You can delete your Yelp account in three steps from your account settings
To cancel your Yelp account, sign in to your profile, go to Account Settings, and select the option to close your account. Yelp will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, your account and all associated data — reviews, photos, and profile information — will be removed from the site within a few days. You cannot undo this action, so make sure you want to leave before you proceed.
The process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact Yelp support unless something goes wrong during deletion. If you are canceling because you want to take a break but might return later, you can deactivate your account instead, which hides your profile without permanently removing it.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent deletion removes your account, reviews, and profile photo from Yelp within a few days and cannot be reversed.
- Deactivation hides your account temporarily while keeping your data intact, so you can reactivate later if you change your mind.
- You must be signed in to your account to delete it; Yelp does not process deletion requests from outside your account.
- After deletion, your reviews may still appear on business pages for a short time before they are fully removed from the site.
How to permanently delete your account
Sign in to your Yelp account on a computer or the Yelp app. Go to your profile by clicking your name or avatar in the top right corner. Select Account Settings from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Account Settings page. You will see a section labeled Close Account or Delete Account. Click that button. Yelp will show you a warning that explains what will happen: your profile, reviews, photos, and saved lists will all be deleted permanently. Read through this carefully, then click the confirmation button to proceed. Your account will be gone within a few days.
The difference between deactivation and deletion
Deletion is permanent. Your account, reviews, and profile disappear from Yelp. You cannot recover them. If you ever want to use Yelp again, you will need to create a brand new account from scratch.
Deactivation is temporary. Your profile and reviews are hidden from public view, but Yelp keeps your data. If you sign back in within a certain period, you can reactivate your account and everything returns to normal. Deactivation is useful if you are taking a break from Yelp but might want to come back later. To deactivate instead of delete, look for a Deactivate Account option in your Account Settings — it appears near the delete button.
What happens to your reviews after deletion
Your reviews will be removed from Yelp, but not when ready. It can take several days for them to disappear completely from business pages. During that time, your review may still be visible to other users, but it will no longer show your name or profile photo — it will appear as posted by a deleted account.
If you wrote a review that a business owner has flagged or responded to, that conversation will also be removed. Photos you uploaded will be deleted as well. If another user had saved one of your reviews as helpful, that record will disappear.
If you cannot find the delete option
The delete account button location varies slightly depending on whether you are using the Yelp website or the mobile app. On the website, it is always at the bottom of Account Settings. On the app, you may need to scroll further down or look under a More or Settings menu.
If you have signed in through a third-party account — like Google, Facebook, or Apple — you can still delete your Yelp account the same way. Deleting your Yelp account does not delete your Google, Facebook, or Apple account. If you cannot locate the delete button after checking both the website and app, you can contact Yelp support through the Help Center on their website, though they will likely direct you back to the self-service deletion process.
Protecting your information before you go
Before you delete your account, consider saving anything you want to keep. Yelp does not provide a way to read your reviews or photos directly, so if you want a record of what you wrote, take screenshots or copy the text to a document. Once your account is deleted, this information will be gone.
If you are deleting because of privacy concerns, check your privacy settings one more time before you proceed. You can control who sees your profile, reviews, and lists. Sometimes adjusting these settings is enough without needing to delete entirely. If you are concerned about a specific review or photo, you can delete individual items from your account without closing the whole account.
What to do if deletion fails
Occasionally the deletion process stalls or shows an error message. If this happens, try signing out completely, then signing back in and attempting deletion again. Clear your browser cache and cookies, or try a different browser. If you are using the app, try the website instead, or vice versa.
If deletion still does not work after a second attempt, contact Yelp support through the Help Center. Explain that you are trying to delete your account and describe the error message you saw. Support can usually process the deletion manually, though it may take a few business days. Keep your account credentials handy when you contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Yelp account from the mobile app?
Yes. Open the app, tap your profile icon, go to Account Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap the delete or close account option. The process is the same as on the website, though the menu layout may look slightly different depending on your phone type.
Will deleting my Yelp account delete my Google or Facebook account?
No. If you signed up for Yelp using Google, Facebook, or Apple, deleting your Yelp account only removes your Yelp profile. Your Google, Facebook, or Apple account remains active and unaffected. You will need to delete those accounts separately if you want to.
Can I recover my account after I delete it?
No. Deletion is permanent. Once you confirm the deletion, Yelp removes your account and all your data. You cannot recover it. If you want to use Yelp again, you will have to create a new account with a new email address.
How long does it take for my account to be completely removed?
Your account is usually removed within a few days, though it can take up to a week in some cases. Your reviews may remain visible for a short time after deletion before they disappear from business pages. If your account is still showing after two weeks, contact Yelp support.
What if I only want to hide my reviews, not delete my account?
You can delete individual reviews without closing your account. Go to your profile, find the review you want to remove, and click the delete button next to it. You can also deactivate your account temporarily to hide everything without permanent deletion.