I often write about Amazon reviews, as it is one of the most important aspects of marketing for many people and Amazon seems to keep changing the rules!
Now, Amy Collins of The Book Designer published an update in the form of Frequently Asked Questions. I’m sharing here the most common ones:
Can Anyone post a review on Amazon?
To contribute to Customer Reviews, you must have spent at least $50 on Amazon.com using a valid credit or debit card in the past 12 months. Promotional discounts don’t qualify towards the $50 minimum.
May I ask people to write a review of my book?
Book authors and publishers may provide free or discounted copies of their books to readers, as long as the author or publisher does not require a review in exchange or attempt to influence the review. Also, you are allowed to discount your book during your launch but you must offer the same price to everyone. You cannot offer special pricing just to reviewers, nor offer any bonuses or anything in exchange for a review.
The ONLY thing you are allowed to do is offer a review copy of your book to a reviewer specifying that a review is only optional. Also, the review has to clearly mention this was a review copy.
The big line we all need to stay behind is that we should not ask those we know or work with to write a review. I know a lot of us have readers who are big fans and stay in touch and follow us online. But if your readers have become close connections online and in life, they may find that their reviews are now suspect. Your fans and clients should feel free to post reviews. But you should not ask them to. Encouraging Amazon reviews in social media posts can be considered in violation of this policy.
So, my advice is to ask potential ARC reviewers to add in their reviews a line similar to the following ones:
- “I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book”
- “I was provided a pre-publication copy of this book by the author/publisher with no obligation for a review”
Basically, make sure it’s clear that no exchange (monetary or otherwise) took place, and that your review is honest and voluntary. Which, I hope, is always the case anyway.
Is it true that people are not allowed to post reviews on products they haven’t purchased?
Not in the case of books. Amazon knows that book publishers and authors have supplied review copies of books to reviewers for generations. Amazon does not allow reviews for products unless the reviewer has bought the product unless it is a book.
Why are so many reviews being taken down?
A year or so ago, Amazon changed their review policies. Content and activities consisting of advertising, promotion, or solicitation (whether direct or indirect) is not allowed, including:
- Creating, modifying, or posting content in exchange for compensation of any kind (including free or discounted products, refunds, or reimbursements) or on behalf of anyone else.
- Offering compensation or requesting compensation (including free or discounted products) in exchange for creating, modifying, or posting content. (Book publishers are EXEMPT to this rule as stated by Amazon above)
- Reviews may only include URLs or links to other products sold on Amazon.
- Customers in the same household may not post multiple reviews of the same product.
- Creating, modifying, or posting content regarding your (or your relative’s, close friend’s, business associate’s, or employer’s) products or services.
This means that you should not ask anyone you know to post a review. In the past, Amazon allowed for colleagues and acquaintances to post reviews. They allowed for clients and those connected with your business to post, but not anymore.
Reviews in violation of these policies may be taken down.
What can I do if a review is taken down unfairly?
First of all, Amazon does not regularly review posted content. However, if a review is taken down there’s not much you can do, I’m afraid. If Amazon determines that the review in question violates their policies, they own the site and have the final say. Also, if your review is removed or rejected, you may not resubmit a review on the same product, even if the resubmitted review includes different content.
The Book Designer advises authors to complain and make a stink in the hopes that, if enough complaints come in, Amazon may change their policies again.
Personally, however, I have heard too many stories of Amazon removing even more reviews as a result of authors complaining to risk that. So, my advice would be to just move on and run free day promotions instead.
The big things to keep in mind when planning to get more Amazon reviews:
- Focus on professional book reviewers and bloggers.
- You CAN offer book reviewers review copies of your book.
- Do not solicit Amazon reviews on your social media page or website. Suggest, instead, that they post reviews online anywhere they prefer to shop.
- Do not ask anyone you know (even on social media) to post a review. Let the reviews come organically.
- Work on promoting sales and use ads and keyword bids to increase sales and your reviews will grow.
Finally, check out this post by Bookbub Insights on getting reviews.
