# Yelp Business Scraper (`fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper`) Actor

Find and export public Yelp business listings, profiles, ratings, locations, contact details, hours, and search provenance.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/fetch\_cat/yelp-business-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Hanna Nosova](https://apify.com/fetch_cat) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation, Travel
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $0.14 / 1,000 item extracteds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

## Yelp Business Scraper – Search and Export Business Profiles

Use this Yelp scraper to find public Yelp businesses by keyword and location or look up known business URLs and aliases. Export canonical Yelp IDs, profile URLs, ratings, review counts, categories, location details, contact fields, hours, media, and search provenance as structured JSON, CSV, Excel, or other Apify dataset formats.

### Example input

```json
{
  "searchQueries": ["plumbers"],
  "searchLocations": ["San Francisco, CA"],
  "maxResultsPerSearch": 20,
  "maxPagesPerSearch": 2,
  "sortBy": "recommended"
}
```

### Example output

```json
{
  "businessId": "RR5cJHVh-R9f5DNqZ-XAJA",
  "alias": "discount-plumbing-rooter-services-san-francisco-2",
  "name": "Discount Plumbing Rooter Services",
  "url": "https://www.yelp.com/biz/discount-plumbing-rooter-services-san-francisco-2",
  "rating": 4.5,
  "reviewCount": 1305,
  "categories": ["Plumbing"],
  "searchQuery": "plumbers",
  "searchLocation": "San Francisco, CA",
  "searchRank": 1,
  "collectedAt": "2026-08-13T12:00:00.000Z"
}
```

### Who is it for?

This Actor is built for local lead generation agencies, local SEO teams, market researchers, and business data enrichment teams that need repeatable Yelp business discovery data.

### What you can use it for

- Build local-business lead lists by service and city for Yelp lead generation.
- Compare businesses by rating, review volume, category, or price range.
- Resolve Yelp aliases and URLs to stable business IDs.
- Feed canonical business URLs into [Yelp Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/yelp-reviews-scraper).
- Monitor public business profile details over time.

### Input settings

| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `searchQueries` | string\[] | Categories, services, or business names. |
| `searchLocations` | string\[] | Cities, regions, or postal codes. Each query is combined with each location. |
| `startUrls` | request\[] | Public Yelp business or search URLs. |
| `businessAliases` | string\[] | Yelp aliases such as `gary-danko-san-francisco`. |
| `maxResultsPerSearch` | integer | Unique businesses per query/location, from 1 to 240. |
| `maxPagesPerSearch` | integer | Pagination cap from 1 to 24. |
| `sortBy` | string | `recommended`, `rating`, or `review_count`. |
| `priceLevels` | integer\[] | Optional Yelp price levels 1–4. |

Provide both `searchQueries` and `searchLocations` when using search mode. You can combine search, URL, and alias inputs in one run; duplicate businesses are saved once.

### Output fields

Every dataset row uses one stable business shape. Source-dependent optional fields may be `null` or empty when Yelp does not publish them.

| Group | Fields |
|---|---|
| Identity | `businessId`, `alias`, `name`, `url`, `alternateNames`, `businessType` |
| Status | `isAd`, `isClaimed`, `isClosed`, `isTemporarilyClosed` |
| Address | `addressLine1`, `addressLine2`, `city`, `state`, `postalCode`, `country`, `neighborhoods` |
| Coordinates | `latitude`, `longitude` |
| Classification | `categories`, `cuisine` |
| Contact and price | `phone`, `website`, `priceRange` |
| Reputation | `rating`, `reviewCount`, `healthScore` |
| Hours and features | `hours`, `specialHours`, `amenities`, `businessHighlights` |
| About | `about`, `specialties`, `history`, `yearEstablished` |
| Links and media | `menuUrl`, `reservationUrl`, `primaryPhoto`, `images`, `mediaCount` |
| Provenance | `searchQuery`, `searchLocation`, `searchRank`, `sourceUrl`, `collectedAt` |

This Actor returns business discovery/profile records, not review bodies or reviewer profiles.

### Input recipes

#### Find local service providers

```json
{"searchQueries":["electricians","plumbers"],"searchLocations":["Austin, TX"],"maxResultsPerSearch":25}
```

#### Look up known profiles

```json
{"businessAliases":["gary-danko-san-francisco"],"maxResultsPerSearch":1}
```

#### Use public Yelp URLs

```json
{"startUrls":[{"url":"https://www.yelp.com/biz/gary-danko-san-francisco"}]}
```

### Pricing and limits

The Actor charges one small start event per run and one `item` event for each unique business saved. Failed targets and duplicates are not charged as items. Current rates and account-tier discounts are shown on the Actor's [live Pricing tab](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper/pricing).

Yelp may limit the number of businesses available for a search. The Actor caps each search at 240 businesses and 24 pages, preserves completed rows when another target fails, and records a run summary in the default key-value store.

