Elite Squad members do not get paid for their activities on the site. They do get access to Elite-only Yelp events planned by the local community manager. To get the Elite designation, be very active on Yelp. Elite reviewers may get free products or services to review. Host an Elite event to boost your business’s star rating. Meet the community and share experiences.
Elite members get VIP access to events. Leverage your influence to partner with businesses. Focus on genuinely helpful, high-quality reviews.
The Federal Trade Commission can punish fake reviews. This makes paid reviews illegal.
Under federal law, the practice of exchanging free products or payments for favorable reviews without disclosure is illegal. Elite-worthiness is based on a number of things, including well-written reviews, high quality photos, a detailed personal profile, and a history of playing well with others. Membership in the squad may be revoked if users don’t follow Yelp’s Terms of Service.
To get the Elite designation, be very active on Yelp.
- Write at least 40 high-quality reviews per year
- Add a good number of friends
- Actively interact with other Yelpers
Elites receive a shiny badge on their profile and are invited to attend exclusive events with other locals in the community. The Yelp Elite Squad is a selective, annually chosen membership within the Yelp community. There are a few basic requirements you need to meet before you can join, such as making sure you’ve reached the minimum drinking age in the region you currently reside in and are using your real name on your profile.
Can you get paid for Yelp reviews? No. The closest Yelp has to having paid reviewers are Yelp Ambassadors, who are official employees that also write real reviews. There are plenty of other places you can make money writing reviews. For example, you may want to check out:
- InboxDollars
- Slice the Pie
- Swagbucks
- Survey Junkie
- Software Judge
Do Yelp ambassadors get paid? Yes. Average Yelp Ambassador hourly pay is approximately $17. GetReviewed and Capterra also offer payment for reviews on products and software programs.