Charles Yallowitz said:
Great post, but I have a question. Are reviews showing up organically these days? I’m seeing a lot of complaints about how reviews aren’t coming in like they used to. Many of my friends who used to post a lot of reviews aren’t even bothering because the purges have them thinking it isn’t worth it. So, how can you counter what might be a rising apathy? Honestly, I really do wish there was a way to get more reviews to come in since it feels like now we can only sit and pray.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Hey, don’t knock it: praying has to be the best marketing technique I’ve come across so far 😀
After last week’s free days for Emotional Beats, I got an extra review for it. So, that works.
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Charles Yallowitz said:
I pray all the time and get nowhere. Then again, I pray to Trickster Gods, which might be why things don’t work out.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
See? There is an explanation for everything 😀
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Staci Troilo said:
Great summary, Nicholas. I didn’t know social media requests for reviews were banned. (I don’t do that, but I didn’t know it was against Amazon’s ToS.)
I find it increasingly difficult to get reviews on Amazon, I suspect because reviewers know their efforts may get pulled so they don’t waste their time. I’ve had reviews I’ve received and reviews I’ve written disappear. It’s frustrating, but I don’t have a solution. Amazon is too big a player for me to mount a defense against.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
You took the words right out of my mouth 🙂
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Marcia said:
Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Food for thought from Nicholas C. Rossis today. I’ve even quit tweeting totally generic review requests without links to my books. You know the type: “Love a Book, Leave a Review.” It’s not worth the risk. I’m just hoping enough people enjoy my books to review them all on their own initiative. Meanwhile, I’m looking for other ways to market, something I’ve been bad about to date. Check this post out to be sure you don’t run afoul of the latest rules, and remember to share, too. Thanks, and thanks to Nicholas for such a clear, concise, and informative post. 🙂
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Marcia said:
Very informative and helpful post, Nicholas! One question. What about the “calls to action” type review requests added at the end of your books? I started doing that a couple of years ago, right after “The End.” I add a message there saying something aking to “If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com.” Should we be removing those, just to be safe?
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Marcia said:
GAH. Typos galore! Sorry. I meant “our” not “your” books, and “akin” not “aking.” Having a bad eye day. 😦
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol–no worries 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I, too, have these. After all, readers have already bought and read the book, so I think we’re safe 🙂
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Jemima Pett said:
I think ‘If you enjoyed this book, why not leave a review at the place you purchased it’ is perfectly acceptable. It is, after all, what Amazon really wants – genuine reviews.
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Marcia said:
AH, good point, Jemima. Leaving it unspecific would surely remove any issues. Now I have to consider whether or not I want to change all my books. They have, as Nicholas says, already bought them and read them by that point, and they weren’t offered anything in return. *thinking here* 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I agree completely!
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pameladbeverly said:
Of course we can use ads because we have to pay for those, don’t we?
Oy very, I’m getting more and more cynical because every day there’s something new to deal with regarding reviews being removed or books being removed but you’re not supposed to ask Amazon why.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Well… yes. Ads are fine because you have to pay. Expect things to get worse–I have a post scheduled on that 🙂
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maliaann said:
Reblogged this on Writing for the Whole Darn Universe.
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colonialist said:
The old old story. You need reviews for people to become interested in reading your book. You need readers in order to get reviews. Classic Catch 22.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
How true! I love that book, by the way 🙂
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kimwrtr said:
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Stephen Geez said:
Thanks, Nicholas. As Amazon grows ever more sophisticated at spotting patterns and connections, we need to keep up with what they are enforcing. Following their guidelines isn’t enough; we need to look like we follow them, too. Reblogged at https://GeezWriter.com and https://GeezWriter.WordPress.com.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
It’s that old saying about Caesar’s wife, isn’t it? Mind you, no one said anything when Caesar was doing it with Cleopatra… 😀
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Don Massenzio said:
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Great information on Amazon review restrictions from this post on Nicholas Rossis’ blog.
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Anna Dobritt said:
Reblogged this on Anna Dobritt — Author.
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dgkaye said:
Great share Nicholas. I don’t want to jinx myself but I’ve managed to stay under the radar posting many reviews. If I’m reviewing a book I didn’t purchase I always write: Disclaimer: I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. Seems to work for me! 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Same here, actually; so far I’ve been lucky. Let’s hope our luck holds!
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dgkaye said:
Lol yes! 🙂
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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