Last Updated on July 10, 2025 by Allen
How To Avoid The Yelp Review Filter
Are you frustrated by your customers’ reviews getting filtered out by Yelp’s review filter? It’s a common problem that can hinder your business’s reputation and growth.
But don’t worry, here are 9 steps that you and your customers can take to increase the chances of your Yelp reviews making it through. Let’s start with three things that you can do as a business owner.
What Businesses Can Do
These first three measures below are actions businesses can take to ensure that their customers’ reviews do not get caught in Yelp’s review filters:
1. Add Reviewer as a Friend
As a business, you can add the reviewer as a friend on Yelp. By doing so, the reviewer’s reviews are more likely to be seen as genuine and not fake or spammy, and thus more likely to make it through Yelp’s review filters.
2. Upvote the Review
Businesses can upvote the reviews that they find funny, useful, cool, or otherwise engaging. This helps to show Yelp’s algorithm that the review is not only genuine but also relevant and helpful to other users.
3. Send a Compliment
Business owners can use Yelp’s “compliment” feature to send the reviewer a positive message. This feature allows other Yelpers to call out a user for an awesome review, and it helps to establish a stronger connection between the business and the reviewer. By doing so, the review is more likely to be seen as genuine and thus less likely to be caught in Yelp’s review filters.
What Customers Can Do
Here are six actions that you, as a customer, can take to ensure that your review doesn’t get filtered out by Yelp’s review filters:
4. Write Lots of Yelp Reviews
If someone’s account has been made just to review one restaurant or business, that brings up some serious red flags for Yelp. The more reviews you write, the more authentic you seem. At least 10 reviews will make you much less likely to sound the Yelp review filter alarm. Make sure your reviews are legitimate, though – you should use the range of 1-5 stars. Writing all fantastic or all terrible reviews looks suspicious.
5. Fill Out Your Profile
Filling out your profile with profile pictures, a personal description, and other relevant information can help establish your credibility as a reviewer. This can make it less likely for Yelp’s filters to flag your review as suspicious or fake.
6. Connect Your Social Accounts
Connecting your Yelp account to other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter can provide an additional level of authenticity. When your Yelp reviews are linked to your other social media profiles, it can increase your perceived trustworthiness and legitimacy as a reviewer. This can also make it less likely for your reviews to get filtered out by Yelp’s review filters.
7. Add Yelp Friends
Add friends to Yelp and interact with them by complimenting, voting their reviews as funny, etc. Your engagement with other users shows that you’re a real user who is part of the Yelp community.
8. Leave Tips
Tips are for users to add a quick, pithy statement when they check in somewhere using the Yelp mobile app. Leaving tips in addition to your review shows your full range of motion as an online user.
9. Be Consistent
Don’t just blast a hundred reviews in the span of a few days. Take the time to strengthen your reputation by reviewing various local businesses over several weeks or months.
Watch this video on how the Yelp review filter works…
Conclusion: Don’t Fear Yelp—Understand the Yelp Review Filter and Make It Work for You
While Yelp can seem intimidating with its vocal users and the mysterious Yelp review filter, it’s truly a powerful platform for local businesses. In fact, nearly 70% of Yelp reviews are 4 or 5 stars—proof that most Yelpers just want to support great local businesses like yours.
The key is understanding how the Yelp review filter works, how to earn and keep authentic reviews visible, and how to respond thoughtfully to criticism. When approached strategically, Yelp can become a trusted ally in helping you attract more customers and boost your reputation.
Need guidance navigating Yelp and its review filter? Schedule a consultation with Review Dingo today to start turning reviews into real business growth.
