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How to Get Free and Honest Book Reviews on Amazon

By c.s. lakin.

Imagine seeing an ad pop up on Facebook advertising your recently published book—an ad you didn’t pay for. Imagine seeing your book appearing first in a line of recommended books on the product pages of similar books, and you didn’t pay for a sponsored ad.

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Imagine hearing from readers that they learned about your book from an Amazon email blast that encouraged them to buy it. Wouldn’t it be great to get all that free promotion? You can—when you get enough authentic, approved reviews on Amazon.

Will Amazon Promote Your Book?

While Amazon’s algorithms are somewhat of a mystery, it’s a known truth that when your book accrues a certain number of reviews, or a lot of reviews in a short amount of (unspecified) time, Amazon kicks into gear multiple promotions for your book. Free promotion that would probably cost a fortune if you had to foot the bill.

The magic number to start the ball rolling in this free promotion is 50. Fifty reviews merits cross promotion and ranking your book higher than others in the same categories based on search terms. With 75 reviews, Amazon is triggered to send email blasts to customers who’ve bought similar books. Amazon utilizes customer data to provide relevant recommendations.

I get tickled when I’m reading a blog and suddenly one of my books pops up on the side—an Amazon-sponsored ad—suggesting I buy that book. No thanks, already have it. But it brings a smile to my face. Did I mention I love free promotion? I am sure you will too.

Every time your book is reviewed, the algorithms are updated, and your book’s internal ranking increases.

While Amazon isn’t the only site where writers need reviews, it’s where most customers shop for books. Reviews you get on Amazon can often be used on other platforms, but no other marketplace engages in free author promotion as extensively and generously as Amazon.

Getting numerous, honest reviews on Amazon should be at the top of your market strategy list. Having the best keywords might help your book turn up in search results, but if you don’t have a slew of reviews, your book will be overlooked or dismissed by a large number of potential readers. High numbers of reviews adds cred to your brand and your talent as a writer .

Amazon also allows authors to give away their book for free for 5 days over a 90-day period (when enrolled in KDP Select). Why is this helpful in getting book reviews? Because it gives you great exposure to potential readers who might pick up your book because it’s free.

This also increases your chances of ranking high in the Top 100 Free Books list, exposing your title to many more potential readers (readers who might very well write a review for it—but watch for my warning further down).

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What are amazon’s rules on reviews.

Due to problems with dishonorable people, Amazon has developed tight rules regarding reviews. While these might seem annoying to authors, they serve to protect unscrupulous people from publishing gobs of fake or paid reviews to skew rankings and algorithms.

Here are some of the things Amazon forbids and flags (and may cause your book to be removed): paid reviews, reviews garnered through bribery (you offer something free in exchange for the review), and swapped reviews (arranging with other authors via social media sites to review each other’s books, which usually does not include actually reading said books).

What Are Verified vs. Unverified Reviews

While it can’t be quantified, it’s likely that some potential customers look at how many reviews are “verified” purchases as opposed to unverified. A “verified” purchase means the reviewer bought your book on Amazon, whereas anyone who acquired your book via some other means (purchased elsewhere, given as a gift, a free ARC) will have their review marked “unverified.”

As a potential customer, I don’t pay attention to that. I’m more interested in what the reviewer says about the book. I know that many authors—myself included—send out files of their books to people for an honest review, pre- and post-publishing. So some of those reviews are going to be unverified. But it stands to reason, having predominately verified reviews could positively influence some potential readers. I wouldn’t stress about this.

How To Balance Quantity and Quality

Getting book reviews takes work and time, and the last thing we writers want to do is waste time, spinning our wheels and getting no useful results.

However, it should go without saying that we don’t just want a lot of reviews; we want good reviews. Ones that are thoughtful, detailed, and personal. And that can take time to accumulate.

It stands to reason that having a lot of positive reviews for your book is social proof that you’ve written something worth reading.

If you want to get a lot of reviews fast, and you’re willing to pay, promo sites like Bookbub (there are many!) can help. I’ve gotten up to 50,000 free downloads in one week via a Bookbub ad offering one of my ebooks for free. And that led to a truckload of reviews (not to mention future sales of my book and other installments in my series as a bonus). However, it can also be hard to land such ads, as the competition for slots can be fierce. It’s worth repeated submission, though, for the book review payoff.

Another way to garner reviews is to do some legit giveaways (but, here, you again run the risk of getting some negative or not-so-great reviews because the winner may not generally read or like your genre). Some of the sites writers use to do giveaways are Goodreads , Bookriot , BookishFirst , BookDivas , FreshFiction , and  Kingsumo , to list a few.

While it can take some time, researching top Amazon ( Vine ) reviewers can net you some weighty reviews. You can peruse the list of these 1,000 reviewers and find ones who review books like yours (and if they leave a lot of negative reviews, beware). Even if you only get a handful of Vine reviewers to read and review your book, that can be super helpful and influential.

You can Google “free book review sites” and look for ones that promote honest, legal reviews, like OnlineBookClub . Reedsy has a list of 200+ book blogs, updated for 2020, that you can use to find reviewers of your type of book.

How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon: 3 Effective Strategies

You might utilize the above strategies to get a lot of book reviews quickly, but if you’re a writer hoping to build a solid, enduring, and stellar reputation, you’ll want glowing reviews to come in steadily that come across authentic and sincere.

Here are 3 aspects to focus on for the long run:

1. Develop Relationships

One suggestion that I never see mentioned but is one that has served me very well is to attend writers’ conferences. Not only I but many writers I know have gotten endorsement blurbs from some of the most successful blockbuster authors by attending conferences and creating genuine relationships.

Let me emphasize those last three words. If you go around conferences strong-arming famous authors [read: ingratiating yourself], begging them to spend precious hours of their life reading your book and write a glowing review, you are going to be labeled a pesky pariah.

Conferences provide opportunities to rub elbows with these authors, and engaging in sincere and considerate conversation could open the door to a generous and willing heart happy to help out. You may find only one, but that’s a great start!

This is also good advice for any effort to garner reviews—be it from friends, writing associates, or your coworkers at your job. Don’t be pushy or whiny. People who sense your humility and genuineness will be drawn to take you up on your request to read and review. Give it a try!

2. Build Your Mailing List

The best way to get quality reviews is to reach out to those on your mailing list, your social media contacts, and those you’ve sent advance copies to. Ask them in a friendly, non-pressuring way to leave a review, expressing gratitude for their taking the time to read and review your book.

Even if you haven’t finished writing your book, you should get a mailing list started and work on building it. These folks are going to be your most faithful fans and reviewers. Some authors set up street teams (a group of super fans) and get them enthusiastically involved in sharing news about their new release, and once the book is published , they’re usually asked to post their honest reviews right away. With a mailing list, you can share excerpts of your new release and offer an ARC to any who want to read and review. I do this often with my new releases.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t bribe, coerce, or cajole.
• When you send a copy of your book to a potential reader, thank them and tell them: “Be sure that when you leave a review on Amazon for me, you state that you were given a free copy in exchange for writing an honest review.”
• DO ask them to give you an honest review. DON’T threaten them. You’ll make more friends this way, stay out of trouble, and have a clear conscience (reread above section on developing relationships).
• Be professional. Remember: there is nothing disgraceful about asking for reviews or blurbs of endorsement for your book.
• Provide a choice of epub, PDF, and mobi (Kindle) files. You can save a Word doc as a PDF, and there are free sites online that can convert from one file type to another. I like to put my cover on the first page, and it’s wise to test the file (send the mobi to your Kindle and download a program that can open an epub file (I use Adobe Digital Editions )

3. Encourage Readers to Leave a Review Right after They Read

While Amazon emails customers to leave reviews some days after they purchase anything on their site, a personal encouragement at the back of your book, along with a link (if an ebook), will probably persuade readers to leave that honest review.

This is what I write: “The best way to thank an author for writing a book you enjoyed is to leave an honest review! Click here to post your review of [book title]. Thank you so much for taking the time to let other readers know what you thought of my book.” I put a hyperlink in connected to the words click here (don’t show the very long URL).

If your book isn’t published yet, you will have to wait until you’ve at least got it up for presale (one good reason to use that feature) in order to get your Amazon book page URL. Once you have that, plug in the URL to your request for a review.

Once the book is published, you can use the link that directly goes to the book review page for your book. Here’s how you do it:

• Go to your product page once your book is live, click on the reviews button, then scroll down to the bottom and click on “see all __ customer reviews. Click on that link.
• Now, grab the URL in the search bar at the top.
• Only grab to the end of the numbers and include the forward slash. It should look something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Colorado-Hope-Historical-Western-Romance-ebook/ product-reviews /B00PIAD22K/

Notice that the URL includes “product-reviews” in there. That’s the nice, clean link to your reviews page.

