Amazon Book Review Rules (Explained!)
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2024
- Having mixed feelings about how you can and can't get reviews on your Amazon book? Well, in this video, I go in depth and explain what the rules are. I also provide examples as to what you should and should not do.
I'll also finally clear the questionof whether or not Amazon's Terms Of Service allows for authors to give a free book in advanced of a Review and whether Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) are also allowed.
Here are some resources to provide you more information about Amazon's rules:
1. www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201929730
2. www.amazon.com/p/feature/abpto3jt7fhb5oc
3. www.amazon.com/gp/community-help/customer-review-guidelines-faqs-from-authors
Mentioned Videos in this Video:
1. How to Setup Your Amazon Author Page (Editorial Reviews):
• How to Setup an Amazon...
2. Why Were My Reviews Deleted by Amazon:
• What Happened to My Ki... - Jak na to + styl
Excellent explanation. So helpful. Navigating everything is difficult, and you make necessary information clear and concise. Thank you.
Dave, great advice, and most importantly for us learners, you broke a difficult subject down to bite size and simple pieces. Thank you.
Thank you, Dave. This was perfect information to answer my question about sending out prepublication books for a review.
Thanks. As always you provide succinct information that guides authors' decision making. Your humor helps:). PS I am really happy with my Atticus software and Publisher Rocket.
This was one of your best videos! Well researched and highly credible info. Great job & thanks !
Awesome and glad to help :)
Thank you so much for clarifying this. I've been losing sleep over trying to figure it all out! Awesome help.😀
This was so illuminating! Thank you, Dave, for giving clarity to an oft-confusing topic. I will be sharing this with other authors.
Wonderful!
Great clarification! Many thanks!
Thank you for this valuable detailed info. I appreciate it.
Thank so Much for all your work you make everything super easy & clear to understand 👍🏻
You're very welcome!
OMG I love the voices! LOL. Thanks so much for sharing this valuable info.
haha...you bet!
Great info! Thank you!
So clear. Thanks so much for explaining all the details.
Awesome and glad you liked it. I had just heard WAY too many versions of the 'explanation' that I needed to just sit down and figure out what was real. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you! I just published my first book and am on a steep learning curve. (Like, I innocently suggested to one of my Facebook groups that we swap reviews, until someone stepped in and said, "Uh...there are rules, and this is against the rules." Oops.) This videos is SOOO helpful because it explains what I CAN do. I was pausing and taking notes!
Awe, well super glad to have helped!
😁interesting
You are absolutely right! There are a lot of misunderstandings about reviews, and generally among my followers - - and, obviously, yours, too! - - many who misunderstand are the same ones who think they have have a handle on all the ins and outs of reviews. It’s why I wrote the third in my multi award -winning HowToDoItFrugally Series on reviews. I don’t however recommend paying for reviews. It’s about journalistic ethics-and not impressing professionals in the publishing industry anyway. And, hey! Kudos to your daughter. She has a terrific subject to work with!
Very clear. Thanks for the ideas and the information.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks Dave, this does clear up one of those grey areas, although now to look at the issues surrounding people that know you leaving reviews, particularly friends on social media!
Glad to help!
Brilliant. Really well-explained. And funny. We all need a bit of funny :) Thank you, Dave.
Thanks and glad you liked it.
So helpful -- as always.
Thanks Dave for clearing up these review points. I had a devil of a time getting Amazon to confirm to me ARC reviewers. Also, the Andy Weir example is pretty great. I'll have to think up something for my next book.
Hi TM, no problem. Really wanted to make sure to hammer home the info on that one because of all the confusion out there.
Thanks for the clarity.
You're welcome!
This was so incredibly helpful. Thanks Dave
Glad to hear it!
Thank you so much for clarifying this!
Absolutely and glad to help!
I'm standing at the precipice of self-publishing a book on how to stop skin picking, hair pulling, and more (some of you will understand ;). I'm excited! I didn't think there'd be so much to Amazon reviews, but I just learned a lot. Thank you!
Awesome and super glad to have helped
Fantastically executed video. Lots of informative stuff in here.
