Yelp Is Now Worth 3.5 BILLION Dollars And They’re Trying To Sell

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Yelp execs have been meeting with investment bankers and potential buyers, presumably to find a daddy to buy up their company.

Bloomberg notes (thanks Eater) that shares of the company’s stock skyrocketed after this news crossed the wire. Dig it:

PicThx WSJ / Eater

What does this mean for the 11-year-old, publicly traded company?

Well, it means Yelp’s gonna try and find a sexy suitor amidst a time where it may not be the prom queen anymore. Though — it’s not like anyone actually uses any of their competitors, despite the terrible stories you may hear about Yelp. So while it may not be the prom queen anymore, there hasn’t been any prom queens announced at Yelp’s alma mater, so even though she’s in middle adulthood with a hot bod, she’s still the sexiest thing around. Let’s face it — despite what you may think about Yelp, you still use it.

Yelp’s biggest advantage is that its closest competitors pale in comparison. Yelp has a ubiquity that’s unparalleled in the space, despite the controversy. Where else you gonna go? Google bought Zagat as a potential competitor, but I can’t remember the last time anyone my age or my parent’s age suggested I go to “this awesome place they heard about on Zagat.”

Pleasantries aside, while Yelp may be seeking someone to buy them out, there are definitely some capable parties out there with cash on hand and reason to gobble them up. Might it be Apple? Could it be Google if they can set aside their differences? Maybe Facebook wants to more properly get into the location-based review game? Or Amazon?

Only time will tell.

Feel free to speculate in the comments.