Lou MC Yelps a Lot

I got ousted as Barons of Chinatown and Sharpstown within a week in May. I really don't care. My position is never changed since my blog post in 2016. Considered it as a term limit like for politicians, I am happy with my 3-year baronship Why do I don't check-in in Chinatown any more? I got a little disgusted after reading Food Inspection Reports on EveryBlock. This is one of the reasons I don't eat out after reading those restaurants with serious health violations. I learned how to enjoy cooking at home. Huzzah! As the Duke of the most businesses in Chinatown, you've got serious 'Good cred. May 13, 2018 was my last day as of Baron of Chinatown. Here are screen shots on my phone. Panel 1 and 2 were mine. Panel 3 was Fox E's. I checked my Baronship page every week. At 5 pm as panel 1 shows above, I had Chinatown. But I received a notification at 7:15 pm, mine was gone and it went to Fox. I called this a game over. Sometimes I don't check-in j...

I'm addicted with #Yelfie. I wrote a blog last December about Take a Yelfie . Since then, there are so many good things happening. So, let's start with how to use it. First, you need Yelp app on iPhone or Android phone. Second, check in at a biz. Click on the rectangle on the upper left side. 4 easy steps on Android phone. Easy to use on iPhone as well. Third, point at an object what is a least 5 feet away and tap on the circle button on the bottom of screen. Fourth, take a selfie of you or something within 2 feet (flip the camera). Fifth, edit your Yelfie with the features available. see below. Feature  on  Android phone - move biz name & selfie photo Feature on iPhone - change font on biz name & move selfie photo. Finally, tap "check in" or the check mark. Your Yelfie will be shared to the destinations of your choice. Yelfie shared on Facebook from iPhone & Android phone. Yelfie shared on Twitter from iPhone (below) an...

How cool is that? Take a Yelfie to proof you were there. Read this blog on Yelp . Well, it's kind of annoying at first. But, okay. I admit. It's fun once I get used to it. Taking this Yelfie bumped my data usage. I noticed this on a recent Android release 9.0.1 in December. But  someone  in Canada received this feature in November. Huh. Nu Ice has free WiFi. Don't expect my Yelfie at all check-ins. The only time I can share Yelfie is when I find free WiFi to use. Sorry.

After I upgraded my Samsung Note 4 to Android version 6.0 - Marshmallow, I noticed significant change on Yelp app. Whenever I want to get direction on Yelp, the only choice is to get to Google Maps. It used to have more choices. (See the image on  Send to car with Yelp  from last year.) Once I get there, Google Maps took the opportunity to capture my interest. The app kept hinting me to upload a photo or answer a few questions, because it knows I was there before. Eventually, it lured me to become a Local Guide. It was nice to know half million views on 9 photos I posted years ago. Just to be fair, I don't post same photo on Google Maps and Yelp. Since I don't know who is reading the reviews on Google Map, I don't share much details like on Yelp. I never find reviews are useful on Google Maps. Besides, it should stay as a map app.

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.