A quarter of internet users say that they have made purchases based on online reviews written by their fellow customers.

For restaurants that find themselves on Yelp, this study is especially important. Searchpeers is in the process of advising a pair of local eateries on getting better placement so they get to sell themselves before potential guests see Yelp and Citysearch results. Even good restaurants will receive over-the-top bad reviews on sites like this for any number of reasons, and it’s important to make the first impression yourself prior to the inevitability of negativity.

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