Yelp (NYSE:YELP) is a digital platform that connects consumers with local businesses through user-generated reviews, ratings and multimedia content. The company’s flagship offerings include the Yelp website and mobile applications for iOS and Android, where users can search for and discover restaurants, shops, service providers and other points of interest. In addition to crowd-sourced reviews and photographs, Yelp provides business profile pages featuring hours, contact information, menus and direct messaging capabilities.
Yelp generates revenue primarily through advertising services sold to small and medium-sized enterprises. These offerings include sponsored placement in search results, display ads, enhanced profile pages, Yelp Connect (for posting updates and promotions) and analytics tools that help businesses track customer engagement. For restaurant partners, Yelp also offers reservation and waitlist management tools, Wi-Fi marketing integration and gift card programs.
Founded in October 2004 by Jeremy Stoppelman and Russel Simmons, Yelp is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company went public in March 2012 on the NYSE under the ticker YELP. Over the years, Yelp has expanded its platform to more than 30 countries across North America, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, adapting its services to local markets and regulatory environments.
Under CEO and co-founder Jeremy Stoppelman’s leadership, with Russel Simmons serving as Vice President of Engineering, Yelp continues to refine its recommendation algorithms and advertising products to enhance user experience and business outcomes. The company remains focused on deepening consumer trust in its review ecosystem while providing scalable marketing solutions for local enterprise partners.
