With the popularity of social networking sites and forums, it was only a matter of time before something like Yelp came along to give 'social' reviewers a place to post opinions about eateries and retail/service outlets.
www.yelp.co.uk .
Want to know what people are saying about restaurants in Birmingham, bars and clubs in Manchester, shopping in London - or all of these things in one place - Yelp has it.
Users post reviews, businesses can participate, and the public can get some first-hand feedback before they try out a new service.
It has RSS, chat, mobile, maps and other services. It's the citizens' city guide - and after success in the US and Canada, it has moved to the UK.
Read what new media blogger Craig McGinty has to say.
It's a sign of the times. And businesses should take advantage of and participate in this virtual marketing.
It's always more fun to participate than be on the sidelines.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here