If you’ve ever received a glowing review from a client only to find it mysteriously vanished or never appeared, you might be wondering, “Why is Yelp filtering reviews?” This can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re hoping to increase your Yelp review rating. Understanding why Yelp filters reviews can help clarify the situation and ensure your future reviews have the best chance of being seen.
Yelp’s Review Filtering System
Yelp uses an automated system to filter reviews, aiming to provide reliable and unbiased recommendations for its users. The primary reason for filtering reviews is to prevent spam, fake reviews, and biased opinions that could mislead consumers.
If you want to watch a video that Yelp published regarding this topic. Please find it
HERE.
Why is Yelp Filtering Reviews?
As annoying as it might seem. Yelp does clearly have a system in place to help its users have a more reliable experience when searching for a business.
Yelp employs an automated system to sift through reviews striving to offer reliable and neutral suggestions for its users. Its main goal in filtering reviews is to block spam counterfeit reviews, and partial opinions that could deceive consumers. Take a peek at the functioning of this system:
1. Algorithm-Based Filtering
Yelp’s algorithm for filtering reviews is crafted to spot and conceal reviews that could be fake or not trustworthy. This algorithm looks at various aspects including:
- Reviewer’s Activity: Yelp filters out posts from less active reviewers since they have less credibility. The platform has more trust in active users who post often.
- Review Patterns: An unusual spike in reviews over a brief time might cause Yelp’s algorithm to see these as doubtful.
- Content Quality: Reviews that lack depth, seem too promotional, or are very brief often get filtered out.
2. Preventing Manipulation
Yelp aims to stop businesses from altering their ratings with false reviews. Some businesses could try to lift their scores by writing their own glowing reviews or hurting rivals with negative ones. This filtering keeps Yelp’s review system honest.
3. User Trustworthiness
New users or those lacking a profile picture, a full profile, or a history of activity on Yelp tend to get their reviews filtered more often. Developing a trustworthy profile with regular activity can make your reviews more visible.
Why Are Your Reviews Filtered?
Even legitimate reviews can sometimes get caught in Yelp’s filter. Here are a few common reasons this might happen:
1. Lack of Activity
If a new profile leaves a review or doesn’t frequently leave reviews, the review might be seen as less trustworthy.
2. Incomplete Profile
A profile without a picture, bio, or other completed details can look suspicious to Yelp’s algorithm.
3. Review Content
If a review is short, lacks specifics, or seems overly promotional, it might be filtered out. Detailed, genuine reviews are more likely to pass the filter.
4. Sudden Activity Spike
If there is a student jump in many reviews for the same business around the same time, Yelp might see this as a coordinated effort, which could trigger the filter.
We hope this article helps you, as a business owner, understand why Yelp’s algorithm will filter some review and not others. Need help with your Yelp portfolio? We got you covered!
Click here.
