How to Become an Elite Member of Yelp

Co-authored by Christopher Batchelor and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References Approved

As a member of the Yelp elite squad, you’ll earn a special badge for your profile and may get invited to special events for Yelp elite members. Additionally, community members will know they can trust your ideas and insights, so your reviews may get more views. Since elite status is limited to a few Yelpers, it’s not easy to obtain. Fortunately, you can increase your chances of achieving elite status by being active on Yelp.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Creating an Authentic Profile

1
Check that you meet the requirements for being an elite member. While most users are eligible, there are a few requirements for all elite members. Yelp wants an elite squad that can provide thorough, unbiased reviews. Make sure that all of the following criteria apply to you:^{[1]
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- You’re of legal drinking age.
- You aren’t affiliated with any local businesses.
- You don’t work for a Yelp competitor.
2
Use your real name in your profile for transparency. Yelp requires that you use your actual name on your profile if you want to join the elite squad. Being open and honest about your true identity helps users trust your reviews. Enter your real first and last name on your profile page.^{[2]
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- Only your first name and last initial will show.
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3
Choose a profile picture that clearly shows your face. Posting a photo of yourself helps users identify with you. Additionally, seeing your face next to your review makes you seem more trustworthy. Pick a well-lit photo that shows off your face and your personality.^{[3]
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- For instance, you might post a photo of you at a music festival or a photo of you on a trail during a hike.
Tip: Showing off a bit of personality helps other users relate to you and may make readers enjoy your reviews more. This might help you get elite status.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Writing Reviews

1
Post a review at least once a week so your account is active. To get elite member status, you must write a lot of reviews. Additionally, you’ll need to keep your account active. However, Yelp doesn’t set a specific goal for the numbers of reviews you're expected to submit. To keep yourself on track for elite status, post a minimum of 1 review each week so you’re accumulating reviews and staying active.^{[4]
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- If your account is new, you might post more often so you can build up your review list. However, make sure all of your reviews are thorough. A handful of detailed reviews is better than a ton of short, unhelpful reviews.
2
Use descriptive and engaging writing in your reviews. Describe your experience at the business or location you’re reviewing. Provide details about the food or services, the decor, and the people who work there. Additionally, let readers see your personality so other Yelpers feel like they’re getting a review from a friend.^{[5]
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- As an example, you might write this review for a local ice cream shop: “As soon as I opened the door, the scent of strawberries, pistachios, and vanilla swept over me. An ice cream scooper named Claire gave me a warm welcome and encouraged me to sample the 9 flavors they were featuring that day. I tried the pistachio, gingerbread, and mint chip, deciding on the mint chip. My friend and I decided to eat inside the creamery because the space is so inviting. The walls are painted a pale lavender, and works by local artists are displayed in gallery-style groupings. The ice cream is to-die-for, so I’ll definitely be returning soon!”
EXPERT TIP

Christopher Batchelor
Yelp Elite Member
Christopher Batchelor has been writing reviews on Yelp since 2010. He became an Elite Member on Yelp beginning in April 2018 and he has written over 1020 reviews and uploaded over 650 photos.

Christopher Batchelor
Yelp Elite Member

Try to write thoughtful, honest reviews. Elite Yelp Member Chris Batchelor says: "It can be time-consuming to meet the qualifications to become an Elite member, because it takes a lot of quality reviews. Once they meet the requirements, though, Elite members tend to be featured closer to the top of the page on the businesses they check out, because they're trusted to review a place to the best of their ability. Also, if an Elite member asks to edit the details of a business, their edits are more likely to be approved than a normal user's."
3
Add photos after you post your reviews to make them more helpful. Reviews with photos attract more views. Additionally, other users are more likely to find your reviews helpful if you include photos. Photograph the attractive features in the establishment, as well as any products you purchase. After you post a review, add photos by going to the business or organization’s page and clicking on “add photo.” Drag the photo you want to add to the Yelp page and it will automatically upload and post to your review.^{[6]
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- Add 1-3 photos to each Yelp review.
- You don’t need to be on your review to add the photo to it. If you upload the photo to the business or organization’s page, Yelp automatically adds it to the review you submitted.
4
Review lesser-known businesses to help community members learn about them. Yelp expects their elite squad to help other community members find unique and out-of-the-way places. Visit new organizations and businesses when they open. Additionally, search for unique or off-the-beaten-path locations to review. This will make you seem like an “insider,” which could earn you elite status.^{[7]
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- For instance, you might check local news sites for press releases about business openings so you can visit in the first 2 weeks.
- Similarly, ask your friends and family members for advice about their favorite unique places to visit so you can get ideas. You might also drive or walk around your city or town looking for new places to try.
5
Follow the Yelp terms of service and content guidelines. Yelp elite squad members are held to a high standard. If you’re violating the site’s requirements, you likely won’t get awarded elite status or could lose your status after you attain it. Make sure you follow these guidelines:^{[8]
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- Post unbiased reviews that are free of promotional content.
- Keep your reviews focused on user experience, not concerns like employment practices.
- Don’t include hate speech or illicit content in your reviews.
- Protect the private information of employees and staff.
- Don’t plagiarize someone else's review.^{[9]
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6
Don’t accept gifts or freebies in exchange for a good review. While it’s okay to attend a free event for Yelp elite members, your reviews should always be fair and unbiased. Make it clear that you’ll be honest in your review before you accept free or discounted goods. Then, stick to your word so other Yelpers can trust you.^{[10]
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- Your elite status may be revoked if you’re suspected of giving good reviews in exchange for freebies.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Building Your Visibility