Thanks! That means a lot to hear :)
Dave, you just cleared a lot of questions running through my mind, thanks mate! One quick suggestion: please provide a video card link whenever you said 'we have a video for that'. It helps to quickly jump to that in a new tab. I have seen them already, but it helps others. :)
Will do. Thanks for the reminder. I'll put it in the description.
Actually it is already in the description.
Oh yes. Thank you! My bad.
Hey Dave. Once again, clear information about cloudy statements about getting a review. Thanks D.C.S.
Very welcome
very helpful thankyou for relieving my anxiety on this score. YOu are a legend! Jean
Awe shucks...glad to help!
Dave, thank you for the clarification on Amazon reviews. I am just getting more into my marketing this gave me several strategies. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, great video! Good information clearly explained.
Vesa Turpeinen awesome and glad you liked it.
Very helpful. Thanks.
You're welcome!
That's very informative. I understand a lot more about Amazon's review system now. Thank you
Glad it helped!
Cheers Dave, good to get some clarity. I especially appreciate the tip regarding "Editorial Reviews."
Awesome and you bet. I still think Editorial Reviews are one of the most underutilized but BEST ROI actions an author can take.
@@Kindlepreneur Thanks, Dave. I need to publish a revised edition of my book published 30 years ago and was wondering how to use some of the old reviews, so your tip re Editorials was a lifesaver! Or book-saver.
@@MuzMURRAY Haha...nice.
Thank you for an informative video. My first novel is back from my editor and now I'm waiting for my cover to be finalized. Should I wait until the cover is completed and I've formatted the novel in its final Amazon kindle format before giving it away to ARC reviewers? I hope to launch by the end of March 2023 as I immerse myself in marketing.
That spelled it out very clearly. Thanks.
You bet!
Great video Dave! What about for audible?
Thanks for the informative video. One question; How can I get more than the 5 Proof Copies to send out to my team of reviewers, prior to the listing going live?
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Thanks Dave! But how does this work for KDP select to make sure I'm following the rules?
Keep the content coming Dave :) #Believe
So happy to see you here Evan :) #believe #freedom :)
Thanks Evan - likewise
Is there an app or program that screens the purchase receipt to create an email list from that or you do it manually?
Hey Dave - I have two specific questions related to reviews from my book launch team that I can't seem to find straight answers to. 1) Is it important to have them first actually BUY the book so their reviews can be "Amazon Verified Reviews?" It will be easier to instruct them (and they're probably more likely to leave a review) if I don't ask them to go through the extra steps to first BUY the book... But I will if it helps significantly. 2) In terms of timing, is it better (or possibly worse) to have them (purchase and) review the book while it's in pre-release instead of waiting until release day?
Great detailed video. The voices also make me laugh.
Haha...thank you - I had a lot of fu making that.
All great info!
Thanks and glad you liked it.
Hi Dave, Thanks for the video that I found most interesting. The main thing is that as you say, no matter which online editing program you use, you still need the services of a good editor.
Yup! Most definitely.
Thanks for the information. As a first time Amazon publisher, my mind is spinning. I've been using all your products to teach me the ins and outs of the process😬
Question…. What qualities as a close friend when Amazon states reviews can’t be from family or close friends?
I'm trying to figure out who I can ask to give reviews.
this is fab! tx!!
Glad to have helped!
Always so informative! Dave, with the insert cards, some people recommend leaving a personal email address to use for issues with the product. Is there an email service that is considered more 'professional' than something like gmail or hotmail?
I personally don't like using my personal email . I'll just use the one that is best associated with my website. But if you create a gmail or hotmail, those are fine - I prefer Google though :)
Great clarification and tips!
Thanks!
You talk too fast!
@@jeanettekeim7609 thank you for the feedback. I listen at 4x so sometimes I catch myself speaking faster
Excellent--I learned some new stuff here, especially the Andy Weir review-requesting strategy. Dave Chesson is an essential resource for authors. I don't know what I'd do without Kindlepreneur!
