Lou MC Yelps a Lot

2017 was a thrilling year for me. I spent a lot of time on taking better photos and sharing more with the communities. Not just Yelp, I also Google a lot.  Funky YES! Here is my status on Yelp : Completed 111 reviews in 2017 Updated 14 reviews in 2017 Uploaded total of 8025 media files (7549 photos & 476 videos) since the day I started Yelping, March 2011.   As of December 30th, I had 6 Baronies. Somehow, it's no longer visible in 2018 (Android). I could never broke my record of 300 reviews from 2016. Due to reviews disappearance, I've included a counter at the end of each review. I also saved the direct link to each published review with my archive. This process was extremely time consuming. I completed my 111 reviews in 2017. You can only see 110 reviews because 13th review was removed. Here is my story .  As of January 2, 2018, before I added more stuff. As for Google, I joined Local Guides sometime last year. I am currently Level...

I've been an Elite Yelper for 6 years. I was curious with a constant popup from Google Maps app to join Local Guides. Here is a quick comparison with Google Local Guides and Yelp Elites. Lack of Connection - There is connections with Google Maps reviewers and the readers. If you are a Local Guide, there is LocalGuidesConnect.com to have some sort of conversation. Most of conversations are fillers - users wants to get badges. Lack of Social Interaction - Unlike Yelp, you can't follow a reviewer and read his/her reviews first. The reviews are sorted chronologically with ratings (non-verbiage review) on the bottom. It's meaningless to write a long review on a popular destination. I normally say a few words with dozen of photos. It knows you're here. Some biz don't have one. Content Quality - There's no standard with Local Guides.  Level 5 Local Guides - Unlike Yelp Elites, there is no prestige to be recognized. Anything over 500 points is Level 5....

As much as I love Yelping with my app, I have to slow down on checking in everywhere. Because check-in slows me down with my daily routine. First, I have to take time to pull out my phone. Second, the moment I turn it on, it started to use cell phone data. Third, I don't mind using phone data much but some apps start to synchronize to their servers (such as Google Maps app), which slowing me down. Moreover, I'd rather spend time enjoying life than getting distracted with the apps. I can live without technology when I really don't have the time. This was captured a year ago.  As you may have seen I claimed so many baronies before. At one time, I had 8. Now, I only want to focus on Baron of Chinatown. It's the neighborhood I know best and the area I explore often on my days off. I want to be the go-to person or the Local Guide in Chinatown. If Yelp offered an ambassador position in Houston, I would apply. Starting 2017, I have a few projects lined up to help ...

At the New Year’s Elite badge release, some Yelpers were excited with another year's elite status. But some left out wondering, "Where is mine?" I'm guessing there is a formula to calculate how much you contribute to the Yelp community. By checking in and posting photos do not impact Yelp's business objective, reviews do. I printed out my friends list before and after the badge release, I concluded a reason why few of my Elite Yelper friends couldn't carry the status from last year. They had something in common. I see everyone had a gap of review writing for more than 3 months during 2015. I can't say how long and how much they need in order to catch up. Let's prove me wrong. If you want to give this a try, start writing again - post at least one review a week. It may just do the trick. HQ gives Elite badge almost weekly. Here are some examples - monthly review posts:  Meriem B . from Houston, TX This gap in reviews costed his continuing Eli...

It's expected to see our colorful background disappear right after midnight new year eve. No worry. This happens every year. I captured this image to share with you. The apps have been evolving in 2015 and the layouts are little different. Our Elite badges will be released on the next business day. They normally come in several waves. We'll see what will happen next year. Here is a Talk thread from our CM Farrah in January 2014. Android & iPhone version of my profile on New Year's Day 1/1/15. It's always fun to send and receive compliments whenever we get the badge. Badge in different colors Red Badge - 1st to 4th year Gold Badge - 5th to 9th year Black Badge - 10th year and more Here is an example of a tenured Elite Yelper . I can't wait to see what color after 15 years of Elite.

Someone asked me if dukedoms and barons can cash in to become Elites. Uh, no. They are two different things.  I missed these popup on the app. Since late 2014, the dukedom crowns are no longer customized. Dukedom badges are just for fun. Yelpers use apps to earn badges. But you'll see some Elites don't have any badges. Because their contributions came from reviews.  So, the bottom line is... reviews sell ads. Dukedoms don't generate any revenue for Yelp. For those of you who are interested to become an Elite member, here is a good article to read and understand how to become Elite Yelper.  http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-become-yelp-elite-2014-8