Yelp Isn’t Just Reviews—It’s a Social App for Finding Where to Go

How Yelp Became the Internet’s Go-To Guide

When Yelp launched in 2004, it was all about user-generated reviews. Instead of trusting a restaurant’s marketing, people could see real experiences from other diners. Over time, it became the default place to check before trying a new spot.

But Yelp isn’t just about reviews anymore—it’s evolved into a social tool for finding places to go, especially with friends. Whether it’s dinner, drinks, or something totally random like axe throwing, Yelp has become more than a review site. It’s an app for real-world social plans.

Yelp as a Social App

Most people think of Yelp as a search engine for businesses, but in reality, it’s built around social discovery.

• Lists and Collections – Users can create and share lists of their favorite places, making it easier for friends to plan nights out.

• Check-Ins – Similar to early Foursquare, users can check in at restaurants and bars, letting friends know where they’re hanging out.

• Friend Activity Feed – Yelp shows where your friends have been, what they’ve reviewed, and what spots they recommend.

• Event Listings – Yelp isn’t just for food—people use it to find events, pop-ups, and unique experiences happening in their city.

Instead of just searching “best sushi near me,” you can see what’s trending, where your friends have been, and which spots are actually worth it.

Why Yelp Is Still Relevant in 2025

With apps like Instagram and TikTok influencing where people go, you’d think Yelp would be struggling. But it’s still one of the best ways to actually decide on a place.

• TikTok and Instagram are great for inspiration, but Yelp is great for decision-making. Social media shows off the vibe, but Yelp gives the details—wait times, quality, price, and real customer experiences.

• Trust still matters. Influencer-driven platforms push certain places for engagement, but Yelp reviews (when real) feel like unbiased recommendations.

• More than just food. People now use Yelp for finding everything—hiking trails, spas, date spots, nightlife, and even niche activities like escape rooms or speakeasies.

Yelp has quietly remained one of the most useful social apps, not just for reading reviews, but for figuring out where to actually go.

The Future of Social Discovery

Finding places to go is getting more social and more real-time. While Yelp is still a go-to, new apps are experimenting with friend-based recommendations, real-time meetups, and AI-driven suggestions.

But for now, if you’re looking for the best spot for tonight, Yelp still does the job better than almost anything else.