Yelp reviewer being crowned for popularity

Decoding Yelp: Can Reviews Predict a Reviewer's Popularity?

Samir D’Costa in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 3 min read.

"Unveiling the Secrets to Influence in the World of Online Recommendations"

In the vast landscape of online recommendations, choosing the right voices to trust can feel overwhelming. Sites like Booking, TripAdvisor, and Yelp offer a plethora of reviews, but consumers often rely on specific reviewers to guide their purchasing decisions. These reviewers become influential figures within their communities, co-creating value and shaping opinions.

A recent study highlights the key factors consumers consider when reading online reviews: overall rating (66%), the ratio of positive to negative reviews (63%), and the level of detail (62%). Reviewer status (40%) also plays a significant role, indicating that credibility and trust are crucial for effective recommendations.

This article delves into a research note exploring the antecedents of fandom on Yelp, specifically investigating whether the content of a reviewer's messages can predict their future popularity. By analyzing 27,097 tips written by 16,334 Yelp users, the study uncovers valuable insights into what makes a reviewer influential.

The Recipe for Yelp Fame: What Kind of Tips Attract Followers?

Yelp reviewer being crowned for popularity

The study employs text mining and a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to analyze the relationship between the content of Yelp tips and the number of fans a reviewer accumulates. Unlike regular reviews, Yelp tips are short, real-time opinions often written using the platform's smartphone application.

The results reveal that tips that help consumers avoid negative experiences and those that highlight positive aspects of a service are most effective in predicting the number of fans. This suggests that consumers value practical advice and positive reinforcement when seeking recommendations.

Avoidance Advice: Tips that warn users about potential pitfalls or negative aspects of a service.
Positive Highlights: Tips that emphasize the positive qualities and enjoyable elements of a service.
Customer Service Mentions: Tips mentioning staff, service quality, and wait times.

The power of 'Bad','Don't' and 'Closed' may also serve as strong indicators of credibility. A tip mentioning 'bad service' gets more attraction from consumers.

Turning Insights into Action: How Businesses Can Benefit

These findings offer valuable insights for businesses looking to enhance their online presence and reputation. By understanding which types of messages resonate with consumers, managers can develop strategies to engage with reviewers, address concerns, and highlight positive aspects of their services. Actively monitoring and responding to tips, especially those offering negative feedback, can demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction and improve overall brand perception. In addition the algorithm can be used to determine which reviewers could benefit from collaborations and or offers.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.tmp.2017.08.006, Alternate LINK

Title: Are Yelp'S Tips Helpful In Building Influential Consumers?

Subject: Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

Journal: Tourism Management Perspectives

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: João Guerreiro, Sérgio Moro

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does Yelp determine a reviewer's popularity?

The study analyzes the connection between the content of a reviewer's messages, particularly their tips, and the number of fans they have. By utilizing text mining and a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, the research examines which tip characteristics correlate with a higher number of followers, thus indicating popularity on the platform. Key aspects such as 'Avoidance Advice', 'Positive Highlights', and 'Customer Service Mentions' were found to be key indicators.

What role do Yelp tips play in determining a reviewer's influence?

Yelp tips, which are short, real-time opinions often written via the platform's smartphone application, are crucial in this process. The study specifically analyzes 27,097 tips written by 16,334 Yelp users to understand what message types resonate with consumers. Tips offering 'Avoidance Advice' (warnings about negative experiences), 'Positive Highlights' (emphasizing positive aspects), and 'Customer Service Mentions' all contribute to a reviewer's perceived credibility and influence, affecting their fan base.

Why is it important for businesses to monitor and respond to Yelp tips, especially negative ones?

Businesses should monitor and respond to Yelp tips because this demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction, which can improve overall brand perception. Actively addressing negative feedback, such as those offering 'Avoidance Advice', showcases a dedication to resolving issues. The algorithm can be used to determine which reviewers could benefit from collaborations and or offers. Understanding and engaging with the concerns and suggestions of reviewers can enhance a business's reputation and attract more customers.

What are the key factors that consumers consider when reading online reviews on Yelp?

Consumers primarily consider the overall rating (66%), the ratio of positive to negative reviews (63%), and the level of detail provided in the reviews (62%). Reviewer status (40%) also plays a significant role, showing that the credibility and trustworthiness of the reviewer are critical for effective recommendations. These factors collectively guide consumers in making informed purchasing decisions on platforms like Yelp.

How can businesses use this information to improve their online presence?

Businesses can utilize the study's findings by understanding the types of messages that resonate most with consumers on Yelp. They can engage with reviewers, address concerns, and highlight the positive aspects of their services. By monitoring and responding to tips, especially those providing 'Avoidance Advice', businesses can show their commitment to customer satisfaction and enhance their overall brand perception. The algorithm can also be used to identify reviewers who could benefit from collaborations or offers, boosting their online presence and reputation.