Yelping

SF Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer weighs in on the problem restaurateurs have with Yelpers, especially those who demand freeibies in return for favorable reviews: "This really does put restaurants in a tough position. No legitimate reviewer asks for free food or special treatment. To me, this is extortion." (Don't say that to some of the "critics" in LA). Bauer also notes the shortcomings of the company's "rules" on the matter: "...these rules have no teeth and are based on the honor system. The reviewers aren't paid by Yelp, and they don't have to use their real names, so the website's ability to control the situation is limited." [BauerBlog via Eater SF]