1
Upvote helpful reviews from other users. Look at the bottom of each review for buttons that say “useful,” “funny,” and “cool.” Use these buttons to vote on reviews you like. This will attract attention to your profile and help establish yourself as an active Yelp member.^{[11]
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- Make a habit of voting on reviews for places you visit. For instance, if you review a taco shop, read a few reviews written by other members and rate them.
2
Compliment other Yelp reviewers to make connections. Look for the comment boxes under Yelp reviews written by other members. Write kind statements in the comment boxes on reviews you find helpful. Compliment the person’s descriptive details, tips, or insight.^{[12]
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- You might write something like, “I love how you describe the interior! I’m definitely going to check this place out now,” or “Thanks for the awesome tips!”
3
Add tips to business and organization pages. In addition to writing full reviews, Yelp encourages users to offer brief tips. Use tips to give your guidance on things like the best products or services a business offers, the best time to go, or which employees to ask for. On your mobile app, visit the Yelp page for a business or organization that you are familiar with. Then, click on ... if you’re on an Apple device or Overflow if you’re using an android. Select “tip” and enter your tip.^{[13]
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- You could write a tip such as, "Arrive before 11:00 a.m. on weekends to avoid the brunch crowd," "Ask for the salsa verde instead of the salsa roja if you're ordering chicken enchiladas," or "Go on Tuesday nights if you enjoy live music."
- You can only post tips in the Yelp mobile app. However, you can edit or delete the tip from either the mobile app or the website.
4
Check in to the places you visit. Frequent check-ins show that you are active around your community. Since Yelp wants elite members to be knowledgeable about their city, this may help you gain elite status. Make a habit of checking in at the businesses and organizations you visit, even if you aren’t writing a review for that visit.^{[14]
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- As an example, you might visit the same restaurant for brunch every Sunday. You likely won’t review it every time, but it’s still helpful to check in.
5
Friend other Yelp users to build your contact network. Having friends on Yelp shows that you’re part of a larger community. To friend someone, visit their profile and click on “add friend.” The person can then “confirm” or “deny” your request. Add or accept up to 5,000 friends on Yelp.^{[15]
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- Start with people you know in real life. Additionally, you might friend people who write reviews you enjoy or who frequent the same kinds of places you like to visit.
Tip: Make a habit of welcoming new Yelp members each week.
6
Interact with your community manager. Although community managers don’t decide who gets Yelp elite status, they may be able to vouch for you. Comment on their reviews and give them compliments so they see you being active on the site or app. While there’s no guarantee this will help you get elite status, it might boost your chance.^{[16]
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- Don’t harass community managers or ask them to help you become an elite squad member. Keep your messages friendly.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Getting a Nomination

1
Log in to your Yelp account to access the nomination form. Only members can submit nominations for the Yelp elite squad. Enter your username and password to log into your account. From there, you can access the nomination form.^{[17]
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Complete the Yelp elite squad nomination form on their website. Click on the drop-down menu at the top of the form and select the city that’s closest to you. Then, enter your full name, your Yelp profile URL, and why you want to be a Yelp elite member.^{[18]
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- If you can’t find a city near you listed, you can apply to be a national Yelp elite member.
- You can find the form here: https://www.yelp.com/elite
Tip: Get creative in how you make your case for becoming a Yelp elite squad member. Write a few sentences about your passion for your community, compose a poem, or write a bullet list of your reasons. This can set you apart from other users.
3
Ask a friend to nominate you if you don’t want to do it yourself. While you can nominate yourself, you may prefer to get a friend to do it to bolster your claim that you’re influential to other community members. Talk to your friend about why earning elite status is important to you. Then, request that they fill out the nomination form on the Yelp website.^{[19]
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- Your friend can use the same form that you’d use to nominate yourself.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I request Elite membership renewal?

Jackline Wangai

Community Answer

Elite members are chosen every year, therefore you have to reapply every year. Make sure you remain relevant throughout the year with your interactions.