Awe...thanks! That totally made my day to read :)
i recently purchased a Paperwhite Kindle and am using the Kindle unlimited. At the end of a book i get a pop up to rate 1-5 stars, i don't see where to give a book review beyond that on the website. Can i give a written review if i read for free with unlimited? I had Audible the reviews were built right in with the library why not unlimited? Authors are trading E-book recommendations with each other on my kindle same genre at the end of a book.
Dave, there's still a little confusion about the word "advanced." Is that simply in advance of writing a review, or is in advance of publishing the book. Because after the book is published, a copy of the book might be considered a bribe.
I want to leave you a review here. When I first started writing 4 years ago, I read all the expert advice I could find. And it all made sense to me. But now that I sell more books than most of those experts, I've realized that much of this advice was hooey (guess I'm showing my age since that's the first word that came to mind). BUT... Dave Chesson's information has always remained useful and informative. 5-stars
There are two places where Amazon publicly states something that I think will make this clear:
1. Amazon (Mr. Chee Chu) stated that they prohibit the sending of a product in return for a reviews, but specifically said they allowed books to be sent for a review.
2. In Amazon's FAQ about Reviews, to the question "Can I pay someone to write a review," Amazon responded with "No. We don't allow any form of compensation for a review, other than a free copy of the book provided upfront."
So, with two direct public statements by Amazon, I think it's safe to say that the word "advanced" means sending the book in advance...not in advance of the publishing of a book. Plus, sending a book in advance is not a bribe. Links to the sources for these are in the Video description above. I hope that helps.
And thanks for the review - that totally makes my day :)
Hi Dave, First I want to thank you your videos are very helpful :) I would like to ask a question, If I want to send copies of my paperback to people to review, what would be best, Proof copies or Author copies?
Proof would be cheaper
Thanks Dave.
No problem!
I've just seen a video by an author that said that she asked for a lot of reviews from family and friends and it was accepted. I thought that that was forbidden in Amazon rules. So' is it okay after all?
Great video, Dave -- as per usual. One lingering question, though: Can we send out an ARC while the book is available only through Kindle Unlimited? I know that Zon wants to be the sole source of distribution for KU authors, but does that mean that ARCs can't be sent out via email?
That's a great question and to tell you the truth, I'm not 100% sure. My belief would be that you can't give an ARC out while on KU. I'd say that because I've seen where people got hit by Amazon due to offering their book on their website (both paid and as an email opt-in).
Thanks Dave..Could you leave a review for my book? Ha ha
thank you
Great advise. Indie is tough. Sales are tough. Book reviews are tough. Now, the writing was easy in comparison. lol.
Rules still good in 2021? Great video, definitely looking into Campfire. Thanks!
Yup - they still haven't changed and thank you!
Fantastic.
Many thanks!
Thought your pacing and subject coverage was good. Your pace allowed what you said to be absorbable. Your examples were particularly apt conveying the coverage of the product, and the use of the plagiarism function -- albeit opposite its normal use -- was a terrific idea. Also, remarking on Grammarly not replacing editors was an important observation. I thought the video was organized very well, and was much more effective than most videos I have viewed.
Thanks Jack!
How does the $50. Requirement fit in? Does a reviewer need to have made $50. in purchases over 12 months to have the review stick?
What are the best pay-for-service distributors of ebooks that are provided as advance copies for reivewers? Also, I heard that reviews submitted by those who have not purchased $50 worth of Amazon goods in the prior month get screened away / not posted. Is that so?
For someone to be able to leave a review in Amazon, they need to have made at least $50 in purchases. As for which is the best pay for service distributors, that depends on a LOT of other factors.
Thank you Dave, really great video! If I'm successful, I'll come back to thank you so more :)
Awesome and glad to have helped!
no you mean when your'e successfull right anthony.
ghostfrequency I like your attitude, GF!😎
Great info! What if we send an Amazon book link to reviewers? Can Amazon track that and delete their reviews? Thanks
More than likely, no.
