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[anisogamy]

I'm an inveterate Yelper. I've had my Yelp account for years, have several "elite" badges (with the perks of being invited to free events as a result), and generally like providing my feedback on a range of different establishments. None of my reviews are particularly shocking, but my fondness for cocktails is pretty clear throughout, as are occasional doses of snark and sassiness.  I haven't reviewed any fetish clubs, bailbonds offices, or things of that nature.

Part of Yelp's philosophy hinges upon the accountability of reviewers, so the use of real names and photographs is highly encouraged (and is required for certain perks). My Yelp account won't show up when you google me (unless you try really hard), as my last name isn't associated with the public profile, so I'm not especially concerned about someone finding my account when looking for information about me, as opposed to coming across it incidentally.  I'm also still looking for my first real academic job, and the only times I've taught since opening my Yelp account have involved a significant commute, so I don't have a pool of students and colleagues living in the same city who'd be especially likely to come across my reviews.

I've been thinking that I would probably either delete my Yelp account or just not review any places in the vicinity of the school once I got an academic position, which for now is still sadly moot.  Do any of you have particularly active Yelp accounts, or other publicly viewable Internet footprints that reflect your personal life and are linked to your real identity?  I feel like the discussion about web presences so often centers around Facebook, but in some ways my Yelp reviews convey more information about me than does my Facebook account.

[crowie]

If it were me I would neither delete my account nor refrain from reviewing places in my new job town (good luck by the way!).  I would just keep in mind that my audience might include people who know me in real life, including students and colleagues and write accordingly.  This is already true, the only difference is the slightly higher chance of your reviews being stumbled upon.  If it is a very small town your review might be the only one!  But I hate the thought that we have to turn into automatons with no outside lives just because we are employed in an internet age.

[systeme_d_]

I now live in a city where Yelp is very helpful, but prior to that, I lived in a small college town where it wasn't used, because it wouldn't be useful. 

Odds are you'll end up in a place where Yelp is no longer a good tool, but in the case that you do end up in a big city, modify your reviews so that if your dean and your students read them, they'd have no reason to gossip about you.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

You should put them on your CV, then they become an asset instead of a liability. - DvF

[curmudgeonintraining]

Searching for my real name brings up hundreds of results about a somewhat embarrassing incident I was involved in years ago when I was younger and more foolish. It was very widely covered in the news and blogs, so there's hiding it or driving down the results. This is my first year on the market and I have no idea what search committees will think!

[larryc]

I think your Yelp account is fine and you should continue to use it and write reviews.

[msparticularity]

I was blogging occasionally for HuffingtonPost when I was on the market a few years ago, writing from the perspective of my position at that time, and a lot of my posts were fairly political. A few SC members mentioned them when I was being interviewed, but it didn't seem to strike anyone as all that exciting.

Unless you're posting about engaging in outrageous public behavior (drunkenness, verbal abuse of your server, destruction or defacement of private or public property) I wouldn't worry about it.

[secundem_artem]

I should think some of this may be field dependent.  If you are in new media and reviewing technology issues, I doubt it's an issue.  But if you are in some of the 'stuffier' fields (business, accounting, law, medicine come to mind) the risk may depend on what you are reviewing.  You're a wine or restaurant writer?  Probably not a big deal.  You review new pornos or tattoo shops?  Could be a problem.

[anisogamy]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.  I'll dial back my intentions to cancel my account and will just continue to be circumspect about what and how I review.  I'll go back through everything with a fine-toothed comb once I'm entering a situation where it might matter, and will judiciously edit or delete particular entries that might be a bit too salacious.

[systeme_d_]

I think that sounds like a good plan, Anisogamy.

When you're deciding what to delete, just picture the most annoying student/micromanaging dean you've ever had, and ask yourself whether you want that student/dean to read that entry.

Best of luck on the market!