Yelp SEO: Strategies to Improve Your Visibility and Get More Leads

Brianna Anderson
October 7, 2025

In marketing conversations, Yelp often gets overshadowed by Google and social media. But with 29 million active monthly users, it’s far from a dead platform — it’s a great place to scoop up leads. 


Like Google, Yelp uses its own search algorithms to match users with local businesses. Someone who’s nervous about their squeaky brakes can type in “brake repair” and see nearby mechanics. Flat tire on the side of the freeway? Get a list of tow companies in seconds. 


Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your company appear higher in these results. More visibility equals more clicks. Suddenly, you’re getting calls from new clients who may never have found your business otherwise. 


Yelp SEO doesn’t cost anything but time. With a little savvy strategizing, you can get a leg up on competitors. 


What Is Yelp SEO?


Yelp SEO focuses on improving your business profile so it shows up when people look for what you’re offering. It’s simpler than traditional SEO, because your Yelp profile is more straightforward than a website. Even adding a few photos can bump you up the results list. 


As more local businesses invest in digital marketing, popular search terms have become extremely competitive on Google. You could spend a small fortune trying to rank for “mechanic in Chicago” and still end up buried on page three. Frustrating.


There’s still competition on Yelp, but it’s not as fierce. With a few tweaks, you can boost your Yelp search visibility and get more traffic. Plus, Yelp pages often rank on Google. Can’t get your website to the top? You could appear anyway in a Yelp roundup, like “Top 10 Best Auto Repair Near Chicago, Illinois.” It’s a not-so-sneaky shortcut. 


It’s free, too. Sure, you could always pay for local Yelp ads, which appear at the top of search results and even on your competitors’ pages. But it’s not strictly necessary. Even a basic profile can bring in a steady stream of leads who are ready to schedule an appointment. For small businesses on a tight budget, it doesn’t get any better than that. 


Building Your Yelp Business Page: The Foundation


Yelp may have already created a page for your business, so start by searching for it by name. If not, no worries. You can design a profile from scratch instead. 


Either way, you’ll need to create a free business account. Enter basic details about your company, including the phone number and email address. Yelp will send you a verification code to officially claim your account. 


Optimize your Yelp profile with a short but compelling description of your business. Speak directly to your target audience. If you cater to parents, for example, mention your fully stocked waiting room with board games and snacks. Hybrid vehicle owners, meanwhile, want to know that you have certified techs who understand how their batteries work. 


Sprinkle in phrases that your audience might enter when looking for a local business. Someone with an ominously smoking engine will probably type in something like “engine repair” or “same-day mechanic appointment.” Tools like Semrush can help you find the most relevant keywords for Yelp. Or just experiment by adding different terms to the search bar and see what it suggests. 


You should also pick the best Yelp categories for your business. For a mechanic, that might be “auto repair,” “car inspectors,” and “oil change stations.” These categories help guide potential customers to your business, so choose wisely. 


Of course, you’ll also need plenty of visuals. Otherwise, your profile is just a bland, text-filled shell. Not very appealing. For Yelp photo optimization, focus on taking high-quality pictures of your business and products. Users may also appreciate a video tour of your shop or a quick hello from the owner. 


NAP (Name, Address, Phone) Consistency


Your Yelp profile is only a small part of your online reputation management. Always share the same business details across every platform, including your Google Business Profile and social media. 


Consistency matters for everything, but especially this information: 


  • Name and address 
  • Contact information 
  • Hours 
  • Website
  • Specialities
  • Services 


If something doesn’t add up, the algorithm could get confused and lower your business's Yelp ranking. Plus, customers may side-eye your company if Yelp says you’re closed on Mondays but Google says you’re open. 


Best Practices for Yelp SEO


Every business needs a reputation management strategy to spotlight the good — and cope with the occasional negative comment. 


A simple way to do that is by encouraging customers to leave Yelp reviews. Every time you ring someone up, ask them to leave feedback. You could even hang up a QR code that links to your Yelp profile. These conversations may feel awkward at first, but satisfied clients are often thrilled to support a beloved small-business owner. You can also send follow-up emails after appointments with another friendly nudge. 


These Yelp reviews impact SEO indirectly because customers often use keywords naturally. Plus, profiles that get a lot of engagement get pushed to the top, just like a trendy Instagram Reel. 


Take the time to react to every comment. Responding to positive reviews is easy. Use an upbeat tone and write a sincere thank you. You should also add a personal comment, like, “Looking forward to seeing you and your adorable poodle again next time!” 


Tact is everything when responding to negative reviews. Don’t get defensive or, even worse, insult the customer. Instead, acknowledge if you were at fault and offer a resolution. If someone complains about your staff’s lackluster phone manners, reassure them that “We’re retraining the front-desk employees this week.” 


By responding to Yelp reviews with grace, you’ll protect your business reputation. Plus, you’ll show readers you genuinely care about improving. 


Here are a few more Yelp ranking tips: 


  • Invite customers to share content, like before-and-after photos of a car you repainted. A little social proof goes a long way in local search marketing. 
  • Avoid common Yelp profile mistakes, such as ignoring categories or leaving your description blank. Duplicate Yelp listings affect SEO, too, so make sure you only have one profile. 
  • Create a Yelp backlink strategy by linking to your profile from your website and social accounts. That way, it’s easy for customers to drop by and leave a review (or scope out other people’s feedback). 
  • Add booking links to your profile so customers can schedule appointments ASAP. 


Driving Engagement and Visibility


Experiment with these advanced tactics to increase Yelp traffic and hook users: 


  • Keep updating your page with fresh deals and updates. Feeding the algorithm is one of the most effective ways to increase Yelp traffic. 
  • Splurge on a few ads with dynamic content, such as deals that change every month. 
  • Use Yelp’s messaging system to answer questions and give quotes. 
  • Encourage customers to upload videos and photos, especially if you’ve blown them away with your fabulous services. 
  • Use Yelp’s built-in analytics tools to see your visitors’ demographics and other data. By using this information to fine-tune your keywords and descriptions, you’ll boost Yelp leads.


Trust the Experts for Yelp SEO


Yelp local SEO is all about making your business more findable. With the right keywords and tactics, you can rocket to the top of the rankings. Or, at least, move up a few spots. 


Like every marketing technique, Yelp isn’t a one-and-done kind of deal. Turn on notifications on your phone so you can leap into action every time you get a review or a request for a quote. Online browsers are impatient, so don’t expect them to wait days for you to reach out. 


Need an extra hand staying on top of everything? Optimize Digital Marketing’s reputation management team can help with everything from responding to Yelp reviews to building your profile. Get in touch to learn how we can boost your visibility.