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
CleanCompleted 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★
- Not-flagged average
- 4.7★
- Flagged
- 6%
- Coverage
- 10%
All reviews shown by Google
944 examined reviews
56 of 1,000
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
Review anatomy
Reviews per month
| Month | Reviews | Flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Feb ’25 | 35 | 4 |
| Mar ’25 | 63 | 8 |
| Apr ’25 | 62 | 2 |
| May ’25 | 71 | 5 |
| Jun ’25 | 64 | 3 |
| Jul ’25 | 70 | 2 |
| Aug ’25 | 68 | 2 |
| Sep ’25 | 48 | 2 |
| Oct ’25 | 49 | 2 |
| Nov ’25 | 60 | 2 |
| Dec ’25 | 61 | 1 |
| Jan ’26 | 57 | 3 |
| Feb ’26 | 39 | 1 |
| Mar ’26 | 60 | 2 |
| Apr ’26 | 51 | 8 |
| May ’26 | 51 | 2 |
| Jun ’26 | 58 | 4 |
| Jul ’26 | 33 | 3 |
Rating distribution
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
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.
Latoya McCalla
133 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2026-03-20
Always so clean. Staff is very helpful and insightful
John
2 reviews
★★★★★
2025-02-21
Love it here
Joshua Gowins
2 reviews
★★★★★
2025-02-28
Tyler Benshop
1 review
★★★★★
2025-03-05
I don't even live in NYC anymore and I come here often when I am around
Kathleen Naidus
2 reviews
★★★★★
2025-03-07
Elvin K
1 review
★★★★★
2025-03-15
Larry Parker
2 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
2025-03-19
Good selection but workers could be nicer
Dani Álvarez
2 reviews
★★★★★
2025-03-20
Walter Hechem
2 reviews
★★★★★
2025-04-11
Report generated Jul 19, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.
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