| Document and Entity Information Document | Feb. 18, 2020 | Nov. 07, 2019 |
| Cover page. | ||
| Document Type | 8-K | |
| Document Period End Date | Mar. 19, 2020 | |
| Entity Registrant Name | YELP INC. | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001345016 | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | |
| Entity File Number | 001-35444 | |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 20-1854266 | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 140 New Montgomery Street, 9th Floor | |
| Entity Address, City or Town | San Francisco | |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CA | |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 94105 | |
| City Area Code | (415) | |
| Local Phone Number | 908-3801 | |
| Written Communications | false | |
| Soliciting Material | false | |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false | |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.000001 per share | |
| Trading Symbol | YELP | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | ||
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 140 New Montgomery Street, 9th Floor | |
| Entity Address, City or Town | San Francisco | |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CA | |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 94105 | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | ||
| Document Period End Date | Mar. 19, 2020 |
