07 April 2010 | Author: J. Morton News Editor
The site, which originated in San Francisco, allows users to anonymously rate and review local businesses - from eateries and pubs to major attractions - and has come under fire for allowing advertisers to choose their featured review on the results pages.
In response, CEO Jeremy Stoppelman has stated that Yelp - which lists businesses throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland - will no longer allow such practices. Changes to be implemented will also include allowing the site's visitors to view content weeded out as suspect by specialised software.
The decision is in direct response to the several small US businesses from across the nation who banded together for a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging they were extorting money through advertising.
In an effort to maintain impartiality, Yelp has discontinued the practice to "make it even more clear that Yelp treats review content equally for all businesses, with no connection between advertising and reviews," according to Stoppleman.
"Lifting the veil on our review filter and doing away with "Favorite Review" will make it even clearer that displayed reviews on Yelp are completely independent of advertising -- or any sort of manipulation," Stoppleman continued in a blog posting.
However, this concession was not without a bit of a finger-wagging warning, as he continued: "Now you can take a look at any business listing on Yelp and see for yourself the work the review filter has done behind the scenes. Perhaps helping to protect one business from malicious reviews that might stem from a competitor."
The businesses seeking action from Yelp have welcomed the move.
As reported in The Times, Jared Beck, one of the attorneys for the lawsuit, said the changes were "an important first step in the right direction for the thousands of businesses who have seen their livelihoods trampled or threatened by Yelp's extortionate practices."
Yelp cedes to small businesses' complaints
Consumer review website Yelp has decided to review its policies in response to allegations of favouritism lodged by small businesses featured on its pages.The site, which originated in San Francisco, allows users to anonymously rate and review local businesses - from eateries and pubs to major attractions - and has come under fire for allowing advertisers to choose their featured review on the results pages.
In response, CEO Jeremy Stoppelman has stated that Yelp - which lists businesses throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland - will no longer allow such practices. Changes to be implemented will also include allowing the site's visitors to view content weeded out as suspect by specialised software.
The decision is in direct response to the several small US businesses from across the nation who banded together for a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging they were extorting money through advertising.
In an effort to maintain impartiality, Yelp has discontinued the practice to "make it even more clear that Yelp treats review content equally for all businesses, with no connection between advertising and reviews," according to Stoppleman.
"Lifting the veil on our review filter and doing away with "Favorite Review" will make it even clearer that displayed reviews on Yelp are completely independent of advertising -- or any sort of manipulation," Stoppleman continued in a blog posting.
However, this concession was not without a bit of a finger-wagging warning, as he continued: "Now you can take a look at any business listing on Yelp and see for yourself the work the review filter has done behind the scenes. Perhaps helping to protect one business from malicious reviews that might stem from a competitor."
The businesses seeking action from Yelp have welcomed the move.
As reported in The Times, Jared Beck, one of the attorneys for the lawsuit, said the changes were "an important first step in the right direction for the thousands of businesses who have seen their livelihoods trampled or threatened by Yelp's extortionate practices."
English
German/Deutsch
Norwegian/Norsk
Swedish/Svenska
Italian/Italiano
French/Français
Spanish/Español
Latest News
RSS News Feeds
Related Articles
Tags
