Yelp survey shows Gen Z favors written reviews over influencers for purchase decisions

Yelp analysis of Gen Z purchasing behavior found heavy pre-purchase research across categories, led by restaurants at 97%.

Written reviews outweighed influencer recommendations for dining at 78% vs. 59%, signaling demand for detailed, text-based platforms.

Takeout or delivery spending reached 78% in the past month; 72% dined out, with 45% increasing spend in both areas.

Menu at 89% and price at 87% ranked as top restaurant decision drivers, pointing to heightened value sensitivity.

Trust in AI-generated summaries remained low at 48% for services, 43% for restaurants, reinforcing reliance on human-authored content.