How Yolist Ranks Businesses
Our rankings are determined by an algorithm that rewards quality, completeness, and trustworthiness. Here is exactly how it works.
We never accept payment to improve rankings
Sponsored placements are clearly labelled “Sponsored” and appear separately from organic results. No business can pay to rank higher in organic search results or category listings.
Ranking Factors
Four factors determine where a business appears in Yolist search results.
Reviews
40%The quantity and recency of approved customer reviews, weighted by their star rating average. Recent reviews count more than older ones — a review from last month carries more weight than one from two years ago. We also factor in the ratio of verified reviews (from confirmed Yolist bookings) to unverified reviews.
How to improve:
- ▸Invite satisfied customers to leave a review — use the "Share review link" button in your dashboard.
- ▸Respond publicly to reviews to show you're engaged with customers.
- ▸Never offer incentives for reviews — this violates our policy and may result in removal.
Profile Completeness
25%A complete business profile earns a higher score. We check for: at least one approved photo, a business description of 50+ words, opening hours for all operating days, a phone number, and a website URL. Businesses that list their services and price ranges score higher still.
How to improve:
- ▸Upload a cover photo — profiles with photos receive 3× more clicks.
- ▸Write a description that explains what makes your business different.
- ▸Keep opening hours up to date, especially around holidays.
Verification Status
20%Businesses that have claimed their listing and completed our verification process (email or document verification) rank higher. Verification confirms that a real owner or manager is actively maintaining the listing and that contact details are accurate.
How to improve:
- ▸Claim your free listing at /claim.
- ▸Complete identity verification to earn the Verified badge.
- ▸Premium subscribers receive expedited verification.
Response Rate
15%Businesses that respond to customer reviews and enquiries promptly and consistently score higher. The response rate is the percentage of reviews responded to within 14 days over the past 6 months. Businesses that respond to more than 80% of reviews qualify for the "Responsive" badge.
How to improve:
- ▸Set up email notifications in your dashboard to be alerted when new reviews arrive.
- ▸Even a brief "thank you" response counts as a reply.
- ▸Responding to negative reviews constructively builds trust with future customers.
Common Questions
Does Yolist accept payment to improve rankings?
No. Yolist does not accept payment to improve organic rankings. Sponsored placements are sold separately and clearly labelled. Organic rankings are determined entirely by our algorithm.
How does claiming my listing help my ranking?
Claimed and verified listings rank higher because we can confirm the business is actively managed. Verified status accounts for 20% of the ranking score.
How quickly do new reviews affect my ranking?
Rankings are recalculated nightly. New approved reviews will influence your ranking score from the following day.
What is profile completeness?
A complete profile includes: at least one photo, a description of 50+ words, opening hours for all days you operate, a phone number, and a website URL. Each missing element reduces your completeness score.
What counts as "responding to reviews"?
If you have claimed your listing, responding publicly to customer reviews (both positive and negative) within 14 days is counted as a positive signal. The response rate is the percentage of reviews you have responded to in the last 6 months.