So what happens when the reader clicks that link?

She gets taken right to the top of your review page where there is a nice button that says “write a review.”

Why You Should Never Stop Attracting Reviews

In order to stay ranking high and keep Amazon’s algorithm attention, you’ll need to get a steady stream of reviews over time. That’s why it’s not a great idea to tell all your fans or mailing list recipients to post their review on one specific day. It’s better if they flow in as a stream and not a tsunami.

Don’t run that free KDP promotion during launch week . Offer your book for free one or two days a month, and that will draw in new readers whose reviews will come in over time.

Consider using a free, reputable book review site—maybe one each month—to attract new readers. I recently did a NetGalley promotion (yes, I did pay for that), and netted a lot of readers who downloaded (for free) my book file. NetGalley reviewers are bloggers, librarians, booksellers, educators, journalists, and members of the media. Reviewers give your book a rating and offer feedback. My next step is to contact the reviewers who haven’t yet left a review and politely ask if they would post one on Amazon.

Keep in mind that any reviews you get, you can manually enter them through your Author Central account on Amazon so the reviews will show up on your product page. So no worries about pressuring readers to head over to Amazon to post it themselves. However, these reviews appear on your page’s Editorial Reviews section, not in the usual Amazon review pages (and so won’t be ranked by 1-5 stars or counted as part of your number of reviews).

Go back to your list of book bloggers and review sites. Consider contacting blogs on a weekly basis to accrue new contacts and get more reviews. Keep a chart of who you contact when.

How to Avoid Negative Reviews

Let’s face reality here: you will get negative reviews. But you’re in good company. The most famous, successful authors have plenty of negative reviews. Not everyone will love your book.

The few negative reviews I’ve gotten over the years have mostly been from readers who picked up my book during a free promotion. Some admit in their review “I never read this genre” or “this isn’t my type of book.” Meaning, they wouldn’t have bought my book (which makes me groan and mutter, “So why did you bother reading my book?”).

This is part of the tradeoff with doing free promotions. You will probably get reviews from those who don’t like or understand your genre, and, sadly, you can’t block or forbid them from leaving a review or remove said review. Good news is they probably won’t download your next book during a freebie period.

Here are some ways to fend off negative reviews:

• Have your book professionally edited and proofread.
• Better yet, have a professional critique of your book before editing to ensure it’s well structured.
• Make sure your formatting looks good, for both ebook and paperback. It’s not hard to learn how to format an ebook. Get Mark Coker’s free style book (Smashwords founder). I download Amazon’s templates for paperback and paste all my content in. Or you can hire a designer to help you. But do it right.
• Write description copy that accurately describes the genre and story—don’t mislead potential readers. Also, if your book contains “heat” (venturing into erotica) or descriptive violence, warn your reader. It’s the responsible thing to do. And, honestly, you want your target readers to be enjoying your book.
• Don’t make promises you can’t keep. This applies to self-help and other types of nonfiction. You might hope your readers will get healed, rich, happy, or successful by following your five-step secret method, but if you guarantee they will get these results, you are going to have some pretty angry customers leaving scathing reviews.
• Your book shouldn’t be a thinly veiled advertising platform for other books or services. It’s fine to list some of your other publications or resources at the back of your book, and it’s wise to include an excerpt of one of those other books to entice readers to buy it (and putting in a link to buy is fine). But don’t have promotions and special offers sprinkled throughout your pages. It’s spammy and off-putting.
• Did I mention you must have your book professionally edited and proofread?

Getting reviews on Amazon—honest, authentic reviews—will take time and effort, but it’s worth it. As the reviews pile up, you’ll see your sales ranking rise and your book will come up higher in search results.

But don’t forget the big picture: it’s about relationships. Build a fan base of happy readers who love your books. Take the time to master your craft, write the best books you can, take pride in them, and make sure they are professionally edited, with attractive covers and description that accurately describes your content. If you focus on those things and put out the effort, you will have a lot more than just reviews. You’ll have a joyful writing career.

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Amazon Book Reviews: How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon for Free

When it comes to Amazon book reviews, they are necessary to proactively market your book.

There’s almost nothing as important as Amazon book reviews when it comes to generating consistent book sales month after month and creating an effective book marketing strategy.

It’s not enough to publish your book and hope reviewers will find you. They almost certainly won’t. You need to work hard to find them and convince them to review your book.

But even that isn’t enough!

If you go about getting Amazon book reviews the wrong way, you risk incurring the wrath of Amazon. Your book will sink before it ever stood a chance of succeeding.

Related: Amazon Self-Publishing

So how can you get the Amazon book reviews you need in an ethical and effective way?

We’ve gathered together everything you need to know.

This guide to Amazon book reviews covers:

Why are amazon book reviews important, how many book reviews do i need on amazon.

• How to get your book reviewed on Amazon

Can I review my own book on Amazon?

Book review services , can i contact the top reviewers on amazon.

• Does Amazon support editorial reviews

Guidelines for Amazon reviews

Why does amazon remove book reviews.

If you’re new to the world of self-publishing , it might be unclear why there is so much importance placed on getting Amazon book reviews.

After all, if you create a good book, produce an attractive cover, and write a catchy description, shouldn’t that be enough?

As much as we might see our book as special, Amazon won’t.

At least, not at first. And neither will the vast majority of book browsers.

While the benefits of self-publishing are well-known, there are also some challenges you need to overcome in order to experience success.

One such challenge is the abundance of books released on Amazon.

The vast majority of books are lost amidst the noise. New titles are added to Amazon every few minutes, and there are endless titles already available. 

What does this mean for you?

If you want to see your book reach the right readers, you need to do everything in your power to get it in front of them. 

One of the most powerful ways to do that is by ensuring your book has reviews.

A lack of Amazon book reviews harms your book’s prospects in two ways. 

First, a book without reviews is unlikely to even get noticed by the vast majority of book browsers.

Second, even if people do somehow stumble across your book, they are unlikely to borrow or buy it without a credible number of Amazon book reviews.

Here are the benefits to make your reviews worth it:

• Trust. Book reviews are especially important when you’re just starting out as an author on Amazon . Put yourself in the shoes of a customer. Why should they trust your book? They almost certainly haven’t heard of you. Reviews overcome this problem. When people see that others have been helped or entertained by a book, it gives them the confidence they will experience the same result.
• Algorithm. Amazon is famous for having one of the most powerful and effective algorithms out there. The company explores and experiments with every possible way to get customers to spend more. Reviews are a huge signal to Amazon that your book is worth promoting. Without a respectable number of Amazon book reviews close to the time of launch, your book will miss out on the immense power of Amazon’s promotional machinery.
• External promotion. There are plenty of promotional services out there willing to help introduce your book to readers who are likely to benefit from it. However, most of them require you to have a certain number of positive reviews before they will even consider your book. You can also promote this on your author platform .
• Feedback. Reviews are also a valuable source of feedback on your work. Yes, even the negative ones! You can get a sense of what readers did and did not like about your book and take this feedback on board for your future releases. 

When it comes to success on Amazon, it’s almost impossible to overstate just how important reviews are.

Now that you know the benefits of reviews for your book, let’s take a closer look at exactly how to get them.

Getting people to take the time to review your book isn’t always easy, especially when you’re new to the self-publishing scene.

Given the difficulty of getting reviews, it’s natural to wonder just how many you need. 

No matter what people might say, there is no magic number that you need. It varies from book to book.

However, there are some proven principles and guidelines you can use to inform the number of reviews you aim to get.

• Check competing books. Take the time to check out other books that your ideal reader might be interested in. For example, which books rank for your keywords? Which books are selling well in your intended categories ? Try and look for books of similar stature to your own. How many reviews do they have? How many would you need to seem respectable in the eyes of a buyer choosing between your book and a competing title?
• Aim for 10 minimum. 10 reviews seems to be the number that starts to move the needle for a lot of authors. When you’re putting together your initial strategy, make 10 book reviews the minimum number you aim for. 
• 20 is ideal. If you’re capable of proactively getting 10 people to leave an Amazon review of your book, you’re more than capable of getting 20! Just double down on what you’re doing. We’ll explore exactly how shortly. 
• Don’t go overboard. After a certain number of Amazon book reviews, you’re unlikely to experience much extra benefit. The effort needed to seek out reviews is not commensurate to the benefits you will experience. Also, after getting a large number of reviews, buyers are likely to review your book of their own accord. You won’t need to seek them out. 30-50 reviews is a good guideline here, but a lower number may suffice depending on the books you are competing against. 
• Your promo strategy. Many authors make book promotion sites or services an integral part of their Amazon book marketing strategy. If you have a particular promotional site you want to be featured on, you’re probably going to need a certain number of Amazon book reviews to be eligible.

