A huge congratulations and a giant handful of virtual confetti; You made the Yelp Elite Squad! You’re officially part of your community’s best writers, photographers, and local experts. We are so glad that you’re here!
Whether this is just the start of your Elite journey or you’re re-joining us after a little hiatus, we could all use a little brush up on what the Elite Squad is all about. We’ve compiled a few frequently asked questions for you below.
What does it mean to be Elite?
Elite life is about celebrating your rad community, supporting awesome local businesses, and helping others discover hidden gems. Being an Elite member means you were chosen for your positivity, helpful contributions, and general role model awesomeness on Yelp. You rock!
Are members of the Yelp Elite Squad compensated for writing reviews?
Yelp users (including Elites) cannot accept compensation (including discounts or free meals) in exchange for reviews. Accepting compensation will result in revocation of your Elite status, closure of your Yelp account, and other potential repercussions.
These guidelines are included in Yelp’s Terms of Service and Content Guidelines. Questions about the site can also be answered using the Support Center.
How long does my Elite badge last?
The Elite Council at Yelp HQ reviews profiles at the end of each calendar year and will award annual badges sometime in January based on your activity throughout the previous year. Stay consistent when it comes to posting reviews and photos to keep that Elite badge for years to come!
Where can I find out about Elite events and experiences?
The Elite calendar is where you’ll find upcoming local Elite events and experiences. Find them at yelp.com/elite by clicking the Elite badge on your profile or by going to the ‘Events’ tab on the Yelp app. You can also find Yelp events that are open to the community (for Elites and non-Elites) here. Events and experiences are complimentary and a great way to discover local businesses and connect with your community in real life.
What are the different types of events?
Elite event – Live, in-person, and exclusive to Yelp Elite members. Your CM is present and they typically last two hours.
Elite experience – Come on your own time; selected Elites visit a business to receive a complimentary offer during the days specified. You are welcome to bring friends and family along for these experiences, but additional purchases are on their own dime.
Giveaway – Offering free access to foodie and community happenings in your city (not hosted by Yelp) such as ticket giveaways and more.
Community event – Open to anyone with a current and updated Yelp account (ex: forward facing profile pic, real name, recent activity) and posted on the general Yelp events calendar.
How do Elite events and experiences work?
1. RSVP to an event or experience on yelp.com/elite. You should get an email stating that we’ve received your RSVP. Let your Community Manager know if you did not receive one.
2. You’ll receive a confirmation or waitlist email one to two weeks before the event’s start date.
3. Have your confirmation email handy and go to the event! Be sure to check in to the special event listing on the Yelp app when you arrive (a link to this page will be included in your confirmation email), and present your Party Pass to the Yelp team member at registration. The Party Pass will be emailed to you before the event starts; like a boarding pass! It has a QR code on it.
Where do I write reviews and add photos of Yelp Elite events and experiences?
We appreciate you writing a review after such a memorable experience and the host businesses love to read about what you have to say and click through the photos. Your review lets us know that you would like to attend Elite events and experiences in the future! Your Community Manager will share the special Yelp listing made specifically for the event or experience in all communications; before, during, and after. Since these unique Yelp experiences are complimentary, it is against our terms of service to leave your review directly on the main business page.
What do the Elite badge colors mean?
There are three different colors of Elite badges:
Red Badge are those who’ve been Elite for 1 to 4 years
Gold Badge celebrates 5 to 9 years
Black Badge acknowledges 10+ years of Elite status
How do I sign up for Elite emails?
You will automatically be signed up to receive Elite emails when you accept your Elite status via email. After that, you will receive weekly or bi-weekly emails from you Community Manager with important community updates, upcoming events, blog posts, etc. If you are not receiving these emails, please follow the below steps:
1. Mark all Yelp emails as safe and add your city’s email address to your contacts (i.e. city@yelp.com) to stop them from going to spam folders.
2. Make sure that you’re checking the correct primary email associated with your Yelp account.
3. Confirm that the “Yelp Elite Squad Updates” button is checked on your account’s email settings.
Despite taking all of those measures, your Yelp emails can still get marked as spam. If you’re having issues, ask your Community Manager.
Help! I have a question!
If something is up, send your Community Manager an email or direct message on Yelp. To report questionable things on the site, click the flag button to send a report up to Yelp HQ. It will then be reviewed by a real person on the support team within a few days. Lastly, our support center is super helpful, see if they have an answer to your question here.
I know someone who would be perfect for the Yelp Elite Squad!
Nominate them! The Elite Council loves nominations from folks who know what the Elite Squad is all about. Just head on over to yelp.com/elite and find the ‘Nominate a friend’ box to send their user profile and why you think they’re Elite material to Yelp HQ.
