FAQs

We could throw hackneyed phrases at you like, “We’re the originals (founded in 1995, before some of you were even born)!” or “We’re the best!” But we won’t. Instead how about: We are trust-worthy. We are all about local and community. We have a mascot.

Oh us? We’ve been around – still helping people explore their cities, but busy expanding on our approach. We live in a busy world and we found the integrity of reviews was beginning to get lost in the sheer volume of words. That’s why we’ve been cleaning things up. Our mobile app limits tips to 140 punchy characters, while top tastemakers, from food writers to culture bloggers, offer their own tips for what’s happening in our major markets.

You may have noticed we’ve switched away from our original star system to a bi-modal, thumbs up/down approach along with a scorecard for each business. The Score is calculated by analyzing the business owner’s zodiac sign as well as the 5-day weather forecast, various commodity prices and whether or not we like the last haircut you got. Noooo. Actually, our fancy schmancy computers take into consideration the percentage of Citysearch users and expert scouts who’ve recommended the business, along with timeliness of tips.

You mean besides our new mascot, Sid E. Serch, our new logo, new look and expert scouts’ tips? Pff. You guys are a demanding bunch, aren’t you?

Our New & Notable editorial content is written by the Captain of each of our major markets and features a local business that’s — surprise-surprise — new and notable. Check back every 3 days for another New & Notable write-up to stay on top of the latest and greatest in your city.

Our Best of Citysearch feature allows for you, the user, to vote on your favorite new restaurants, kid-friendly eateries, relaxing day spas, trendy hair salons….you name it! With over 20 categories to choose from, this platform allows users to actively engage with local businesses and easily locate the ‘best of’ a specific type of local venue.

“How” you ask? Annually, our expert, in-the-know Captains and Scouts in each market nominate the businesses they consider to be the Best of Citysearch – thus, we can guarantee the highest quality nominations across all categories. Then it’s up to you, the user, to vote on your favorite(s) either on Facebook or Citysearch and help choose the year’s winner.

Technically speaking, a deal indicates a bargain or sale that is favorable to the buyer. SCORE! In the Citysearch sense, “Deals” refers to a feature on our website that highlights exclusive discounts, freebies, promotions, and savings opportunities at your local businesses. With over ten categories to choose from, including Food & Dining, Spa & Beauty, Shopping, and Hotels, we encourage you to pursue your dreams, your passions, and your ability to score… a deal.

know expert writers, connoisseurs, movers and shakers. In each of our major cities, our team includes one Captain and nine Scouts. Each individual has a highly trafficked personal blog or Web site, editorial credentials at a local newspaper or news blog, a large Twitter following, a high Klout score, or has published a book (or two) on local businesses or restaurants. If that wasn’t enough, they all happen to be wonderfully affable and snazzy dressers. But don’t take our word for it, here’s a photo of some of our amazing experts in Austin, TX.

Each of our expert scouts has built solid reputations and followings around town before we’ve even reached out to see if they’d work with us. One of the reasons why they’re trusted experts in their respective markets is because they DO NOT take payments or receive perks from local businesses.

Brevity is the soul of wit, lingerie and Citysearch tips. We think 140 characters, when well used, can be enough to tell a story about a business.

Only if you ask nicely. Just kidding! Yes, you can edit them within the business profile pages.

Sure, go ahead and write away. (If no one else is looking…)

Being the optimists that we are, we’d like to hope that your daily interactions with businesses (be it dining, retail, or service-related) are filled with exceptional customer service, delectable food, breathtaking ambiance, and appropriate pricing. However, this may not always be the case, which is why we welcome users to share all aspects of their experience: the good, the bad, even the OMG variety. Feel free to post a tip giving an honest and relevant complaint of an unsavory experience, but keep in mind that we do not permit dishonest, slanderous, or spam-y feedback, and tips of this type will be promptly removed.

Spam is any tip that isn’t giving visitors what they came for: an honest depiction of a business or that has nothing to do with the business being “reviewed” (we really don’t want an invite to your nightclub when we’re trying to find some good sushi in Brooklyn). Also, if it looks like a tip was written by a business or someone hired by said business we may remove it. The same goes for dishonest, slanderous “tips” about your competitors. To report spam please e-mail us:

Essentially you determine this. Our expert tips will be featured at the top of the page, followed by your submissions ranked chronologically and according to popularity.

With a certain sense of confidence, we hope. If you’re feeling confused however, here’s a short tutorial by our expert scout Ana Lilia.

You, the user, are an important part of our Citysearch family. Your Citysearch Profile allows others to see your activity – pictures you’ve uploaded, tips you’ve provided, businesses you’ve recommended – as well as the ability to connect with others within in the site. Upload a profile picture, ‘Like’ or comment on another’s tip, or check out what businesses your friends have recommended lately.

To reset your password, you’ll need the following: a 1/8th-size drillbit, a tablespoon of sassafras, an adjustable wrench, a 1977-model Ford Thunderbird seatbelt and a whole lotta patience. Actually, all you have to do is click here and watch our expert scout Ana Lilia explain .

The short answer: no. The longer version: heck no! The only thing Citysearch does with your Facebook information is validate your account upon login. That’s all.

We promise that ours will make you more popular with the cool kids, better equipped to deal with rising sea levels due to Global Warming and a snazzier dresser. Oh, and it’s also super easy to use and features our best and noteworthy restaurants and locales to make sure you’re always in the know.

The search ranking of a business is determined by the keywords that appear in a business’s description and tips. Further, we consider a number of other factors including: GEO location, number of tips and votes, and the business’s overall score. If all those fail, we blindfold our engineers and play pin-the-business on the search results page.

Here at Citysearch we do not give preference of any, er, sort to advertisers in determining our search ranking, thus furthering our commitment to providing honest, trust-worthy and relevant tips.

Sid E. Serch. And he thinks you’re cute, too.