Even though there isn’t a particular number of Amazon book reviews that’s right for every book, there’s definitely a number that’s right for yours.

Use the above ideas to find it and make this a target you strive to hit.

Sadly, no. Some authors might think it’s a good idea to review their own book to get some initial momentum going for their Amazon book reviews, but that’s against the rules specified in Amazon’s Guidelines .

How to get Amazon book reviews

So how should you go about getting the reviews you need for your book to succeed?

Seeking out Amazon book reviews in the right way isn’t just a matter of doing what’s likely to get results.

It’s also a matter of respecting Amazon’s rules and regulations. If you fail to do so, you run the risk of having your reviews removed.

If you’re unsure of how to get the reviews your book needs, here are some effective techniques.

• Set up a review plan prior to launch. A lot of authors learn the hard way that you can’t leave Amazon book reviews to chance. You need to have a clear plan in place way ahead of your book launch . This should involve a clear approach to hit your review target number as close to the time of your book going live as possible.
• Reach out to existing readers. Do you have an email list of readers? Have you written anything in the past? Even if you don’t have books out, do you have a blog with readers? Could you leverage your author network to promote your book to another writer’s fans? Existing readers, either your own or another author’s, are a great potential source of Amazon book reviews.
• Use social media. While social media is a valuable source of potential reviewers of your work, you should approach it with caution. If Amazon’s algorithm deems you to have a close connection with people on social media, their reviews of your book may be removed. In spite of that, it’s still worth utilizing options such as Facebook reading groups, relevant hashtags on Twitter or Instagram, visual platforms like Pinterest , and even Tik Tok if you have a younger audience, to seek out people who might be interested in your book. 
• Consider offline readers. Most authors will focus their review approach on the online world. By seeking out book clubs, library groups, and other interested communities offline, you open the door to a rich source of potential reviewers that many other authors aren’t aware of.  
• Create a launch team . One of the easiest ways to get reviews at launch is to have a big launch group on your side before your book ever drops on Amazon KDP. I recommend having a team of around 100 people who will reach an advanced reader copy in exchange for their authentic review. That way, when your book launches, you can have tons of Amazon book reviews straight away. If you aren’t sure how to build a launch group, there are companies that will help you put one together. At selfpublishing.com, our Elite Package guarantees your first 100 authentic Amazon book reviews.
• CTA in your book. There’s no harm of asking for Amazon book reviews within your book itself. You can also include a link in the ebook version to make it as straightforward as possible.

Be aware that by asking for Amazon book reviews in any of the ways mentioned, you are seeking something of value from them. To make them want to take the time to help you, you need to frame your request in the right way.

Related: Amazon Book Description HTML: Making Words Look Better

Instead of coming across as self-serving or even desperate, why not base your review request around:

• Feedback. If people respect your work they are likely to want to help you out as an author. If you make them feel like their feedback is valued, you are more likely to get a review.
• Helping other readers. Another angle to take is appealing to a sense of community among readers. Rather than making your request for Amazon book reviews about yourself, make it about informing fellow readers about a book that might benefit or entertain them.
• A promotional price point. It’s human nature to love a good deal. By emphasizing your book being offered at a low price point for a limited time, you tap into the psychological appeal of both value and scarcity, making it more likely that people will see it as worthwhile to review your book.

Combining the right sources of potential Amazon book reviews with the right type of request is the best way to get your book the review score it needs.

As well as seeking out relevant readers by yourself, a range of professional book review services exist.

While this can form a valuable part of your overall approach to Amazon book reviews, you need to be careful.

Amazon is known for being incredibly strict about people selling reviews. Many people on Fiverr have experienced this firsthand!

The Amazon review guidelines are elaborated on a little later in this guide, but as a general principle, always avoid paying for a review directly. That includes offering a gift of some type.

Instead of paying for a review on Fiverr, consider using one of these services:

• Goodreads book giveaways
• Rainbow Book Reviews

If you’re considering paying for a review service, make sure to check both of these two things before investing your money:

• Compliance. Ensure any review service you’re considering is compliant with Amazon’s rules and regulations. Otherwise, you risk losing your money, having the review removed, and possibly even worse consequences if Amazon feels you’re being particularly underhanded.
• Results. Check out what kind of results a review service promises, and what kind of success they’ve had in the past. Have they produced good results for books similar to yours? What kind of ROI can you expect?

Book review services can be a valuable way to help your book get the momentum it needs. Just make sure you’re dealing with a reputable and effective service provider.

No, the top Amazon reviewers are no longer available.

In the past, a popular way of seeking Amazon book reviews involved trying to find and contact the top reviewers on Amazon.

This may have worked well back in the day, but it’s not really something to pursue in the here and now. 

The top Amazon reviewers no longer have emails available to reach out to. Even when they did, the odds of having a top reviewer take the time to check out your work was pretty slim. 

Does Amazon support editorial reviews?

What exactly is an editorial review, and why does it matter for your book?

So far, we’ve talked about customer Amazon book reviews, which are exactly what they sound like. A customer reads your book and leaves their opinion. If they purchased it from Amazon, this would count as a verified review. 

The other type of review to utilize is the editorial review. This involves a trusted source such as a magazine or publication giving their take on your book.

While editorial reviews aren’t included in your book’s review score and don’t show up with the customer reviews, this is actually a good thing. 

Some of the main benefits of editorial reviews are:

• They won’t get lost in the middle of the (hopefully) large number of customer reviews your book has
• You can add them to your Amazon Author Central page
• You are allowed to leverage your connections as Amazon can’t remove these in the way that they can remove customer reviews
• A reputable publication or individual may carry more weight in the mind of a potential book buyer than an unknown customer reviewer

There’s no denying the value of editorial reviews, but think of them as icing on the cake. 

Make customer reviews your priority, at least initially, as they will move the needle in terms of the Amazon algorithm.

Spend some time around the indie author community and you’ll come across some fairly angry writers.

A common source of frustration is the seemingly ever-changing Amazon review rules.

In reality, the Amazon review guidelines aren’t as bad as you might have heard.

You can check out the full picture here , but some basic principles include:

• You can’t pay for Amazon book reviews. It’s absolutely prohibited to exchange money for a review of your book.]
• You can’t ask for conditional reviews. Although it’s completely fine to ask for someone to review your book, you cannot request they review it in a certain way. Asking for an honest review is the best approach.
• You can’t review a rival book. If Amazon feels someone is negatively reviewing a rival product of any type, they will remove that review.
• You can’t rely on friends and family. Amazon states that reviews from close personal connections are not allowed. This can involve being friends with people and interacting on social media.
• You can’t offer gifts. It’s not permissible to over an Amazon gift card or anything else whatsoever in exchange for a review. You can offer an ARC of your book but that’s all.

While it’s definitely worth respecting the Amazon review guidelines, try not to worry too much. As long as you’re operating from a place of good faith, the worst that will happen in the majority of cases is Amazon will remove some of your reviews.

Amazon can remove reviews for violations of any of the guidelines mentioned above. 

However, some of the most common reasons for a review to be removed are:

• You have reviewed your own book
• Someone with the same address as you has reviewed your book
• A reviewer has attempted to leave multiple reviews of your work
• The review is obscene, defamatory, or otherwise unacceptable
• The reviewer is a customer who has spent less than $50 on Amazon
• The reviewer appears to be a spammer who leaves too many reviews in a short space of time
• You have reported the review to [email protected] and Amazon agrees it is unacceptable

Having some Amazon book reviews removed is a fact of life for most authors. Although it might seem frustrating, try and see the system as being in place to preserve the integrity of the entire process. 

We hope you’ve found this guide to the dos and don’ts of Amazon book reviews useful. 

If you have any tips on getting Amazon book reviews ethically, or warnings about Amazon’s rules and regulations, feel free to leave a comment and help your fellow authors out. 

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How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon the Quickest and Easiest Way

Book reviews and sushi restaurants have a lot more in common than you might think. Discover the secrets to getting book reviews on Amazon!

Would you risk getting sushi from a restaurant with a 1-star average and a dozen bad reviews talking about getting food poisoning? Didn't think so. 

The thing is, Amazon reviews function the same way. They warn readers about books that might not be worth their hard-earned money or precious time. So, how do you convince someone you've never met that your book is worth taking the chance?

