May 26, 2021
Yelp Adds Feature That Allows Companies to Self-Identify as LGBTQ-Owned
If you want to make sure you support businesses that are LGBTQ-owned, then Yelp has just made it easier to assist you in that goal!
In celebration of Pride Month, Yelp has made finding businesses that are supportive of the same values easier to locate. Yelp has introduced an attribute that allows companies to self-identify themselves for consumers who want to specifically support LGBTQ-owned businesses. The business finder website is also highlighting restaurant, food, and nightlife businesses that identify as LGBTQ-owned or Open to All on Yelp with rainbow-colored map pins for the entire month of June in order to help people find relevant venues to celebrate Pride Month.
Open to All Director Calla Rongerude said in a written statement:
“With hate violence at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever for people to be able to find safe and welcoming spaces to celebrate LGBTQ+ equality. We’re thrilled to partner with Yelp to help users identify not only LGBTQ-owned businesses but also the hundreds of thousands of Open to All businesses that will celebrate equality not only during Pride but year-round.”
RELATED CONTENT: Gay Pride Parade Wants No Parts of The Po-Po, Bans NYPD For At Least Four Years
Currently, consumers can now search for and find LGBTQ-owned businesses on the Yelp website. This new feature is free and opt-in only, to give LGBTQ-owned restaurant owners the decision to let the world know. Consumers will be able to see the LGBTQ-owned attribute in the Yelp mobile app by going to the business page under the “more info” section, and on Yelp’s website in the “amenities and more” section of a business page. Yelp is also proactively monitoring pages for hate speech and/or comments against the LGBTQ+ community and intends on removing any hateful, racist or harmful content that violates their content guidelines.
Starting next month, Yelp will be featuring rainbow map pins on LGBTQ-owned and Open to All restaurant, food, and nightlife businesses. These pins can be found by searching for LGBTQ-owned and Open to All businesses or restaurants. It will also be seen on the home page on the Yelp mobile app and a banner on the Yelp search page on desktop.