Yelp: It’s Quickly Becoming a Top Resource for Mobile Search and Why You Need It

It started a couple of years ago – the downfall of Google’s dominance in the paid search market, and it is all thanks to mobile apps like Yelp. According to a study that was done in 2014, it was determined that mobile would account for nearly 85 percent of all digital ad search dollars by the year 2018. That same study released data that showed Google’s share would decline 20 percent.

Then, in 2015, Yelp saw a 22 percent increase in its mobile visitors, a 35 percent in its reviews and a 35 percent increase in local advertising accounts. It’s clear that Yelp is growing and the mobile app company is only going to continue to grow, which is proof that mobile search is dominating today’s marketing and small business world. And, now that the Google algorithm focuses on local search results, Yelp actually benefits greatly since mobile search focuses on local SEO. In fact, the Pigeon update even puts Yelp reviews higher up on Google search engine result pages (Acronym: SERP).

Benefits of Yelp for Your Business

If you have never used Yelp, it can be frightening to think of using yet another website. However, using Yelp can really help to bolster customer awareness and help your small business succeed. Here are a few facts to consider:

• Over 70 percent of consumers turn to online reviews and trust them as much as – if not more so – than recommendations from peers.
• More than 90 percent of individuals who perform research on online review sites will normally make a purchase at the business that they looked up.
• According to a Boston Consulting Group survey, small businesses that decided to sign up with Yelp saw an increase in their annual revenue.

Did You Know? Bing has partnered with Yelp, and in doing so, actually displays Yelp Reviews within Bing searches and listings.

For more information on how Yelp can help your business, get in touch with us today! WebDetail can not only manage your Yelp Business account, but we can manage and maintain over 75 directories for you.