In this blog post, we'll walk you through a ton of budget-friendly and compliant ways for how to get book reviews on Amazon, and skyrocket your sales (and royalties).

Are you tapping into all of Amazon's potential? Check out our free webinar that shows you exactly how one publishing method has already generated a collective $50 million in revenue for thousands of students of all ages all over the world with no publishing or tech experience required.

Why Do Amazon Book Reviews Matter?

A dozen 5-star reviews can usually offset a single bad review, but a single 5-star review won't always offset a dozen negative reviews. It's just the nature of the game and human psychology. We tend to gravitate toward what's safe and comfortable.

Here are some more reasons that a book's review matters:

Credibility and Social Proof

Let's knock the obvious one out of the way. When potential readers are browsing Amazon for a new book to read, they are more likely to choose a book that already has previous other readers. Positive reviews act as social proof and give credibility to your book. They show that others have enjoyed your book and that it’s worth reading.

Sales and Ranking

Amazon book reviews can also impact your book's sales and ranking. Books with a higher number of positive reviews tend to sell more copies. Additionally, Amazon's search algorithm takes into account the number and quality of reviews when ranking books in search results.

Momentum and Feedback

Positive reviews just feel good. They're a good boost to your confidence and can motivate you to keep publishing. Even a negative review can help you improve your work by providing constructive feedback to implement in your future work. 

A Breakdown of Amazon's Review Policy and Algorithm

Amazon's review policy is designed to ensure that reviews are genuine and unbiased.

That means they prohibit the following:

• Reviews that are fake
• Reviews that are incentivized or come from a bribe
• Reviews that are written by the author or publisher of a book or their family and friends
• Reviews that include profanity, hate speech, and personal information

Note: Violating these policies can result in the removal of reviews and even account suspension.

Amazon's algorithm uses various factors to determine the authenticity and relevance of book reviews. The algorithm considers the number of reviews, the rating, and the recency of reviews as well as the location that the reviews came from. They can typically tell when friends and family are leaving reviews by checking whether you've ever sent each other gifts through Amazon or shared an address.

Most people can get away with one or two close friends leaving a positive or leaving a review too, but is it worth it? For one, it’s unethical. And secondly, it throws off the algorithm. If you wrote a book about bulldogs and none of your friends even have dogs, then they wouldn't be your target audience anyway. Their data would then affect the types of readers Amazon suggests your book to, and this can skew your marketing plans. Just something to keep in mind!

How Many Reviews Is Enough?

When it comes to the number of reviews you need on Amazon, there's no magic number that will instantly turn your book into a bestseller. Good reviews can essentially sell the book for you, so the more positive reviews you have, the better.

A good goal to aim for (and what we teach our Publishing.com students ) is at least 50 reviews for every new book that you publish. This may seem like a lot, but we've found this to be the sweet spot for gaining traction, and this blog post is full of ideas to help you get started.

Another pro tip? The timing of your reviews can have an impact on your book's success. Ideally, you want to have as many reviews as possible around the time of your book's initial launch to help it get more visibility.

Identifying Your Ideal Readers

There's no use reaching out to people who won't get any value out of reading your book. Sure, they may leave you an honest review, but it might not be a good one. Here's what to consider when trying to connect with the readers who are most likely to leave you a positive review:

What genre does your book fall into? You can use Amazon's categories and subcategories to help you identify your genre. Maybe you want to target fans of romance or hobby books, or you want to tap into the children’s book market. These categories will help you when you're looking for various social media groups to connect with reviewers (more on that later).

Keywords are the words or phrases that readers use to search for books on Amazon. By including relevant keywords in your book's title, subtitle, and description, you can make it easier for potential readers to find your book. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Amazon's keyword tool to find relevant keywords.

Demographics

Think about who your book is intended for. Is it for young adults or older readers? Is it for men or women? Is it for people who enjoy a certain type of hobby or interest? If you're publishing children's books, you'll need to remember that the parents are the ones who will be purchasing your book and deciding whether to leave reviews. 

How to Ask a Reader to Leave an Honest Review on Amazon

There are plenty of ways to get free book reviews, which we'll talk about here. The best strategy to find reviewers usually comes from a combination of these tactics. So, don't be afraid to experiment and see what method works best for you!

Let's dive right in:

Leverage Your Mailing List

One of the quickest and easiest ways to get reviews is by leveraging your mailing list. That is...if you already have one. Many authors and publishers take the time to create their own websites and collect readers' emails to keep them up to date with their latest book launches.

If you don't have a mailing list yet, you can start building one by offering a free sample chapter or some kind of bonus content in exchange for someone's email address. You can then follow up with emails that have the link to purchase and review your book. 

Pro Tip: The more steps something takes, the less likely people are to follow through, so you want to make it as easy as possible for them. Always include direct links so they don’t have to go searching for them!

Email Template to Ask for a Book Review

Need some book marketing inspo? We've got you covered.

Here's a handy email template you can tweak to your style and voice for launch day!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email Subject Line: 🌟 It’s Finally Here! Want to Help Other Readers? 📖

Hey [Reader's Name],

Big news: “[Book Title]” is out today! 🎉 I’m super excited (and a bit nervous) to share this story with you. It’s been quite the adventure bringing it to life.

If you enjoy the read, I’d be over the moon if you could take some time to drop a quick review on Amazon. Your honest thoughts really help—both me and other book lovers.

Here’s how:

• Pop over to [Insert Link].
• Scroll to "Customer Reviews" and hit "Write a Customer Review."
• Share what you think about the book—there's no right or wrong answer!

That’s it! Short and sweet does the trick. 🌟

Thanks a million for your support. It means the world to me, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of “[Book Title].”

Happy reading and happy reviewing!

Cheers, [Your Name]

Connect with Book Bloggers and Top Reviewers

Book bloggers and full-time reviewers can help you get the word out about your book by engaging their audiences. 

Here are some tips on how to connect with them:

1. Do Your Research

Not all bloggers and reviewers are the same. You want to target those who are interested in your genre and have a following. Look for bloggers and reviewers who have already reviewed books similar to yours.

2. Personalize Your Pitch

When reaching out to bloggers and reviewers, make sure to personalize your pitch. Address them by name and mention why you think they would be interested in your book.

3. Follow Up

After you've sent your pitch, follow up with the blogger or reviewer. Politely ask if they've had a chance to read your book yet and if they have any feedback. Following up shows that you're interested in their opinion and can help build a relationship for future reviews. 

Just be careful not to cross into begging territory. If someone doesn't want to read your book, there are millions of other potential readers out there who might!

4. Be Genuine

When engaging with bloggers and reviewers, be genuine. Focus on their experience rather than the review itself. Be open to their feedback, even if it's not what you were expecting. It can help you grow and connect with future readers.

Pro Tip: The only real failure in the publishing world is giving up!

Create a Call-to-Action Inside Your Book

A Call-to-Action (CTA) is simply a marketing term that means giving your intended audience a very specific action to take. You've probably seen a ton without realizing it, like "click here," "sign up now," or "order now!"

Another simple way to increase reviews for your book on Amazon is to create a call-to-action (CTA) inside your book. This is a message that encourages readers to leave a review immediately on Amazon. By doing this, you're taking advantage of the fact that readers are more likely to leave a review while the experience is still fresh in their minds.

Here are some common locations for CTAs:

• Your author bio
• In the middle of your book, at a natural stopping point between two chapters
• The end of your book

Many authors and publishers include a QR code that takes the readers to a website. This website can be a simple landing page that thanks the reader for their support and encourages them to leave a review on Amazon. Make sure to emphasize the importance of honest reviews and how they help other readers make informed decisions about whether or not to buy your book.

Other CTA tips:

• Be clear and concise
• Focus on only ONE action you want the readers to take
• Use strong action verbs
• Offer up your gratitude even if they choose not to take the next step but still took the time to read your work

Create an ARC Team

An ARC Team stands for an Advance Reader Copies Team or Advance Review Copies Team. The idea is simple: You build a dedicated team of people who are ready to give all your new books an honest customer review.

To build an effective Advance Reader Team, start by reaching out to your email list, social media followers, and other fans of your work. Let them know you are looking for readers who are willing to read and review your book before your book is live. Be clear about what you expect from them, including the timeline for reading and reviewing the book.

Once you have built your Advance Reader Team, provide them with a full copy of the book of your book in a format that is easy for them to read, such as a PDF or Kindle file. Follow up with them to make sure they have received the book and are on track to finish reading it by the agreed-upon deadline.

