> Apart from trying to filter spam, Yelp doesn't "manipulate" reviews.

Many restaurants have claimed that yelp has offered to remove negative reviews in exchange for money. Some also suspect Yelp of writing those negative reviews.

Lots of people "claim" lots of things that aren't true. What proof do you have, other than unsubstantiated rumors?

You made a factual claim with out any supporting facts. I pointed out that your claim was not established fact. I am aware that "I'm only asking questions" can be used to cast unwarranted doubts, but in this case the accusers are reputable and numerous enough that I think we should not pretend they don't exist. For example:

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/yelp-and-the-business-...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimhandy/2012/08/16/think-yelp-i...

Also consider the ordering of the reviews - yelp can show them in whatever order they like, so you can be a "3.5" restaurant with a full first page of 1 and 2 star reviews, regardless of whether those reviews are newer or older or have been voted up or not.

The reviews on yelp have never been ordered by voting. They're not even ordered by time -- the order changes based on a variety of factors, such as your login status, who your friends are, etc.

That's why nobody takes these claims seriously. They don't hold up to even casual scrutiny, if you know anything about the site.