It's funny because many years ago I read comments from people saying, "Yelp cannot last." Then a few years after that, "It's a fad and it will die." The a cou

It's funny because many years ago I read comments from people saying, "Yelp cannot last." Then a few years after that, "It's a fad and it will die." The a couple years after that, "When people catch on, they'll disappear!" And, now, on the day that they went public, there are people still harping that Yelp's days are numbered. Really? Remember they used to say that about Google (and still say they about Facebook). Yelp is a reality that will _not_ go away. Venues have to adjust to the modern day reality that it's easy for people to share information. As you said, "There's no way to keep people from talking about the things they enjoy." If Yelp did disappear, it wouldn't be because people "wised" up or because of some court order. But if they did, there are plenty to take its place. Facebook, Foursquare, or any other social media website that supports ratings of venues.