Note: Participating in ARC review methods isn't against Amazon KDP's terms; however, posting your full manuscript online would be if you were planning on making your book available through Kindle Unlimited.

Take Advantage of Social Media

One effective way to use social media is to create a Facebook page for your book. This page can be used to share updates about your book, interact with readers, run ads, and, most importantly, request book reviews. You can also join Facebook groups that are specifically designed for authors and reviewers.

Goodreads is another social media platform that can be used to request book reviews. Goodreads has a large community of readers and reviewers, making it an ideal platform to promote your book and request reviews.

Pro Tip: No one likes spam, so stick to the golden rule. Treat readers how you would want to be treated.

Leverage Free or Low-Cost Book Review Sites

Some popular free or low-cost book review sites include Goodreads, Pubby, and Online Book Club. These sites have large communities of readers who are eager to discover new books and provide feedback.

When submitting your book for review on these sites, be sure to follow the submission guidelines carefully. Some sites may have specific requirements for the format of your book or the information you need to include in your submission.

Remember : Amazon doesn't allow incentivized reviews. 

Here's how these platforms tackle compliance:

Pubby operates on a book review exchange model. Authors who join Pubby agree to review other authors' books in exchange for reviews of their own books. This peer-to-peer system is designed to increase the number of reviews without direct financial incentives or specific demands for positive reviews.

This differs from review swaps, where both parties leave a "5-star" review regardless of their true opinions about the work.

Goodreads is a community platform for book lovers. It allows users to leave reviews, rate books, and engage in discussions about books. Reviews on Goodreads are user-generated and are not part of a paid or incentivized system.

Although Goodreads is owned by Amazon, the review system on Goodreads operates independently of Amazon’s review system. Reviews on Goodreads are generally not subject to the same strict guidelines as Amazon's product reviews, but there are still ways to go about asking for reviews ethically and unethically. 

Consider Ethical Paid Services to Get Reviews

While it's always best to get book reviews on Amazon organically, sometimes it's necessary to use paid services to get your book reviewed with the attention it deserves and to scale your publishing business more quickly. Ethical services offer legitimate ways to connect with reviewers and get more reviews on Amazon without violating any rules.

A quick word of caution: Some UNethical services may violate Amazon's terms of service by offering to buy reviews directly, so always be sure to do your own research!

• Authentic reviews for their services
• A proven track record with the genre you're publishing in
• Transparent pricing and policies
• Access to support (whether through email, chat, or phone) in case you ever need it

Some legitimate services offer a variety of a la carte options, such as running a review campaign or connecting authors with reviewers who are interested in reading their books. Some services may also offer to promote your book to their audience, which can help increase visibility and generate more sales.

Overall, using ethical paid services to get reviews can be a great way to boost your book's visibility on Amazon and get more readers interested in your work. Just be sure to choose a reputable service and always follow Amazon's publishing guidelines to ensure that your book stays in good standing on the platform.

What Are Editorial Reviews on Amazon?

Editorial reviews are essentially "bonus" quotes and reviews housed on your Amazon book page through your Author Central Account . They may be written by professional reviewers, such as book critics and editors, or they may simply be quotes you want to highlight about your books from others.

To get editorial reviews for your book, you can submit your book to publications and websites that review books, or you can hire a professional reviewer to write a review for you. Once you have an editorial review, you can then submit it to Amazon to be published on your book review page.

Editorial reviews can be a great way to get exposure for your book and build credibility with potential readers, but customer reviews are just as important for building out your review page.

Avoiding Fake Reviews and Ensuring Genuine Feedback

Your reviews set the stage for your reputation as a self-publisher.

Here are some tips to avoid fake reviews and ensure genuine feedback:

Seek Verified Purchase Reviews

Amazon marks reviews from customers who have purchased your book on their platform with a “Verified Purchase” label. These reviews carry more weight as they are more likely to be authentic. You can encourage your readers to leave such reviews by reminding them to buy the book directly from Amazon.

Aim for Balanced Reviews

Genuine reviews often provide a well-rounded perspective of your own book. They don’t just heap praises or pile on criticism; instead, they offer a nuanced view, discussing various aspects like plot, characters, writing style, formatting, and pacing. Be on the lookout for reviews that offer specific, balanced insights into your work.

Stay Alert to Fake Reviews

Be cautious of reviews that may not be legitimate. These can be overly effusive or excessively negative, exhibit repetitive language or phrasing, or appear in an unnaturally large number within a short span. Amazon allows you to report suspicious reviews by using the “Report Abuse” option.

Sabotage is rare, but it does happen. If you suspect that a competitor has given you a false review, flag it and keep moving forward. You can rest easy knowing that you’ve put in the work and you’re running your publishing business from a place of integrity. 

Foster Authentic Engagement

Encourage genuine feedback by interacting with your readers. Express gratitude for their reviews and engage with their comments. Addressing their thoughts and concerns not only shows your appreciation but also demonstrates your commitment to putting out quality content.

Although you cannot respond directly to Amazon comments, you can interact with your mailing list and social media following. 

Optimize Your Book Launch for Reviews

Getting book reviews on Amazon is crucial for book sales, traction, and visibility.

Here are some tips to help you get the most reviews from your book launch.

1. Set a Launch Date

Setting a specific launch date helps you plan your book launch, coordinate your promotion plan with your publishing team (if you have one), and start your PR campaign two to three months before the launch date. It also enables you to coordinate book signing events with local bookstores three to four months before the launch or publication date.

Pro Tip: Some niches are more profitable during particular times of the year. See what your competitors are doing to get a better idea of what works and what doesn't.

2. Create a Pre-Launch Checklist

Creating a pre-launch checklist helps you explore your book launch to-do's at a glance. It might even include a marketing and PR plan tailored to each social media platform.

3. Stay Up to Date with Amazon's Review Guidelines

It doesn't hurt to check Amazon's guidelines every quarter or so to make sure there aren't any updates that might impact your plans. The truth is this industry is constantly changing—especially as AI becomes more and more common!

4. Don't Be Shy Asking for Reviews

Asking for reviews can be uncomfortable at first, but this is just another one of those skills that take time and practice, like strength training and weightlifting.

5. Think Outside of the Box

You're in charge when it comes to marketing your Amazon book , and within reason, the sky is the limit. Virtual events like Q&As can help your audience get to know you, but there are thousands of other ideas out there to help your book stand out in a crowded market.

Here are just a few:

• Collaborative Storytelling Event : Host an online event where readers contribute to a live, interactive storytelling session based on your book's universe.
• Interactive Web Series : Produce a short web series or interactive videos that explore your book's characters or setting, inviting audience participation.
• Flash Fiction Contest : Organize a writing contest where participants create short stories inspired by your book, with the best entries featured on your website.
• Podcast Series : Launch a podcast discussing themes, background stories, or characters from your book, possibly including guest speakers or experts.
• Themed Cook-along or Craft Workshop : If your book involves unique cuisines or crafts, host a live cook-along or crafting session teaching these skills.
• Charity Event Partnership : Tie your launch to a charity event, where aspects of your book's theme help raise awareness or funds for a relevant cause.
• Book Playlist Release Party : Curate a playlist of songs that captures the mood of your book, hosting a listening party with discussions about how each song relates to the story.

Publishing.com's Student Reviews

Which of the following types of people have found success with publishing?

A) Grandmas and grandpas who weren't necessarily tech-savvy but wanted to find a way to supplement their retirement

B) Stay-at-home moms and dads who wanted to find a way to make money without missing out on any of their children's milestones

C) College students who wanted to find a way to stop drowning in student loan debt

D) All of the above

The Publishing.com team has earned a verified review average of 4.8 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot , and the answer is D! All of the above!

Here's what some students had to say:

If you're looking for a sign to take that first step, it's this! 

Just head over to our free beginner-friendly webinar to see the exact formula that can completely transform your schedule and income and bring you the freedom you crave!

Happy publishing!

FREE WEBINAR

Table of Contents

Why Do Book Reviews Matter?

How many reviews do i need, editorial reviews, how to get amazon book reviews, how to get reviews for your book on amazon.

What good is writing a great book if no one knows that it’s worth reading?

That’s where book reviews come in.

Reviews matter. They’re a key influencer of buying behavior and provide important social proof even to non-buyers.

Just think about it: how many times have you bought a book without looking at the reviews? I can’t speak for you, but I always read at least a few reviews of every book I buy.

So how do you get more? Most important, more good reviews?

Lots of people are trying to make money off Authors’ confusion in this area, and giving out terrible, deceitful advice about getting reviews (and a few straight up scams).

That’s why I wrote this blog post.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting reviews effectively and ethically, especially on Amazon .

