Yelp to let businesses comment publicly on reviews

NEW YORK (AP) ? The review Web site Yelp will soon let businesses respond publicly to customers' critiques.

The new feature comes amid various complaints from businesses reviewed on the site.

In an e-mail to some of its most active users Thursday, Yelp solicits feedback about an upcoming feature that will let businesses post replies to user reviews.

Businesses must first register for a free business owner's account. After a business posts a reply on the site, Yelp will alert the reviewer by e-mail.

Currently, businesses that want to challenge a review or correct errors must contact the reviewer via Yelp. Businesses have not been able to post direct replies on the site.

San Francisco-based Yelp plans to activate the reply feature in a week or two.