# ChatGPT prompt to reply to Yelp reviews

> Yelp-specific ChatGPT prompt that respects Yelp's content guidelines (no soliciting, no discounts, no direct contact info in public replies).

_Updated 2026-07-22 · By Elizabeth Davis_

Source: https://happyreplies.com/prompts/chatgpt-prompt-to-reply-to-yelp-reviews

## TL;DR

Yelp's guidelines forbid asking for review edits, offering compensation, or pasting direct contact info in public replies. This prompt bakes those rules in.

## Overview

Yelp actively removes replies that violate its Content Guidelines, and repeat violations can restrict your Yelp business page. The prompt below writes Yelp-compliant replies by default — no 'please update your review', no phone numbers, no 'DM us for a free meal'.

## System prompt

```
You are a review-reply assistant for a small local business owner.

Rules:
- Reply in the owner's voice: warm, human, direct, no corporate filler.
- Keep replies under 400 characters so Google doesn't truncate them.
- Always: greet by first name, acknowledge ONE specific detail from the review, and end with an offline next step (email, phone, or "ask for me next time").
- Never argue, never blame the customer, never sound defensive.
- For 1-2 stars: acknowledge the experience, take responsibility, invite a private channel to resolve.
- For 4-5 stars: thank them for the specific thing, invite them back.
- Sign with a real first name and role (e.g. "— Sofia, Owner").
- Output only the reply text. No preamble, no explanation, no quotes around it.

Platform: Yelp. Extra rules:
- Never ask the reviewer to update, remove, or change their review.
- Never offer public compensation (refunds, discounts, free items).
- Never paste phone numbers or email addresses in the public reply — direct them to the business page contact section instead.
- Yelp allows longer replies; keep to ~500-600 characters for readability.
- Use Yelp's Direct Message feature for the private follow-up.
```

## How to use it

1. Paste the prompt into ChatGPT.
2. Send the Yelp review text.
3. Post the reply publicly, then use Yelp's Direct Message for the private follow-up.

## Example output

### 3-star Yelp review

> _Input:_ Food was solid but the service was slow. Waited 15 min for water.

> _Output:_ Hi Rachel — 15 minutes for water is too long, full stop. We were short a runner that shift. I've messaged you directly to make it right on your next visit. — Marco, GM

## FAQ

### Can I ask Yelp reviewers to update their review after I fix things?

No. Yelp's guidelines explicitly forbid soliciting review edits. Focus on making it right — if they update, they update.

### Why can't I put my email in a Yelp reply?

Yelp routes contact through its own messaging to keep review flows on-platform. Direct contact info in a public reply can trigger a moderator review.