If you’ve put in the effort to write a good book, then it’s worth taking the time to get honest feedback from your readers.

Quick note: I said “a good book.” All of my advice assumes you wrote a good book. I’m going to teach you how to get honest reviews, so if your book is not good, my suggestions will backfire. You’ll get reviews, but they won’t be ones you like.

1. Credibility & Social Proof

Imagine that you’re going out for a nice dinner, and you have a choice between two restaurants. One of them has two Michelin Stars, received glowing reviews on Yelp, and even has reviews on Google Maps.

The other restaurant looks nice from the outside, but it doesn’t have a website, and you don’t know anyone who’s been. You know nothing about the chef, and your only guideline for the food comes from the very basic menu posted outside the door.

Which restaurant are you going to choose?

Books work the same way.

If you had to choose, would you buy the book with 50 5-star reviews, or would you buy the one without any reviews at all?

People want to read books other people have read. If a book has a solid number of reviews, a strong blurb, and plenty of customer feedback, it’s going to do better.

Reviews are social proof. Proof that you have something to say, that you have the chops to say it, and that you can be engaging while you say it.

A book without reviews isn’t necessarily a bad book, but it also won’t have the same appeal as a book that consistently gets rave comments.

2. Influence search algorithms

You know what the third biggest search engine is?

Google is first, YouTube is second, and Amazon is third.

When people use Amazon, what they see first is determined by Amazon’s search algorithm…and reviews are a very important part of that algorithm.

Most of our authors write books not just to sell copies, but to use as a tool to market themselves . If this is the case for you, then people searching for your book topic are very important.

The better your ranking , the more likely it is that people will find your book. And the more likely it is that people find your book, the more likely you are to sell it.

3. Drive sales

Reviews won’t automatically make you a New York Times bestseller , but it will make your book more visible to potential readers.

Every review boosts your rankings, emphasizes your credibility, or entices potential readers.

And good reviews drive sales. Think about it–when you go to buy a book, what is the first thing you do?

Read the reviews.

The more reviews you can get—assuming they are good—the better. Lots of reviews are strong social proof a book is popular, and popular books sell.

For a minimum, you should try to get 20 reviews within the first two months after your book release date. That shows your book has traction with real readers.

At around 50 reviews, you are probably good to go. Around that point, you have solidified the book as reputable and should continue to generate reviews.

A Note Before We Start: Don’t Try to Cheat Amazon

Amazon is savvy. Their algorithm is no joke, and if you try to cheat them, you will get caught. They actively look to find and remove any review that is not a real review written by a real person–and they’re very good at it.

Amazon also has a zero-tolerance policy for any review that is designed to mislead or manipulate customers. They’re not shy about removing reviews that violate that policy.

Here’s a list of things to avoid:

• You can’t pay for reviews. This includes cash or giving reviewers a free or discounted product.
• You can’t offer reviewers gifts in exchange for reviews.
• You can’t exchange positive book reviews with other Authors, so don’t head to Facebook or Twitter to find review swaps.

This may seem pretty restrictive. After all, don’t most of us rely on business associates, friends, and other members of our networks to sell books? And what about giving away free review copies? Does that violate the promotional terms?

Well, there are a few caveats .

You can give away free or discounted books to potential reviewers, but you can’t tell them what to write. If they hate it, they have to be able to rant and rave to their heart’s content.

That’s why I said earlier that you have to write a high-quality book. Any free copy you give away has to be given with no strings attached.

Most of this information applies to customer reviews, but they aren’t the only kind of reviews on Amazon.

Editorial reviews are either written by Amazon editors or they come from established publications like Publisher’s Weekly or Kirkus Reviews. Official book endorsements also fall under the category of editorial reviews.

Let’s say that you are a physical therapist, and you have a colleague who is very well known in the field. If she likes your work, it would probably be better to ask her for an editorial review. That way, when people look at the Amazon listing, her review will be front and center. It won’t be buried in the middle of 45 other reviews.

Editorial reviews aren’t subject to the same kinds of restrictions as customer reviews. It’s still not ethical to pay someone to give you a review, but you can and should make the most of your connections to get these.

Step 1: Set-up For Success: Ask for Reviews In Your Book

The easiest way to get book reviews is to ask for them. What better place to do that than in the book itself?

Usually, it’s best to include a short, direct review request towards the back of the book, since good reviewers tend to read all the way to the end.

Few people realize how important book reviews are to Authors. There are probably many people who enjoyed your book and would be willing to write about it if you give them a little nudge.

There are unethical ways to ask, and you should avoid them.

For starters, don’t say, “If you really loved my book, please leave a review.” I know that Authors say this all the time, but it’s presumptuous. It’s like telling someone that their opinion doesn’t matter unless it’s glowing.

People leave reviews because they want to express their feelings. Those feelings might be more complicated than, “I adored the book.” Of course you want positive reviews, but you also have to leave space for readers who enjoyed the book but are reluctant to call it the best thing they’ve ever read.

It’s better to ask readers, “I’d love to hear your honest opinion.”

Here’s another thing to avoid: Don’t ask readers, “Can you take a minute to review my book so I can sell more copies?” This comes across as desperate.

Other people typically don’t care how many books you sell. They need a better reason to take the time to write. Try framing your request around the impact that the book had on them and the impact it could have for others.

Here’s an example: “Did this book help you in some way? If so, I’d love to hear about it. Honest reviews help readers find the right book for their needs.”

Step 2: Ask Your Network for Reviews

One of the most effective ways to get reviews is to set up a launch team .

To do this, put together a list of people who would immediately do a favor for you. You want to aim for 30-50 people.

One month before the book release, send this team a copy of your book so they can read it in advance. It’s easiest to email the book as a PDF, along with a short call to action. Here’s a sample:

Hello there!

I’m excited to let you know that my new book, [Title], launches on [date]. It’s been an amazing journey to get it completed, and I’m excited to finally share it with the world.

If you’re receiving this email, it’s because you’re someone I trust enough to (a) send a free copy of the book to in advance and (b) ask that you leave an honest review when it goes live.

Early reviews are the single most important factor in determining if a book succeeds, so I’m incredibly thankful for people like you who I can rely on to leave one.

No action needed yet. Attached is your free PDF of the book, and I’ll follow up when the book launches with a reminder to leave a review.

Thanks so much for your support. I deeply appreciate it.

Just before the book launches, use KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to discount the e-reader version to 99 cents for the week of the book launch.

Then, follow up with your team, asking them to leave a review. You can highlight certain things that you would like reviewers to mention, but again, it’s good to emphasize that you want their honest opinion.

Also mention that your book is 99 cents, so if they’re feeling generous, they can buy a copy so their review will be verified. A verified review means that the writer purchased the product through Amazon, and they didn’t receive it at a deep discount. These matter more for your Amazon ranking.

Here’s a sample email: Hey [Name],

The day is here! My book, [Title + GENI.US link], is finally live on Amazon.

I have one simple ask:

If you were able to look at the book and enjoyed it, can you leave a short review?

Reviews should only be 1-2 sentences and should take about 30 seconds to leave (and would make a huge difference for me). If you can’t come up with one, here are some examples:

• [Insert example review]

Finally, I wanted to give you a heads up that Amazon can sometimes block or remove reviews if they deem our digital relationship too close, or if your account is too new. This is few and far between so I’m sorry if you run into this and thank you all the more for your support!

Thanks so much for your help! I can’t thank you enough.

Best, [Author]

As you can see, this email alludes to Amazon’s “family and friends” rule. Most book reviews and sales come from word of mouth, and you will of course be asking your network for support. The key here is that you aren’t forcing or bribing people to give you good feedback.

Step 3: Set Up Your Assets to Remind Your Network

Social media is a great way to remind your network that your book is ready to be reviewed.

Use Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or whatever social media assets you have to keep your book present in people’s minds.

For example:

• Pin a tweet requesting reviews at the top of your Twitter feed
• Add the book to your email signature
• Put your book in the header of your Facebook and Twitter profiles

Step 4: Reach Out to Authority Reviewers & Top Reviewers

Amazon has a list of top reviewers who are enthusiastic and authoritative about certain areas. If you notice that someone consistently reviews books in your field, they might be a good person to reach out to.

Be cautious about contacting too many top reviewers, especially if your book isn’t in their realm of interest. No one likes spam, so only reach out with good reason.

You have to know your audience , so look at book bloggers who might have some knowledge in your area or podcasters who might be interested in your book’s topic.

Alternately, you could use a site like BookRazor to find people interested in your book. If you send them a free copy, they agree to follow up with a review.

