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Owned and Operated Growth

Why Every Contractor Is Wrong About Yelp

πŸ“… June 4, 2026 ⏱️ 42:33 🎀 John Wilson, Katie Litzy

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Yelp's Lead Volume & Reach
    Katie Litzy introduces Yelp's massive lead volume and nationwide presence for home services.
  • 0:12
    Katie Litzy's Background
    Katie shares her 12-year tenure at Yelp, focusing on customer success and investments in services tools.
  • 2:36
    Yelp's Evolution in Services
    Yelp's 'Request a Quote' product and AI tools like Yelp Assistant are discussed as key advancements for home services.
  • 3:24
    Contractor Skepticism & Reviews
    John and Katie address the common contractor distrust of Yelp, particularly concerning review filtering and the 'pay-to-play' perception.
  • 5:28
    Lead Cost & Conversion
    The discussion covers lead buying models, expected costs, and factors influencing lead conversion rates for contractors.
  • 5:53
    AI's Impact on Local Search
    Katie explains how AI, through platforms like ChatGPT and Yelp Assistant, is transforming how consumers search for and engage with contractors.
  • 6:42
    Getting Started with Yelp
    Katie outlines the initial steps for contractors to optimize their Yelp presence, from claiming their page to using Yelp Ads.

Speakers

J
John Wilson
Host
K
Katie Litzy
service operations at Yelp

Key Takeaways

✦

Claim and fully optimize your Yelp business page by ensuring accurate contact information, uploading high-quality project photos, and detailing all services offered.

✦

Actively engage with all reviews, both positive and negative, to demonstrate customer service and transparency to potential clients.

✦

Understand that Yelp's 'pay-to-play' perception regarding reviews is a myth; paying for ads does not influence review display but drives leads.

✦

Embrace AI-driven tools like Yelp Assistant, which translate homeowner needs into specific service requests, improving lead quality.

✦

Be prepared for rapid response times to leads, as speed-to-lead significantly impacts conversion rates, especially for emergency services.

✦

Diversify your lead generation strategies beyond Yelp, but recognize Yelp's significant and evolving role in connecting undecided buyers with service professionals.

✦

Consider Yelp Ads to tap into their 10 million monthly home service leads, with flexible budgeting options for businesses of all sizes.

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