Yelp Elite Squad

What is the Yelp Elite Squad?

The Yelp Elite Squad is our way of recognizing some of our most active and influential members, both on and off the site. Yelp Elites are the kind of people who love to share their opinions on everything in their local community, from restaurants and boutiques to dive bars and tattoo parlors, and everything in between. When active on our Talk Boards they choose intelligent wit over base humor. When they write reviews, they're a mix of good humor, useful information, personal experiences and insider tips (sort of like the combined power of the best boy band), and they realize the importance of writing fairly and with accountability.

How Do I Become a Member of the Yelp Elite Squad?

Are you the kind of person who always knows about the newest bars and restaurants? Do your friends always turn to you for advice on where to shop or where to find that perfect gift for someone? Do you love to spread the word about the things you love or hate in your city? Well, if you answered YES to any of these questions, then you may just have what it takes to be a part of the Yelp Elite Squad!

If you think you or someone you know fits the bill, then go ahead and send an email with subject line "Yelp Elite Squad" to the Yelp city email address at the bottom of this page, along with a link your Personalized Yelp URL. In your message, include a quick sentence or three about why you think you have what it takes to be Elite! Two bonus points for following directions.

For those of you taking notes, here are some of the qualities that make someone eligible for Elite status...

• Applicants always have lots of reviews of great local businesses and services, but more importantly the Yelp members who get in are known for having reviews that are insightful, irreverent and personal (aka useful, funny and cool!).
• Profiles that really sing! Not literally of course, but we are looking for yelpers that have personality. Yelp's not just a city guide, it's a community and the more people can relate to you, the more your reviews and opinions start to matter.
• Pictures people, pictures! In order to apply for Elite status you have to put a real photo of yourself on your profile! The beauty of Yelp is that it's made up of Real People writing Real Reviews, and by having an actual photo up, your words carry more weight!
• Yelp Eliters use their real name! We know nicknames and secret identities are fun and all, but if you want to make it into the Elite, we need to know that you are legit, and will stand by your opinionated opinions.
• Personal pizazz! Even after all this, we look for a certain je ne sais quoi—we call it Yelpitude. To paraphrase Supreme Court Justice James Stewart when defining pornography in a case about obscenity, "Yelp Elite is hard to define, but we 'know it when we see it.'"

So what do you think? Do you have what it takes to rock the cradle of Yelp Eliteness? Then what are you waiting for? Sidle up to the velvet rope and be sure to wink at the doorman!

We're thrilled that so many people are interested in being part of the Yelp Elite Squad, but to that end, we do tend to get bogged down at times. Thanks in advance for your patience, and the National Elite Committee will be sure to let you know if you're ready for the Squad within the next few weeks!

Also, please note that you must be 21 and over to be in the Squad, sorry kids! And if you are a business owner or affiliated with a local business (spouse, general manager, partner, etc.), we unfortunately can't invite you to join the ranks of the Elite because it presents a conflict of interest.

Past Yelp Event Snapshots