Change Your Yelp Username in Account Settings

To change your Yelp username, go to your account settings, find the profile section, and edit the name that appears on your reviews and profile page. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on desktop and mobile.

On desktop, click your profile icon in the top right corner, select "Account Settings," then click "Edit Profile." Look for the field labeled "Name" — this is what other Yelp users see. Type your new name, scroll down, and click "Save Changes." Yelp will confirm the update when ready.

On the Yelp mobile app, tap the profile icon at the bottom right, select "Settings," then "Edit Profile." Change the name field the same way and tap "Save." If you use both the app and website, the change syncs across both automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Yelp username is the name displayed on your profile and reviews, found in the "Name" field under Account Settings or Edit Profile.
  • You can change your name as often as you want with no waiting period or limit on how many times you do it.
  • Changes take effect when ready on both the website and mobile app once you click Save.
  • Your Yelp ID and review history stay the same — only the display name changes, so your past reviews remain linked to your account.
  • Yelp does not require you to use your real name; you can use a nickname, business name, or any text you choose.

What Name Shows Up Where on Your Profile

The name you enter in the "Name" field is what appears at the top of your profile page, next to your photo, and as the author credit on every review you write. Other Yelp users see this name when they read your reviews or visit your profile.

This is different from your email address and password, which only you and Yelp can see. Your email is what you use to log in, and changing your display name does not change your login credentials.

Changing Your Name on Desktop

Start by logging into Yelp on your computer. In the top right corner, click the profile icon (usually a circle with your photo or initials). A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Click "Account Settings" from that menu. On the Account Settings page, look for a button or link that says "Edit Profile" — it is usually near the top. Click it to open the profile editor.

Find the "Name" field. Delete the current text and type your new name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Save Changes" button. Yelp will show a confirmation message, and your new name is live.

Changing Your Name on Mobile

Open the Yelp app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Look for a "Settings" option, usually shown as a gear icon or text link near the top.

Tap "Settings," then find and tap "Edit Profile." The name field will appear on the screen. Clear the current name and type your new one. Tap "Save" or "Done" (the exact wording depends on your phone's operating system).

The change syncs to your account when ready. If you log in on a computer later, you will see the new name there too.

How Often You Can Change Your Name

Yelp does not limit how many times you can change your display name. You can update it as often as you want with no waiting period between changes. There is no cooldown, no approval process, and no restriction on reusing old names.

Your review history and profile stay attached to your account no matter how many times you change your name. Past reviews will show your new name, not the old one you used when you wrote them.

What Happens to Your Old Reviews

When you change your username, all your past reviews automatically display under your new name. Readers will see the new name as the author, even on reviews you wrote years ago under a different name.

Your review count, photos, and all other profile information stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to your content. Your Yelp ID — the unique number Yelp assigns to your account — never changes.

Troubleshooting Name Changes That Do Not Save

If you click "Save Changes" and the page does not confirm the update, first check that you have entered a name in the field. Yelp requires the name field to have at least one character. If the field is blank, add text and try again.

If the name field has text but the save still fails, try logging out completely and logging back in. Close your browser or app entirely, wait a few seconds, and open Yelp fresh. Sometimes a session glitch prevents the save from going through, and a fresh login fixes it.

If you are on mobile and the save button does not respond, make sure you have a working internet connection. Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa and try again. If the problem persists, uninstall the Yelp app, restart your phone, and reinstall it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emojis in my Yelp username?

Yelp accepts most letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation marks in the name field. Emojis usually do not work — the system either strips them out or shows an error. Stick to standard keyboard characters for the most reliable result.

Does changing my name affect my Yelp password or email login?

No. Your display name and your login credentials are completely separate. Changing your name does not change your email address or password. You will still log in with the same email and password you used before.

Will my friends still see my reviews after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends who follow you on Yelp will see your new name on all your reviews, including old ones. The reviews stay linked to your account — only the author name displayed changes.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes. You can change your name to anything at any time, including a name you used in the past. Yelp does not prevent you from reusing old names or changing back and forth.

What if I want to hide my real name on Yelp?

You can use any name you want — a nickname, initials, a business name, or anything else. Yelp does not require you to use your real name or verify your identity. The name you enter in the profile field is what displays publicly.