That's the problem with BHW, is that you have so many idiots posting idiocy that it's hard to pay attention to what's worthwhile. How stupid. "Yelp is junk because I can't get legit reviews to stick."
And yet, some people make money selling reviews, and they guarantee they stick. So, obviously they know something Mr. Idiot here does not, and because he's stupid, Yelp is somehow the problem?
And folks, THAT is your competition.
I read more about legit reviews not sticking than the professional reviews not sticking. Ergo, the Yelp filter is set to "MAX", and still the pro's can get them to stick. $25 to $40 per review, and yes there are some services.
I won't pay for them. I've got good results by networking with other local businesses (even outside the location) and trading reviews. "I'll do yours if you do mine." I've never had one fail to stick. If you are serious about getting Yelp reviews to stick;
1) Ignore the idiots, and every single thing they ever say about anything. A stopped clock is right twice a day, but it's wrong 718 times a day, and what kind of dumbass sits around watching a clock that is wrong 718 out of 720 times a day, just so they can be a witness to the two times a day it's NOT wrong. And, if anyone WERE to do such a thing, who is the biggest idiot? I say this over & over again. Stupidity is contagious. Stay away from it, or you will get infected with it.
2) Develop a Skype-based network of local business owners and/or Local SEO's, and develop relationships with them. In addition to trading technical, relevant and profitable information with them, you can also trade Yelp reviews, Google reviews, G+'s and anything else you might want.
The reason you didn't get repp'd is cause you just shared the same rehashed nonsense that has been reiterated on this forum for ages.
"Develop your own skype network" "some stupid random shit about a clock" LOL.
I just love how you set it up like you were about to say something important, ie. "If you're serious about getting Yelp reviews to stick;"
then you start talking about clocks, idiots, and skype.
HERE IS MY ADVICE.
And please don't rep me unless you actually learned anything.
1) New yelp BUSINESS accounts are put on a "probationary" period.
2) This means, the accounts RECEIVING reviews need to be aged, NOT the accounts delivering reviews.
3) I have left reviews from plenty of new accounts, and gotten them to stick (this was prior to finding glowing reviews who is now gone).
4) The proper way to initiate a new business account, leave 1 thoughtful review. Make sure that review has at least 1 mild criticism of the service.
Then WAIT 3 weeks. Do NOT post any more reviews on that new business account.
5) You will notice the review will pop up weeks down the road, if it does, you did it right.
6) When adding more reviews to a young business listing, I don't recommend more than 2 / month for the first couple months.
7) NEVER, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REPOST a different review, from the SAME account, if you don't see it show up immediately.
8) This is rehashed nonsense. But leave a review on another businesses listing first, wait and see if it gets filtered or shows up.
9) If that review doesn't get filtered, leave it on the proper account.
10) Just have to say. Glowing reviews got ALL of my Yelp reviews to stick over the 1 year that I used them. And their prices were ridiculously cheap.
In conclusion, Yelp is not the fucking CIA.
I always started slow on my new business accounts, then would gradually increase reviews overtime. It always worked.
I don't think there is any crazy technical shit you need to be doing aside from good local proxies, and uploading a picture.
I've seen reviews stick from brand new accounts plenty of times.
So if you ask me, be patient first, persistent later.
As far as a "skype group", I've always liked that idea. Its just not a new idea.
And up until now, I haven't seen 1 well organized skype group.
I think the better solution would be setting up a "review exchange website".
Like a vagex for local reviews. You leave a review, you get a credit to receive a review.
That can be used for ALL local directory sites. Yellow pages, insider pages, kudzu, yahoo, etc etc.
Because IN THE END. I've ALWAYS gotten more traffic by drip feeding reviews to all those sites, not Yelp.
Its a better strategy overall. Less filter problems. And when you hitup insider pages, yahoo, kudzu, yellow pages,
etc etc with reviews, you'll be amazed at how fast your Google Listing ranks.
Thats why these days I still do Yelp, but I do it for mere reputation, not traffic. I get 4-5 reviews, and after that
point I bastardize those accounts and focus on my G listing.
Right now, I have a Yelp listing #1 for a keyword, and a G listing #1 for a very similar search keyword, my google
listing gets about 10xs the amount of calls. Just some food for thought.
-SB