap “Reviews” to load more and reveal sort options.
Android: Same Steps, Slightly Different Labels
- Launch the Yelp app and search by name or category.
- Choose the business. Scroll to the “Reviews” area.
- Use the sort menu and quick filters to refine what you see.
Make The Most Of Sort And Filters
Yelp’s default order isn’t simply newest-first. It favors reviews that help readers make a decision, mixing recency with quality signals and votes from other users. If you want fresh comments first, switch the sort to “Newest.” Need to stress-test a place? Sort by “Lowest” to scan pain points. When you want polished write-ups, choose “Elite.”
When To Use Each Sort
- Newest: Great for checking recent service changes, new staff, or a menu overhaul.
- Highest: Useful when you’re screening top dishes or standout providers.
- Lowest: Handy for spotting recurring issues with wait times, billing, or cleanliness.
- Elite: Helpful when you want longer, detailed accounts from power users.
Pair Reviews With Photos
Photos add context. Tap image thumbnails inside the review stream to see portion sizes, plating, or before-and-after shots for services. That visual pass saves time and keeps you from misreading an outlier rating.
Find The “Not Currently Recommended” Section
Many readers never scroll far enough to see this link. On desktop and in the app, look near the end of the review stack for a small gray line that mentions “other reviews that are not currently recommended.” Open it to view a separate list, plus a short video explaining why these posts sit off the main feed. The business’s star rating and review count don’t include this section.
Why Some Posts Don’t Show Up In The Main List
Yelp’s software tests signals around reviewer activity and usefulness. Reviews from less active accounts, short write-ups, or posts with limited signals may land in that secondary list. That system is automated; staff don’t flip a switch to move posts in or out.
How To Read That Hidden List Well
- Scan for specific details: dates, names, or order numbers.
- Weigh patterns, not one-offs. A single short rant tells you less than five similar notes over months.
- Cross-check with the main feed to see whether issues were fixed later.
Trust But Verify: Simple Checks That Save Time
Review sites work best when you combine different signals. Here are quick checks that keep your read balanced:
- Look at the curve: A mix of 3-, 4-, and 5-star posts often beats a wall of perfect scores.
- Check dates: If strong praise is old and recent posts share the same complaint, plan accordingly.
- Open photos and captions: Visuals ground the story.
- Skim owner replies: Clear, specific replies with fixes add context for future visits.
iPhone And Android Tips
Reading on the go? The mobile app puts reviews, photos, and quick filters within a couple of taps. If you don’t have the app yet, you can grab it from the official stores. The Yelp app on iOS and the Yelp app on Google Play both list features for finding places and reading feedback.
Save Time With Smart Gestures
- Use the search box on the home tab; type a place name and the city.
- On a business page, tap “Reviews” to jump straight to the stream.
- Use the sort menu to switch to “Newest” when you want the latest visit reports.
Read Reviews Like A Pro
Once you’re in the review stack, a few habits make the read cleaner and faster.
Scan Patterns Before You Decide
Star ratings alone can hide context. Ten four-star posts that praise the same dish carry more weight than one low score with no details. Sort by lowest when you want to hunt for recurring issues, then switch back to newest to confirm whether things improved later.
Use Elite Posts For Depth
Elite members tend to write longer entries with photos. Reading a couple of those gives you a clearer sense of service flow, peak hours, and staff knowledge. The Elite sort surfaces that set when you want nuance over speed.
Where Filters And Hidden Sections Live
Controls move a bit between web and mobile, but the logic stays the same. Use this table to know where to tap or click when you want a specific view.
| What You Want | Where To Find It | What It Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Newest Reviews | Sort menu → “Newest.” | Most recent visits first, handy for policy or menu changes. |
| Lowest Rated | Sort menu → “Lowest.” | Quick scan of pain points and recurring issues. |
| Elite Writers | Sort menu → “Elites.” | Longer, detailed posts with photos and specifics. |
| Not Currently Recommended | End of reviews → gray link with that label. | Separate list outside the main star average; includes an explainer video. |
| How The Order Works | Help page that explains default order. | Mix of recency and quality signals, plus friend/follow cues. |
Reading With Confidence
Online feedback helps most when you understand how it’s sorted and why some posts sit on a separate page. Yelp’s help pages outline that logic, and the platforms keep pushing for cleaner review ecosystems. If you care about the integrity of what you’re reading, review order and the “not currently recommended” list are the two places to spend time.
Signal Boosters That Matter
- Recency + detail: A recent, descriptive post with photos often beats a vague five-star from years ago.
- Volume by category: Restaurants, salons, auto shops, and clinics each show patterns you can spot with a quick sort change.
- Owner follow-through: A concrete fix or policy update in a reply is a strong trust cue.
Quick Troubleshooting
If the mobile app won’t load reviews, update it from the store and try again over Wi-Fi. Reinstall only if needed. If a business page looks empty, check that you’re on the right city and that spelling matches the posted name. When you still can’t find what you need, the Help Center has plain-language explainers for review order and the recommended system.
Ethics: Why Clean Reviews Matter
Fake praise and paid takedowns hurt readers and honest companies. Regulators have moved against the buying and selling of fake reviews, with strong penalties for schemes that try to game public feedback. Reading with a bit of healthy scrutiny—checks on dates, patterns, and owner replies—keeps your choices grounded.
Your Action Plan
- Open the business page on Yelp (web or app).
- Switch the sort to match your goal: Newest for recency, Lowest for risk checks, Elite for depth.
- Scan photos tied to reviews to confirm claims.
- Open the “not currently recommended” link for extra context.
- Decide with patterns, not a single post.
Handy Links
If you want the official word on how review order and the recommended system work, read Yelp’s own explainers. The help article on review order covers default sorting and the “Newest/Highest/Lowest/Elites” options, and the page on recommended reviews explains the separate list and why it sits outside the main average.