You can change your Yelp username from your account settings on the website or app

Yelp lets you change your username at any time through your account settings. The process takes less than a minute on either the website or mobile app. Your new username appears on your profile, reviews, and comments when ready after you save it.

The username you choose must be between 3 and 40 characters, can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot be the same as another Yelp user's name. Yelp does not allow spaces in usernames. You can change your username as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Yelp account and go to Settings to find the username field.
  • Your new username must be 3 to 40 characters and cannot match another user's existing name.
  • The change takes effect when ready across your profile, reviews, and all your activity on Yelp.
  • You can change your username as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • Your profile link stays the same after you change your username, so friends and followers can still find you.

How to change your username on the Yelp website

Open Yelp.com and sign into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the "Settings" tab and click it. Find the "Username" field, which displays your current username. Click the pencil icon or the field itself to edit it. Type your new username and click "Save" or press Enter. Yelp will confirm whether the name is available or ask you to try a different one.

If you see an error message saying the username is taken, the field will stay open so you can type a new option without leaving the page. Try again with a different combination until you find one that works.

How to change your username in the Yelp mobile app

Open the Yelp app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap "Account" at the top of the menu.

Scroll down to find "Username" and tap it. The field will become editable. Type your new username and tap "Save" or the checkmark button. If the name is taken, Yelp will show an error message and you can try another one without closing the screen.

The mobile app process is identical whether you use iPhone or Android. Both versions store your changes to the same account, so a username change on your phone will appear on the website and vice versa.

What happens to your reviews and profile after you change your username

All your existing reviews, photos, and comments will show your new username when ready. Friends and followers will see the updated name on your profile and on any content you have posted. There is no delay or waiting period for the change to appear everywhere on Yelp.

Your Yelp profile URL does not change when you update your username — it stays tied to your account ID instead. This means links to your profile will still work, even though your username has changed. Anyone who bookmarked your profile or saved your link will still reach the same page.

Your review count, Elite status, badges, and all other account information remain exactly the same. Only the name displayed changes.

Choosing a username that won't get rejected

Yelp rejects usernames that are already in use by another account. If you see an error message saying the name is unavailable, try adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. For example, if "JennyReviews" is taken, you could try "JennyReviews2" or "Jenny_Reviews".

Avoid usernames that contain only numbers or special characters, as Yelp may flag these as invalid. Stick to a mix of letters with numbers or underscores if your first choice does not work. You can also try adding your city name, a year, or an underscore between words to create a variation that is still recognizable to people who know you.

If you cannot find the username setting

Make sure you are logged into your Yelp account. If you are using the website, check that you clicked "Account" from the profile menu, not "Log Out" or another option. On the mobile app, the profile icon is always at the bottom right of the screen.

If the Settings tab does not appear on the Account page, try logging out and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are on the website, or close and reopen the app on your phone. If the problem continues, contact Yelp support through the Help Center on the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Yelp username back to what it was before?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your username. You can switch back to a previous name whenever you want, as long as no one else has taken it in the meantime.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your profile link stays the same, so anyone who has bookmarked or saved your profile will still reach it. Your friends list and followers do not change, and they will see your new username on your profile and reviews.

Does changing my username affect my Yelp Elite status or review count?

No. Your review history, Elite badge, and all account information remain exactly the same. Only the name displayed changes.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make it unique. For example, add your birth year or a number at the end. Yelp will tell you when ready if a name is available when you try to save it.

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

No. Yelp usernames cannot contain spaces. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but nothing else. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead of a space.