Be aware though: cold calls have a high failure rate. We haven’t found this method as effective as tapping personal networks.

Step 5: Don’t Ignore Negative Reviews

It’s highly likely that, at some point, you will get a negative review . This is just a fact of life.

One thing to keep in mind before you get upset is that bad reviews aren’t always a bad thing. Books that only have 5-star reviews often don’t seem credible. Bad reviews can actually convince people that your other reviews are real.

There are many ways to deal with negative reviews:

• Ignore it. There’s no upside to responding to toxic people.
• Answer it…but be careful. Responding can be a double-edged sword. Respond in a way that addresses the issue without coming off as defensive.
• Admit it hurts to receive a bad review, then move on.
• Keep things in perspective. Don’t give negative reviews more weight than positive ones.
• Consider if the negative comments have any lessons for you.
• Try to get Amazon to take down the review if it doesn’t comply with their guidelines. They probably won’t remove it unless the person has been fraudulent or crude.

BONUS Step: Use Paid Services

Okay, I know I said that you shouldn’t use paid services. But what I meant was, “Don’t use paid services to directly buy reviews.” That’s cheating the system, and scamming Amazon isn’t a good idea if you’re trying to be a legitimate Author.

But there are paid opportunities that you can use to get the book into potential reviewers’ hands in an ethical way.

Goodreads is a social media site for book lovers. Their book giveaways are a good way to increase exposure and create hype. Goodreads requires participants to add the book to their wish list, and they also remind winners to leave reviews. They offer several packages at different price points, depending on how many promotional options you want.

BookBub features discounted books in their daily newsletters, which have more than 10 million subscribers. You can pay to have your book featured, or you can buy ad space in the newsletters. The pricing depends on how deep the book’s discount is.

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Amazon reviews: 3 ways to generate 25+ reviews for your book

Amazon reviews. When you see a book (or any product) with a lot of them, how do you think they got there? Most people assume that the book is popular. If a lot of people are reading it and enjoying it, they must be leaving reviews. Right?

In fact, most of the time this isn’t the case. Most of the time, authors who wait for reviews to trickle in don’t see many results. I should know – even before my recent relaunch with  Morgan James Publishing , there were over 1,000 copies of  Book Blueprint in circulation. Hardly any of those sales and giveaways led to reviews.

(Having said this, if you’ve read  Book Blueprint  and it helped with your writing journey, I’d love it if you left a review  on Amazon .)

Yet I still managed to relaunch with 28 reviews.

I asked for them.

In most cases, when a book has more than a handful of Amazon reviews, those reviews have been solicited.

Is soliciting Amazon reviews ethical?

One of the most frequent questions I get when it comes to soliciting book reviews is, is it ethical? Is it ethical to ask people to leave a review for your book?

Don't approach friends and family who haven’t even read your book. And don't ask random people on the street to leave a vague comment with a 5-star rating. Those are both, of course, unethical.

However, if you are asking people to  read your book  and then  share an honest review , then that  is ethical. You can even request that they mention that you they received a free copy of your book in the review itself.

The key here is asking for  honest  reviews. When I reached out to my reviewers, I made this very clear, and was open to negative reviews, if they were their honest thoughts. Fortunately, if you have written the best manuscript you can, and have engaged  an awesome team to turn it into the best possible book it can be, this shouldn’t be an issue. Even if there are one or two people who don’t ‘get’ you or your content, the good reviews will balance them out.

It's also important to note that the free copy cannot be dependent upon the recipient leaving an Amazon review. That is also strictly against Amazon policies. Rather, provide the free copy first, make the request, and trust that many will in fact leave a review.

Is it worth it?

I can hear what you’re thinking – it seems like an awful lot of work, doesn’t it?

Yes, it is a lot of work. In fact, of all of the people you approach for reviews, less than a quarter will actually leave them. So is it worth the time you’ll spend crafting emails and social media posts, or submitting your book to review sites?

My thoughts? Absolutely. Soliciting reviews  is  worth it, for three reasons:

1. Amazon reviews establish your book’s credibility

When we’re looking for products, choosing between restaurants, searching for a hotel room and even shopping for books, we all look at reviews and ratings.

A product that has a lot of positive Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4-5 stars looks like a better deal. It looks like it will deliver on its promises. In the case of a nonfiction, how-to book, it looks like it actually teaches readers what it says it will teach them.

This is especially true if we’re comparing two similar products – if one product has dozens, or hundreds, of 5-star reviews and in-depth feedback, while another has no reviews (or worse, an average rating of only 1-3 stars), which would you choose?

2. Amazon reviews are another weapon in your book’s marketing arsenal

One of the most challenging pieces of marketing anything is trying to think of new things to say.

You’ve shared a  behind-the-scenes look at your publishing journey . You’ve shared all of the benefits your book can offer. And you’ve even shared excerpts of content to entice people to buy. Once you’ve done all of that, what else is there?

Reviews give you a reason to continue talking about your book. Every time a good review comes in, you have something to share on social media and with your email list. And if you’ve built a genuine relationship with your followers, they will be genuinely excited on your behalf. This leads to likes, comments, and clicks through to your book’s listing on Amazon.

This brings me to the third benefit of soliciting reviews.

3. Reviews help drive traffic to your Amazon listing

When you share your good reviews on social media or with your email list, it reminds your followers that your book exists. It also reminds them to visit its Amazon listing.

On top of this, some reviewers have other channels where they publish their reviews. Their own blogs, Goodreads, and review sites where they are members all help your book get in front of more people.

Finally, there are a number of book advertising sites out there where you can promote your book if you’re running a special discount. Examples include BookBub ,  Kindle Nation Daily , and  The Fussy Librarian . Some of these sites require a minimum number of reviews before they accept books. Once you break through that threshold, these new marketing opportunities become available to you.

How do you do it? 3 tactics to launch your book with 20+ Amazon reviews

So how do you do it?

There are several roads to reviews. Here are the three that I’ve found to be the most effective.

1. Ask your beta readers for Amazon reviews

If you have time, a great way to ensure you write the best book you can is to enlist a team of beta readers in the publishing process. Beta readers are simply trial readers who read your book before it is published to give you feedback on how you can improve your book. If they like it, why not ask for a review at the same time?

Here’s how you do it:

a) Find your beta readers

Because you want people who can give meaningful feedback, your mum probably isn’t the best choice. Instead, look for other people in your industry (who can give feedback on the veracity of your content) or people who meet your target reader demographic (who can give feedback on how engaging and useful they found the book).

You can make a shortlist of specific people, or reach out to communities (such as Facebook groups targeting certain demographics) asking for volunteers. I targeted a business Facebook group where a lot of the members want to write a book.

b) Make your pitch

Like when you’re making any pitch, you want to focus on the benefits for the person you’re approaching. In my case, the benefits were a) learning how to write an awesome book, and b) get their testimonial featured in my book, along with their name and business name. Here’s the pitch:

I’m looking for volunteers!

My book ‘Book Blueprint : How any entrepreneur can write an awesome book’ teaches entrepreneurs how to create a blueprint so detailed that their book will write itself. While I’ve done this work with clients and used the process to write my own book, I’m looking for someone who can test the process in book form.

What’s in it for you – if you’ve been struggling to get your book out, this will teach you how to write it fast while avoiding the big mistakes many entrepreneurs make when writing their first book. You’ll also get a signed copy of the book once it comes out and, if you’d like to write a testimonial, that testimonial along with your business name and book (if you already have one) will be featured inside the front cover.

Caveat – I’m on a very tight publishing deadline, so need feedback in the next week (i.e. by next Tuesday). Because of this, please don’t volunteer unless you can read a 37,000 word book and do the exercises (these include mind mapping, brainstorming and answering questions) in the next week.

Thanks in advance    :)

The results​

I had 37 people volunteer to read the book (though I stopped taking on volunteers at 20). I sent out the book to the first 20 of them and ended up with 13 testimonials I could use before the one-week deadline was up.

When it comes to timing, I recommend sending the draft to beta readers after you’ve had an  initial structural edit , as sometimes this can lead to significant changes in your book, making it hard for them to give good feedback on earlier drafts.

It’s also important to be clear about when you need them to come back to you with their feedback. If you have a tight publishing schedule, you don’t want it to get put on hold because they don’t have time to look at your book. Instead, be clear about your deadlines up front and only send your draft to people who agree to have feedback back to you in time.

c) Get their feedback

Review their feedback, and look at how you can address it in your book (if you want to, of course). If their feedback is positive, ask if they’d be willing to leave a review on Amazon once your book is published – they could just copy and paste what they’ve already sent you.

d) Remind them to leave Amazon reviews

If they are happy to leave the review, copy and paste their feedback somewhere safe. Once your book is live on Amazon, send them an email (or Facebook message) asking if they’re still happy to leave a review, including the text that they’ve already sent you. Most of us are busy with a lot of our own things going on. It’s your job to make it as easy as possible for them to leave you a good review if they can just copy and paste what they’ve already written.