Thanks a lot for your valuable information, Dave. How does Amazon know, who my friends are or, whether I promised someone compensation for a review (in a private email or text message)? I am slightly frightened.
could be through a multitude of things - you send them a link that is tagged, your Social Media is connected to your Amazon account, you have the same address, etc. As for compensation in an email - I don't think they can track that.
@@Kindlepreneur what is a link that is tagged? THX for answering!
I just want to know How to leave a review on Amazon! I can't find a place to leave it. I get directed back to the portal to Buy it.
Dave: Excellent Video on Amazon Reviews. The real challenge after you send a copy of your book to friends for a review, is how to get it as "verified purchase review"? You either have to reduce it down to 99 cents for a day or two, or make it completely free so they can go to Amazon and order it. However, if I upload it to the Editorial Section, then I don't need to worry about having them order a copy through Amazon? I can just receive their review directly, then up load it myself? Is this ok to do within Amazon rules?
Hi Dave, great video! Are this rules still valid in 2019?
Thanks and yup - still applies.
@@Kindlepreneur Awesome ! Thank you Dave:))
Hi Dave, super insightful and helpful.
1. Is this still valid in 2020? (I read the content in the links below and it seems to be the same)
2. Do I have to get my ARC team to buy the book? I've heard rumors that Amazon removes book reviews if people didn't buy the book. Sounds weird, but I wanted to check.
3. I also heard Amazon adds a timestamp when you purchase a book, so if someone buys it and immediately reviews it (because they had an advance copy) Amazon removes those reviews. Any idea if that's true?
Thanks for everything that you do to help authors!
1. Absolutely
2. No, they do not. Their review is marked as Unverified though.
3. There are a LOT of things that goes into Amazon's algorithm to deciding if a review should automatically be removed. Some theorize that a purchase and immediate review is one of them, but it isn't a sole factor that automatically and always triggers.
@@Kindlepreneur Thank you for the quick response!
This is now June 2018. Zon has deleted thousands of VERIFIED PURCHASE reviews. You are NOT allowed to say: this is my fav author/I love this author/no personal reviews. They have really come down on honest reviewers. I think the only way around this is "pre-orders". Oh, and if you say you got an ARC etc-you are done. This is why I'm going WIDE, I am tired of BIG BROTHER(aka Amazon) having so many rules. Their time would be better spent on KU stuffers.
Thanks! How exactly do you go about giving away (digital?) review copies?
Email them a copy of the book.
Kindlepreneur but then it’s not a ‘verified purchase’? -but it still makes sense?
@@anderslarsen616 Yup...it's not a verified purchase.
Should arc reviewers mention they are an arc reviewer? I’ve seen people say this is bad and that mention of being an arc reviewer with get the review deleted.
Hi
This was a heck of an eye- opening vid that got me thinking all morning since it turns over everything I thought I knew about getting reviews. I thank you so much for having posted it.
Just two questions:
1)as this is from 2017 does it still apply after the recent updates to Amazon's terms and conditions? I thought this freebie/review book exception got nixed in the recent updates.
2) NetGalley question (Netgalley article link brought me here):
I read with interest your kindlepreneur article about NetGalley (but couldn't find a contact link).
I wonder if there was any chance of a misprint? In explaining the benefits of NetGalley, you wrote,
"That means that your book could get reviewed by a local blogger and posted on a popular site as a result."
As a new author, I'd really hope the ARC of the book does not get posted to any site, but rather the link to purchase it on Amazon would. Yet that's not what's there. Otherwise, why do it if the review's not going to funnel viewers back to the publisher's sales page?
Hello Dave, first of all THANKS for this information. I have only 2 questions:
1) If my book is already published and I have some emails of people who may leave a review.. is it OK with Amazon rules if a send the book as a gift?
2) If I give the book as a gift or If I run a KU free promotion.. Can both of them be a Verified Review?
Thanks a lot!
Greetings from Mexico
Like the video says above, yes...but so long as you follow the rules - which are explained in the video.
Thanks Dave! And thanks for KDP Rocket, I bought it and it really saves a lot of work!
Awesome Enrique and glad to help!
conatct me skype:- dolar.mahmud70 facebook/itsmedolar
if you need any amazone book review acs ..
