Do People Still Use Yelp in 2025?
Short answer: Yes—but not in the same way as before.
While Yelp is no longer the only place people go for business reviews, millions still use it—especially for restaurants, salons, and local services. In 2025, Yelp remains a relevant platform, but its role has evolved.
Let's explore how Yelp is being used today, who's still using it, and what this means for your business.
Is Yelp Still Relevant in 2025?
Yelp isn't dead. In fact, it still receives over 70 million monthly users. But it now competes with more platforms than ever:
| Platform | Used for |
|---|---|
| Yelp | Detailed reviews & local search |
| Google Maps | Quick discovery, directions, instant info |
| TikTok | Visual recommendations, trend-driven food spots |
| Visual content, "aesthetic" appeal | |
| Social recommendations from friends |
Yelp remains strong in search engine results, often ranking on the first page for "[business name] reviews." That alone makes it worth maintaining.
Who Still Uses Yelp?
Yelp's core users in 2025 are:
- Urban professionals looking for high-quality, reliable businesses
- Foodies and regular diners who enjoy writing reviews
- Homeowners searching for trustworthy local contractors or repair services
- Tourists who prefer curated lists and filters (e.g., "open now," "vegetarian")
Many users still see Yelp as more detailed and trustworthy than quick 1-liner reviews on Google.
What Yelp Is Best For in 2025
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Bars & Nightlife
- Spas, Salons & Beauty Services
- Home Services (plumbers, cleaners, etc.)
- Pet Services & Groomers
These industries tend to get the most traffic and customer engagement on Yelp. If you're in one of them, Yelp should still be part of your marketing mix.
Pros and Cons of Yelp in 2025
✅ Pros:
- Still ranks well in Google search
- Trusted by many loyal users
- Great for detailed customer feedback
- Helps with local SEO and reputation
❌ Cons:
- Aggressive advertising sales
- Difficult review filter algorithm
- Less popular among younger Gen Z users
- Reviews can't be directly requested (violates policy)
How Yelp Compares to Other Platforms in 2025
| Feature | Yelp | Google Maps | TikTok/Instagram |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEO visibility | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ❌ (limited) |
| Review depth | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ | ❌ |
| Business discovery | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ |
| Content style | Text-heavy | Mixed | Visual-first |
| Gen Z appeal | ❌ | ✅ | ✅✅✅ |
Should Your Business Still Be on Yelp?
Yes—especially if you're in food, services, or beauty.
Even if most of your leads come from Google or TikTok, a polished Yelp page helps you look legitimate. Plus, a few good Yelp reviews often appear in search results when people Google your name.
💡 Think of Yelp as your "online resume." You might not use it daily, but others definitely check it.
Final Thoughts
So, do people still use Yelp in 2025? Absolutely. It's no longer the only game in town, but it's still trusted, widely used, and influential in local business decisions. Smart businesses treat Yelp as part of a multi-channel presence—not the whole strategy, but a crucial piece.
Make sure your Yelp profile is up to date, encourage (but don't pressure) happy customers to leave reviews, and monitor your reputation. The payoff? More trust, better search visibility, and more customers.