Revdict.

Barnes & Noble

Book store · 2289 Broadway, New York, NY 10024, United States · United States

4.6 on Google · 3,361 reviews · View on Google Maps

Manipulation score

Clean

Completed Jul 19, 2026 · 54 reviews flagged

How this score works

The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70; Review Drive when the flags are mostly staff asking customers for named reviews. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.

Burst
— an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
Low activity account
— the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
Duplicate text
— the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.

Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations. Full methodology, signal definitions and known limits →

Case conclusion

What the numbers say

1,000 reviews examined

Google rating
4.6★

All reviews shown by Google

Not-flagged average
4.7★

946 examined reviews

Flagged
5%

54 of 1,000

Coverage
30%

1,000 of 3,361 Google reviews

“Not flagged” means no configured Revdict signal matched; it does not prove a review is genuine. Data fetched Jul 19, 2026.

Review brief

What reviews not flagged by Revdict say

Reviewers report that this multi-level bookstore offers a massive, well-organized selection of books, games, and gifts in a spacious and peaceful environment. Visitors frequently highlight the helpful staff and the in-store Starbucks café, though some express frustration over locked restrooms and reduced seating.

+ Repeated strengths

Large and Diverse Selection

Reviewers consistently praise the extensive inventory spanning multiple floors, including a great manga selection, children's books, and gifts.

1 supporting review

5★ · 2022-04-03

This place was bigger inside than I expected, 3 floors of books! And a nice selection with bestsellers and magazines on the bottoms level and a wide variety of genres on the top floor.

Atmosphere and Café

The store is frequently described as clean, quiet, and relaxing, featuring an on-site Starbucks café that provides a pleasant spot to unwind.

1 supporting review

5★ · 2026-02-28

Who doesn't love a good book store.

− Repeated complaints

Restroom Access

Reviewers frequently complain about locked restrooms that require a receipt code or purchase to access, as well as cleanliness issues in the facilities.

2 supporting reviews

1★ · 2025-07-04

You have to pay for the restroom. So I bought my stuff, received my code and entered a very dirty bathroom. It is nice to have a bookstore in the neighborhood but if it is going yo be like this well I wouldn’t mind it going away.

5★ · 2025-11-20

Bathroom code 74797

Reduced Seating

Several visitors report that recent layout changes removed comfortable seating and reading chairs, making it harder to sit down and browse.

1 supporting review

5★ · 2023-01-03

My husband looked at a book about calculus he liked. I went in hope of getting a godiva pumpkin cheesecake at the Starbucks cafe so sorry no longer have the chairs to sit in and lounge while browsing through as many books as my heart desire...

Inconsistent Customer Service

While many praise the staff, a subset of reviewers note occasional rude interactions or unhelpful service at checkout and in the café.

3 supporting reviews

4★ · 2022-03-28

This place is like a museum, you have to come back to see more. They are always fully stocked and most of the staff is pretty nice not including some of the older people who seem miserable to be there. the only reason I took a star off is...

4★ · 2026-02-27

Staff was extremely helpful. I was there for a book signing that ended around 9:30 PM and I needed directions to the nearest subway heading back to NJ and the young lady was so sweet, unfortunately I do not remember her name.

2★ · 2026-03-19

Worst B&N store I’ve been to so far — customer service at checkout is rude and unprofessional (the type that says “respectfully” in a rude manner). Should probably hire folk who actually likes working in customer facing roles, because it re...

Good for

  • Browsing a massive selection of books and gifts across multiple floors
  • Enjoying a quiet escape with coffee from the in-store café
  • Finding specific titles with the help of knowledgeable staff

Avoid if

  • You need unrestricted access to public restrooms without making a purchase
  • You prefer plentiful lounge chairs and dedicated reading spaces
  • You are allergic to dogs and sensitive to pet allergens on carpets

Recent pattern — Newer reviews increasingly mention the frustration of locked restrooms requiring receipt codes and the notable reduction of seating and reading nooks following store renovations.

Summarized from 475 text reviews not flagged by Revdict · 2022-03-08 to 2026-07-14 · Summaries can miss context; open the supporting reviews before deciding.

Review anatomy

Reviews per month

Reviews per month, total and flagged
MonthReviewsFlagged
Mar ’22210
Apr ’22270
May ’22212
Jun ’22211
Jul ’22200
Aug ’22231
Sep ’22201
Oct ’22262
Nov ’2291
Dec ’22221
Jan ’23251
Feb ’23280
Mar ’23182
Apr ’23141
May ’23200
Jun ’23284
Jul ’23271
Aug ’23230
Sep ’23181
Oct ’23170
Nov ’23210
Dec ’23240
Jan ’24327
Feb ’24131
Mar ’24151
Apr ’24150
May ’24210
Jun ’24190
Jul ’24223
Aug ’24130
Sep ’24220
Oct ’24171
Nov ’24120
Dec ’24152
Jan ’25211
Feb ’25191
Mar ’25190
Apr ’25162
May ’25220
Jun ’25182
Jul ’25254
Aug ’25130
Sep ’25220
Oct ’25202
Nov ’25141
Dec ’25261
Jan ’26122
Feb ’26120
Mar ’2691
Apr ’26192
May ’26141
Jun ’2640
Jul ’2660

Rating distribution

5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Evidence

  • burst 5 five-star reviews on 2024-01-14 vs avg 0.9/day weight 1
  • low activity account 47 reviews flagged weight 0.8
  • generic account 2 reviews flagged weight 1

Flagged reviews

Showing the 10 most suspicious of 54 flagged reviews.

A. C.B. profile photo

A. C.B.

132 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-01-15

generic account suspicion 85
Jeanne “beanso6” Waxman profile photo

Jeanne “beanso6” Waxman

568 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-07-03

great store, spacious, many sections well thought out and bonus coffee and food section upstairs. Looking for books in many categories, gifts for children and adults, many choices.
generic account suspicion 85
NYC Museando profile photo

NYC Museando

75 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-01-14

The store is closing January 14, 2024 so I went to buy books at a 50% discount. Not much left but still some good buys
burst suspicion 80
Sara Abraham profile photo

Sara Abraham

8 reviews

★★★★★

2024-01-14

burst suspicion 80
Nilsa Santiago profile photo

Nilsa Santiago

6 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-01-14

I telephoned and was given courteous and helpful responses.
burst suspicion 80
Michelle Blassingale profile photo

Michelle Blassingale

29 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-01-14

Hadn't been there for a while and stopped by to check for a book. It changed a lot overall in regards to the layout. Other than that, nothing has really changed. Great staff as always and everything in pretty much in the same general area it was before. Going back soon to complete my Cassandra Clare...
burst suspicion 80
Beatriz Hass profile photo

Beatriz Hass

25 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-01-14

burst suspicion 80
David Slemmer profile photo

David Slemmer

2 reviews

★★★★★

2022-05-07

low activity account suspicion 48
Juan Garcia profile photo

Juan Garcia

2 reviews

★★★★★

2022-06-22

low activity account suspicion 48
casie0214 profile photo

casie0214

1 review

★★★★★

2022-11-01

low activity account suspicion 48

Report generated Jul 19, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.

More investigations in United States