Yelp has long been accused of extortion-like business practices, but recently, the online review site went on the defensive when a crowdfunded documentary began receiving national attention. The film, which is halfway through principal photography, claims that Yelp buries positive reviews and highlights negative ones if business owners won’t advertise with the site. Yelp officials vehemently deny the allegation.
Billion Dollar Bully had an original goal of raising $60,000 on Kickstarter to pay for the rest of filming, but it handily surpassed that figure, with more than $90,000 donated by the end of the funding period.
Media attention for the film affected Yelp’s shares, which were down by as much as 4 percent when news of the documentary hit. The stock has rebounded since then, and at press time was trading at 49.59. Yelp’s high was 101.75 in March of last year.
In other Yelp news, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in April in a closely watched case regarding a carpet-cleaning company in Springfield.
In 2012, Hadeed Carpet Cleaning sued three Yelp users who anonymously posted negative reviews of the business. Owner, Joe Hadeed claimed that the reviews were fabricated and that he was unable to match them with any customer records.
In the suit, the reviewers are named “John Does” and Hadeed’s attorneys subpoenaed Yelp for their real identities. Yelp refused, and two lower courts found in Hadeed’s favor, ordering Yelp to supply the information.
However, the Virginia Supreme Court reversed those decisions, stating that Yelp doesn’t have to disclose the users’ information. The reasoning was that the state’s lower courts did not have jurisdiction over Yelp—a California-based company. The justices’ decision to focus their ruling on jurisdictions rather than Hadeed’s actual argument leaves an important legal question unanswered: Do online reviewers have the right to remain anonymous in this case? PR
Yelp lawsuit raises the question: Do online reviewers have the right to remain anonymous?
Add new comment
Related Stories
3 Areas Successful Remodelers Focus On
Industry advisor Mark Richardson shares what separates the losing from the winning in today’s market
Peppermill Finish
Pro Remodeler’s 2024 Pinnacle Experience Reaches New Heights
The sold-out event covered leadership, lead gen, sales, and technology
Brian Gottlieb Receives Remodeling Mastery Award
Presented by industry icon, Mark Richardson, the award celebrated Gottlieb’s extraordinary impact on remodeling
Real AI Applications For Remodelers
Tech-forward remodeler Michael Anschel shares how he uses artificial intelligence in his business.
NARI Renames Awards Program
The awards program has a new name, but continues its tradition of recognizing the best in residential remodeling
This Contractor Gained 100,000+ Followers in One Year—Here's How
Stephanie Dailey followed one social media philosophy to hit influencer status on Instagram
6 Results-Proven Marketing and Sales Tips for Contractors
The Pinnacle Experience’s keynote speaker, author of "They Ask, You Answer" offers results-driven tips contractors can start today for improved leads
How to Get More Leads with a Stronger Remodeling Brand
Discover how to build a strong brand for your construction company, and learn key strategies to differentiate and attract better leads