### API usage

Run from JavaScript with `apify-client`:

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
const client = new ApifyClient({ token: process.env.APIFY_TOKEN });
const run = await client.actor('fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper').call({
  searchQueries: ['sushi'],
  searchLocations: ['Austin, TX'],
  maxResultsPerSearch: 20,
});
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
```

Run from Python with `apify-client`:

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient
client = ApifyClient("<APIFY_API_TOKEN>")
run = client.actor("fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper").call(run_input={
    "searchQueries": ["sushi"],
    "searchLocations": ["Austin, TX"],
    "maxResultsPerSearch": 20,
})
items = client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).list_items().items
```

Or call the REST API with cURL:

```bash
curl -X POST 'https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/fetch_cat~yelp-business-scraper/runs?token=<APIFY_API_TOKEN>' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"searchQueries":["sushi"],"searchLocations":["Austin, TX"],"maxResultsPerSearch":20}'
```

The same input works with schedules, webhooks, and integrations.

### MCP and AI agents

Connect through [Apify MCP](https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper). For Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add apify --transport http 'https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper'
```

Example MCP client configuration:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper"
    }
  }
}
```

Example prompts: “Find 20 plumbers in Austin and return names, ratings, phones, and Yelp URLs” or “Compare sushi businesses in Seattle by rating and review count.” Keep limits low during interactive exploration, then increase them for exports.

### Tips

- Use specific service terms and city/state locations for relevant lead lists.
- Start with 10–25 businesses to validate a search before requesting more pages.
- Use direct aliases or URLs when you already know the target business.
- Review optional fields for your category and region; public profile completeness varies.

### FAQ

#### What data can I export with Yelp Business Scraper?

You can export identity, location, categories, ratings, review totals, public contact details, hours, media, and search provenance for each discovered business.

#### Can I run Yelp Business Scraper through an API, schedule, or MCP client?

Yes. Use the Apify API example above, create a schedule in Console, or connect through the linked Apify MCP endpoint with the same JSON input.

#### How much does it cost to use Yelp Business Scraper?

Each run charges one small start event and one `item` event per unique business saved. Current rates and account-tier discounts are shown on the Actor's Pricing tab.

#### Does this scrape Yelp reviews?

No. It exports one row per business. Use [Yelp Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/yelp-reviews-scraper) for public review records.

#### Why are some contact or hours fields empty?

Yelp does not publish every field for every business or region. The Actor keeps the business row and uses `null` or an empty array for unavailable optional data.

#### Can I search multiple locations?

Yes. Every search query is combined with every supplied location, and businesses are deduplicated across the run.

#### What happens if one search fails?

Completed businesses remain in the dataset. The run summary reports failed targets, duplicates, saved rows, and pending work.

### Related Actors

- [Yelp Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/yelp-reviews-scraper)
- [Google Maps Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-maps-reviews-scraper)
- [Google Maps Lead Finder](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-maps-lead-finder)
- [Tripadvisor Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/tripadvisor-reviews-scraper)
- [Trustpilot Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/trustpilot-reviews-scraper)

### Support

If a public Yelp URL or search returns unexpected output, open an issue from the Actor page and include the input, run ID, and expected business. Do not include private credentials or personal account data.

# Actor input Schema

## `searchQueries` (type: `array`):

Business categories, services, or names to find.

## `searchLocations` (type: `array`):

Cities, regions, or postal codes paired with every search term.

## `startUrls` (type: `array`):

Optional public Yelp business or search URLs.

## `businessAliases` (type: `array`):

Optional Yelp aliases, such as gary-danko-san-francisco.

## `maxResultsPerSearch` (type: `integer`):

Maximum unique businesses saved for each query and location.

## `maxPagesPerSearch` (type: `integer`):

Pagination safety limit for each search.

## `sortBy` (type: `string`):

Choose Yelp's recommended order, highest rating, or highest review count.

## `priceLevels` (type: `array`):

Optional Yelp price filters from 1 (budget) to 4 (premium). Select one or more values.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "searchQueries": [
    "plumbers"
  ],
  "searchLocations": [
    "San Francisco, CA"
  ],
  "startUrls": [],
  "maxResultsPerSearch": 20,
  "maxPagesPerSearch": 2,
  "sortBy": "recommended"
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "searchQueries": [
        "plumbers"
    ],
    "searchLocations": [
        "San Francisco, CA"
    ],
    "startUrls": []
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "searchQueries": ["plumbers"],
    "searchLocations": ["San Francisco, CA"],
    "startUrls": [],
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "searchQueries": [
    "plumbers"
  ],
  "searchLocations": [
    "San Francisco, CA"
  ],
  "startUrls": []
}' |
apify call fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,fetch_cat/yelp-business-scraper"
        }
    }
}

```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/z49fB04Wlq21MOmey/builds/buRBp7M884HtsF5jD/openapi.json