Review sites like Yelp, Citysearch, and Chowhound let every diner play critic and restaurateurs don’t especially like it, reports the Globe. Among the interesting tidbits: Beacon Hill Bistro and several other city restaurants use outside consultancies to help engage with the review sites and Eat at Jumbo’s co-owner Grover Taylor says that, until he threatened to join a class-action lawsuit against Yelp, his restaurant’s ratings dropped precipitously when he declined to advertise with the site. Eep.
We’re of two minds on the review sites: on the one hand, they’re not a bad way to remind restaurateurs that every diner matters, but on the other, there’s little more frustrating than reading a vitriolic review of an off night at one of your favorite spots. What do you think?
Everyone’s a Critic [Globe]