Thanks for the great video!
Question:
Let's say you find a reviewer who agrees to write a review.
The only way they will get your ebook is if you send them the file or they get it for Free days on KDP (on one of the 5 days).
But then, these reviews will not be Verified Purchase and may not show at all, right? Or may not have the same weight.
Thoughts?
KU books or PDFs/mobi sent via email don't get verified book reviews. However, Kindle Select books do. Some people tell the reviewer to purchase it, and they'll reimburse them, but this is against Amazon's TOS.
Do you suggest go to with select (although the disadvantages as some would say), until you get enough reviews and BSR and than to disable it?
Select or not to Select, KU or not to KU, they all have their pro's and cons and it really depends on you, your following and what you intend to spend the most time on. I've got a podcast episode all about this and I even brought on two guests who say their side of what is best. In the end, there is something really big to learn from it both that was discovered by listening to both sides: kindlepreneur.com/e4-kindle-select-vs-ku-vs-other-markets/
Hey Dave I just talked to somebody on upwork which provides a service to find reviewers on amazon.
He said :
"They won't list it as verified. They follow Amazon tos and will list they received the book for free."
snpy.in/t3NNJU .
I am a bit confused now. Do the reviewers "choose" how to list it? and is it against the TOS to list a free download as a purchase?
What he meant to say is that "the review won't be seen as "verified" on Amazon." No, they do not choose how it is listed...amazon automatically does. He's just saying that because the reviewers will not purchase the book, it won't be seen as verified.
So why is it that a guy who purchased my book and read it not being allowed to leave a review. He says they say he doesn’t satisfy the community guidelines. This is a person I know. Does that factor in? Thank you!
It could be that, or it could be that he hasn't spent enough money on Amazon to leave reviews (there is certain monetary value of like $50 or something like that) or it could be that he has too many reviews too soon, or it could be that they have connected him to you through some way.
With him I’ll be it’s the minimum spend. My book may be his first buy on amazon haha!
@@ToddThomas Ah, okay yeah that would be it then.
So, to be clear, you can give free books in exchange for reviews AFTER publication, correct??
Yes
@@Kindlepreneur thx
Does this mean I can use a FREE book as a reader magnet on my website and offer it PERMAFREE on KDP?
Yes
@@Kindlepreneur Thanks, Dave
Family is easy to spot, but how does Amazon know if it's a close friend?
Connections to you or previous shopping - like you shipped something to them or they used a link you created (see this article: kindlepreneur.com/amazon-super-url/)
How much money does one need to self publish a book, roughly how much is needed ?
It really depends...you can actually do everything yourself like editing or designing a book cover - but I wouldn't recommend it. So, anywhere from $0 - thousands...and anywhere in between.
But I will say, that when I publish my books, all said and done, I spend about $500 in production - but I'm really good with Photoshop and do my own covers.
Thanks for the tip.
No problemo.
You should do a video on this topic !
I cant review anything. Says I violated terms?????????
There are lots of reasons why that could be the case. Sometimes, if you haven't purchased enough product but have left a lot of reviews, or Amazon believes that you're reviewing products or books of people you know, or they have reason to believe that you have violated their TOS, they will remove the ability for your Amazon account to leave reviews.
@@Kindlepreneur I buY mu sudoku puzzle books on Ebay. It's always cheaper than Amazon. Thriftbooks sells thru Ebay. Why do you see a book for say 3.98 then see the same book again listed for 200.00.? I see these crazy book prices alot. Makes no sense. I saw one book for nearly 1000.00.
@@robertclark4929 True but many shoppers prefer Amazon because they usually have better shipping and more reliability. Amazon's a bit more controlling...haha. As for pricing, that could be for a multitude of reasons.
the background music is disturbing
I think the word you’re looking for is “distracting”
Gran trabajo #AudreCyber, me alegra mucho que estés luchando contra estos matones. Necesitamos hacer todo lo posible para salvar a las personas mayores y a la gente corriente de estos despreciables estafadores.;