from Hacker News

Everybody gets a star: Yelp's effect on restaurants and reviews

by jseliger on 8/6/24, 12:03 AM with 65 comments

• by jader201 on 8/6/24, 4:29 AM

  I guess I’m in the minority, but I can’t remember the last time I used Yelp to find restaurants. It’s been obvious for years (it feels like at least 10, maybe more) that they can’t be trusted.

  I’m actually surprised they still get enough traffic to be sustainable.

• by tayo42 on 8/6/24, 4:19 AM

  somehow tabelog seems pretty legit compared to yelp. maybe there are issues in the japanese bubbles idk about and cant participate in. but on a trip to japan following that site led me to some amazing meals.

  Some of these problems seems like the cause is because its hard to complain in person. I guess we all get labeled "karens" now for showing any kind of negative feedback in person, so we just suck it up and never go back and maybe leave a negative review.

  i dont really rely on yelp, there's to many people with poor to average taste. google maps is ok, but same issue with taste. like the complaints people leave on some top tier restaurants are crazy.

  eater has led me to some great restaurants locally and abroad. when traveling ill look at travel and food shows, or look and see whats busy, get local recommendations. one of my most memorable meals in bali was a rec from a kid working a cash register.

• by fire_lake on 8/6/24, 6:29 AM

  The only way to find places is word of mouth from people who have no stake in the venue. This is the only signal not being gamed.

• by nunez on 8/6/24, 2:39 PM

  The reviewer that removed star ratings in their reviews is onto something.

  The most "real" reviews for restaurants right now is from city subreddits, of all places. Many of these suggestions are from people who live in the city instead of tourists who don't typically eat out (and have unrealistic expectations) or chronic reviewers who must be seen (I was one of them).

  Adding stars or grades opens the door for gamification and petty tyrants who want to see businesses burn.

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• by inlined on 8/6/24, 4:54 AM

  Can we either remove the subtitle that’s not in the article or s/affect/effect?

• by crngefest on 8/6/24, 6:36 AM

  I have never used Yelp before and it has never played any role in my life.

  Must be an North American thing

• by gamblor956 on 8/6/24, 2:58 PM

  I know its popular to rag on Yelp in tech circles, but Yelp is still immensely popular amongst everyone else.

  It's the same reason that Meta is still raking in billions a year despite nobody in the tech community using it.