Revdict.

Barnes & Noble

Book store · 33 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003, United States · United States

4.6 on Google · 10,242 reviews · View on Google Maps

Manipulation score

Clean

Completed Jul 19, 2026 · 56 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★

944 examined reviews

Flagged
6%

56 of 1,000

Coverage
10%

1,000 of 10,242 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 large multi-level bookstore offers an extensive selection of books, gifts, and media alongside a cafe. While many praise the welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff, others highlight issues with crowded spaces and long restroom lines.

+ Repeated strengths

Vast Selection

Reviewers frequently highlight the enormous multi-floor inventory and wide variety of books and media available.

1 supporting review

5★ · 2025-07-08

As a book lover it was great to see this 4 story Barnes and Noble. Left with 4 books I’ve been wanting (1 for every level 😅). Definitely recommended visiting as this is the only Barnes & Noble this big it actually made it into the Guinness...

Helpful Staff

Multiple reviewers note that employees are friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to assist with finding titles.

2 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-02-10

This is my first time going there in a long time the staff was very friendly polite and helpful and they had the books I wanted which was Stephen Kings novels I love a good read I will be returning in the near future to purchase more books...

5★ · 2025-07-04

Favorite B&N! The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgable about books. The staff at the registers don’t know much-but the staff on the floors, can walk you around and talk you through genres and release like a Google manual! LOL it’s g...

Cafe and Ambiance

Reviewers appreciate the cozy environment and the in-store cafe that provides a space to relax and read.

3 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-02-11

The atmosphere of the store was welcoming. Books and gift items were laid out quite appropriately. The cafe was bubbling with happy customers. I enjoyed my stay.

3★ · 2025-09-22

books were nice but like the bathroom STINKS

5★ · 2025-11-20

One of my favorite bookstores. It has 3 floors of books. And also an area that is for records and visual media. The bathrooms are clean. There is a huge selection of books to choose from. Finally the whole atmosphere is warm and cozy.

− Repeated complaints

Restroom Issues

Reviewers report long lines and cleanliness concerns regarding the public restrooms.

3 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-10-26

With four huge floors of books, toys, and gifts, you'd have to be sleepwalking through this Barnes & Noble to come up empty-handed. There's so much to find here, it can be a little overwhelming. That's why the Cafe is a great touch. Be awar...

3★ · 2025-12-15

This is the biggest Barnes & Noble in the world, so I was beyond excited to visit. The selection is immense, and every floor is packed with shelves to browse through—you could easily spend hours here just looking around. Unfortunately, the...

4★ · 2025-11-12

The bookstore is truly beautiful. But I can't give it 5 stars because I can't believe the restrooms are so disgusting and neglected. You'd think the restrooms in such a prestigious bookstore would be just as lovely. But no. I was with my fa...

Crowds and Seating

Several reviewers mention that the store gets very busy, making it difficult to find seating or navigate comfortably.

2 supporting reviews

5★ · 2026-07-06

Good

4★ · 2026-06-19

It’s always crowded and hard to find a place to sit.

Customer Service Inconsistencies

A few reviewers experienced rude behavior from individual employees or staff at the registers and cafe.

3 supporting reviews

1★ · 2025-03-23

Staff is incredibly rude, told me “I don’t care” after I had a question about how the buy one get one 50% didn’t ring up correctly and I was correct. I then proceeded to tell a manager about the rudeness and she was also extremely rude and...

4★ · 2025-04-07

Incredible store! Would be 5 stars if their cafe staff wasn’t ran by the rudest employees I’ve met in all of New York City.

2★ · 2025-12-02

I only come to this location for book signings. The cafe is always full, nowhere to sit and nowhere to charge a phone. The staff are either rude and dont want to help or friendly but useless. I really dont ask much but it seems if I can't f...

Good for

  • Browsing a massive selection of books across multiple floors
  • Attending author events and book signings
  • Relaxing with coffee in an in-store cafe

Avoid if

  • You require quick access to clean public restrooms without waiting
  • You easily get overwhelmed by large crowds and busy spaces
  • You are looking for a small, quiet, neighborhood bookstore experience
Summarized from 510 text reviews not flagged by Revdict · 2025-02-10 to 2026-07-18 · Summaries can miss context; open the supporting reviews before deciding.

Review anatomy

Reviews per month

Reviews per month, total and flagged
MonthReviewsFlagged
Feb ’25354
Mar ’25638
Apr ’25622
May ’25715
Jun ’25643
Jul ’25702
Aug ’25682
Sep ’25482
Oct ’25492
Nov ’25602
Dec ’25611
Jan ’26573
Feb ’26391
Mar ’26602
Apr ’26518
May ’26512
Jun ’26584
Jul ’26333

Rating distribution

5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Evidence

  • low activity account 54 reviews flagged weight 0.8
  • generic account 2 reviews flagged weight 1

Flagged reviews

Showing the 10 most suspicious of 56 flagged reviews.

Kent Woo profile photo

Kent Woo

260 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2025-07-01

If you are around the area and need a rest area, this will be the best place you can stop by and also have a nice refreshment and stack.
generic account suspicion 85
Latoya McCalla profile photo

Latoya McCalla

133 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2026-03-20

Always so clean. Staff is very helpful and insightful
generic account suspicion 85
John profile photo

John

2 reviews

★★★★★

2025-02-21

Love it here
low activity account suspicion 48
Joshua Gowins profile photo

Joshua Gowins

2 reviews

★★★★★

2025-02-28

low activity account suspicion 48
Tyler Benshop profile photo

Tyler Benshop

1 review

★★★★★

2025-03-05

I don't even live in NYC anymore and I come here often when I am around
low activity account suspicion 48
Kathleen Naidus profile photo

Kathleen Naidus

2 reviews

★★★★★

2025-03-07

low activity account suspicion 48
Elvin K profile photo

Elvin K

1 review

★★★★★

2025-03-15

low activity account suspicion 48
Larry Parker profile photo

Larry Parker

2 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

2025-03-19

Good selection but workers could be nicer
low activity account suspicion 48
Dani Álvarez profile photo

Dani Álvarez

2 reviews

★★★★★

2025-03-20

low activity account suspicion 48
Walter Hechem profile photo

Walter Hechem

2 reviews

★★★★★

2025-04-11

low activity account suspicion 48

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

More investigations in United States