How to Change Your Name on Yelp (User Profile & Business Listing)
Yelp serves two very different types of users — people who write reviews and people who manage business listings — and the process for changing your name depends entirely on which one you are. Understanding which account type applies to your situation is the first step to getting this right.
The Two Contexts for Changing a Name on Yelp
Yelp user accounts belong to reviewers and community members. The name on this profile appears next to every review you've written and is visible to the public.
Yelp business accounts are managed through Yelp for Business. The business name shown on a listing is what customers see when they search, and changing it follows a separate process with its own approval requirements.
These are not interchangeable paths. Mixing them up is the most common reason people get stuck.
How to Change Your Name on a Yelp User Profile
Your display name on Yelp is the name other users see attached to your reviews and profile page. Here's how the process works:
- Log in to your Yelp account at yelp.com or through the Yelp mobile app.
- Navigate to your profile by clicking your avatar or name in the top-right corner.
- Select "Profile Settings" or "Account Settings" depending on your platform.
- Look for the "Name" field under your personal information.
- Edit the first and last name fields, then save your changes.
On the mobile app (iOS or Android), the path typically runs through the profile icon → your name at the top → Edit Profile. The interface is slightly different from desktop but the fields are the same.
⚙️ One important detail: Yelp displays your real first name and last initial by default (e.g., "Sarah M."). You can update your name, but Yelp's community guidelines discourage anonymous-style pseudonyms. The platform is built around real-identity reviewing, so accounts that appear fake or use obviously fictional names may be flagged.
What You Can and Can't Control
| Element | Changeable by User | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First name | ✅ Yes | Editable in profile settings |
| Last name / initial | ✅ Yes | Only the initial is displayed publicly |
| Profile photo | ✅ Yes | Separate from name change |
| Username / URL | ❌ No | Yelp assigns this automatically |
| Review history attribution | Auto-updates | Changes reflect on past reviews |
When you update your name, all previously written reviews update automatically to show the new name. There's no selective retroactive control.
How to Change a Business Name on Yelp
This is a separate process managed through Yelp for Business (biz.yelp.com), and it comes with more friction — intentionally. Yelp uses human review for business name changes to prevent manipulation of search results and review systems.
Steps for Business Name Changes
- Claim your business listing if you haven't already (unverified owners cannot make edits).
- Log in at biz.yelp.com.
- Go to Business Information in your dashboard.
- Find the Business Name field and submit the updated name.
- Yelp will review the request, sometimes requesting documentation to verify the change is legitimate.
The review process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Changes that reflect a real legal rebrand, DBA update, or ownership transfer are generally approved when supported by documentation. Cosmetic or unverifiable name changes are more likely to be rejected or delayed.
Factors That Affect Business Name Change Outcomes
- Verification status — Claimed and verified listings have a smoother edit path
- History and review volume — High-activity listings may face more scrutiny
- How different the new name is — A minor update to an existing name moves faster than a completely new name
- Supporting documentation — Business license, updated signage photos, or DBA filings can accelerate approval
- Whether the listing has been flagged before — Prior policy issues can slow the review queue
Common Friction Points 🔍
"I can't find the name field." The layout of Yelp's settings menu has shifted over software updates. On desktop, profile settings are usually one click from your avatar. On mobile, some users find the edit option buried under "More" or accessible only by tapping directly on their profile photo first.
"My business name change was rejected." Yelp may revert changes that appear inconsistent with the physical business, differ significantly from what customers report, or conflict with other listing data. Reaching out directly to Yelp Business Support with documentation is the most reliable path forward when an edit is denied.
"My name updated but my old reviews still show the old name." In most cases this resolves itself within 24–48 hours as Yelp's systems sync. If it persists longer, clearing your browser cache or checking on mobile vs. desktop can help confirm whether it's a display issue rather than a data issue.
What Determines Which Process Applies to You
The right approach depends on a few variables that only you know:
- Are you a reviewer or a business owner?
- Are you working from the mobile app or desktop browser?
- Is the business listing claimed and verified, or unclaimed?
- Is this a personal rebrand (nickname to legal name, marriage name change) or a business rebrand?
- Do you have documentation supporting a business name change?
Each of those factors shifts the steps, the timeline, and the likely outcome — which is why the same question ("how do I change my name on Yelp?") can have meaningfully different answers depending on the situation behind it.