2. Reach out to people who leave a lot of Amazon reviews

Beta readers are fantastic, but if you don’t have time to engage beta readers in your publishing journey (or if they don’t get around to leaving a review – remember, people are busy), where else should you look?

Amazon has over  300 million users , who have collectively left hundreds of millions of reviews for books and other products. When it comes to those reviews, other shoppers can vote on whether or not they found the review helpful, which then contributes to the ranking of the reviewer themselves on Amazon.

If you look at  Amazon’s top reviewers , you’ll find that these people have reviewed a lot of products (often in the thousands). But their reviews also tend to be balanced and go into a lot of depth, which is why they have so many ‘helpful’ votes.

Why should this matter to you?

Because Amazon gives you free access to reviewers who have the ability to read your book and provide a review quickly. They will also put a lot of thought and energy into your review to ensure it's of value. This makes the review more helpful for your potential readers and a more powerful endorsement for your book.

Just consider these examples of reviews for  Book Blueprint  –  review 1 ,  review 2 , and  review 3 .

But how do you do it?

a) Find relevant reviewers

I’ve found the best way to find reviewers is to find people who have already reviewed books like yours. After all, this demonstrates that they have an interest in your subject area, which means they are more likely to read and review your book.

This is how you find them:

1. Search on Amazon for books like yours.

In other words, you want to find other books in your genre that are targeting a similar audience. In my case, I looked for other books on writing, self-publishing and book marketing that were targeted at an entrepreneur audience. For example,  Your First 1,000 Copies   by  Tim Grahl  and  Published  by  Chandler Bolt .

2. Make a list of people who have reviewed that book.

Because time is precious and I want the best return on the time I invest, I restricted my approach to people who had:

• Reviewed the book in the last 12 months
• Left a review longer than one paragraph (after all, I want credible reviews, not someone writing ‘great book’)
• Also reviewed similar books (you can see this by clicking on their profile link, which has a list of all of the products they’ve reviewed)

Keep in mind that not everyone will respond. Not everyone will agree to review your book. Some of those who do agree might not get around to it. So, aim for at least 50 names on your list. You can also compile a new list in a few months’ time, when more books like yours have been released, and when more reviews have been added to the old ones.

3. Compile their information in a spreadsheet. ​

I created a spreadsheet with columns for the reviewer’s name, the book they reviewed, a link to their profile and their contact details. If you come up with the initial list of books, a VA can be a great help when it comes to building the list of reviewers and tracking down all of their information.

Next pitch them! Ideally via email, using the contact details you’ve sourced (though I’ve also approached reviewers over Facebook Messenger and via contact forms).

Here’s a template you can use for your own pitch:

Dear  [Reviewer Name] ,

I saw your review of  [Book Title]  on Amazon and, when I clicked through to your profile, I noticed that you’ve reviewed a number of other books like this in the past.

[Explain why you like this person’s reviewing style. Is it that they go into depth? Is it their honest criticism and feedback? Is it that they summarise the main learnings of the books they review?]  Because of this, I wanted to reach out about my book.

[Tell them about your book, including the title with a link to its Amazon page, as well as what it will help your readers achieve.]  I’m happy to send you a free copy of the paperback and/or a PDF and would love it if you could share your thoughts.

I understand you probably get a lot of requests like this, so if you could let me know either way, I’d appreciate it.

[Your Name]

c) Follow up

Again, people are busy, so if you don’t hear from someone after a week, don’t stress. Instead, follow up to confirm that they got your email and to check whether they’d be interested in reviewing a free copy of your book.

If they agree to review your book, then be patient. These reviewers are reading and reviewing your book as a favour to you – someone they probably don’t even know – so be patient. If you haven’t heard anything in 4-6 weeks (allowing time for postage), follow up again.

3. Submit your book to Amazon review sites (paid and free)

There are also a range of book review sites where you can submit your book, some of which will republish their review on Amazon. For those that don’t, you can republish the review yourself as an editorial review through your  Amazon Author Central  account.

The submission process can vary depending on the site (or publication), with some being paid while others are free. Some require physical copies while others are happy with a PDF, Word doc, .mobi or .epub file. Further, some guarantee reviews, while with others you just send your book out into the ether and hope for the best.

However, here are some common steps involved.

a) Online submissions

• 1 Compile a list of review sites:  There are  a lot of these sites out there, so vet them based on the types of books they cover. Do they cover other books like yours? Also look at the size of their audience.
• 2 Gather information about your book: Most review sites require a standard suite of information. If you have all of this ready to go, you can easily submit to a range of sites in a single sitting (or ask a VA to take care of it for you). This information includes:
• Book title, book subtitle, author name, and price (eBook, paperback or both)
• Your author bio
• Book synopsis/blurb
• Links to your book’s listing on Amazon and other retailers
• Image of your book’s cover
• Author headshot
• Keywords (usually genre and other relevant terms)
• 3 Submit! Once you have all of the information together, gather it into a Word or Excel file and simply copy and paste the information into your submission forms. Note that many of these sites have a lot of traffic, so it might take a few months before your Amazon reviews go live.

b) Paperback submissions

As mentioned earlier, some reviewers prefer paperback submissions to eBook ones. Some of these review publications and websites include  the Barnes and Noble Review ,  Booklist Online ,  BookPage  and  Foreword Reviews .

With electronic submissions, you’ll receive a submission confirmation by email and will be alerted when your review is live. Paperback submissions are much harder to track. You probably won’t get told when your book arrives, if it will get reviewed, or if it has  been reviewed. However, the only cost to you is a copy of your book and the cost of postage, so why not?

The steps are:

1. Compile a list of reviewers and review sites​

Let me know in the comments if you’d like a list of the different sites where you can submit your book!

2. Write a cover letter to go with your book

​ Most review sites require a standard suite of information, which they will list on their website. You can then write a standard cover letter and add, remove, information as is necessary. Here’s a sample cover letter you can use:

Dear  [Contact Name] ,

Please find enclosed a copy of my book,  [Book title] , for review consideration in  [Publication] .

The details of the book are:

– ISBN:  [If your book is available in multiple formats, include all ISBNs]

– Publication date:

– Publisher:  [If applicable]

[Your name]

​ Post a copy of your book and cover letter to them. Note that many of these reviewers require books 2-4 before their publication date, so you’ll need to be looking into this well in advance of your date of publication.

And there you have it – three simple ways to collect Amazon reviews for your book, even before you launch.

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Your good knowledge and kindness in playing with all the pieces were very useful. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not encountered such a step like this.

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Great article and a detailed way of getting your book reviewed. Well done!

FYI, and to perhaps add to this article, we do free book reviews for independent authors.

We are a group of retired people in New Zealand who get tired of bungee jumping or diving icebergs (Haha!), so we play golf, read books, write books, and do free book reviews if we like your book.

We write books too, so we like to see what other authors are currently doing.

We try to post our reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N and our social media. In other words, we give a free review (it may take some time) if we like your book and we read your book if it interests us.

See our book review page for more info > > https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html

Thank you for this helpful article! I would like a current list of the different review sites where I can submit your book!

Super helpful. Thank you. Would love to receive a copy of that list. Thanks much!

Super helpful post, thanks so much. I’d love a list of online review sites if you could send me one!

I like the post. Could I get a list of review sites please?

Nice post. I would definitely like a list of review sites!

Useful information, however, when I go to Amazon reviewers and click names to contact them there is no way to get in touch . Is this something Amazon no longer allows? Maybe I’m not looking in the right place?

Hi there, great article. Do you have the list of review sites that we could use for our book – it’s a book on family travel? Thanks so much!

What a great article filled with exactly what I needed. I would love a list of review sites! Thank you for putting this information out there.

This is an excellent article on how to get book reviews. It is very comprehensive too. If you need a review it doesn’t hurt to ask Team Golfwell since these retired people offer free book reviews and have done many positive reviews >> https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html #freebookreviews #authors #freebookpromotion

great article-appreciate all your helpful tips and I would love a list of the review sites thank you!

“In most cases, when a book has more than a handful of Amazon reviews, those reviews have been solicited.” I’m going to go ahead and say that there’s probably no data to back up that statement. We’ve gotten some solicited, but many not. I think it depends on the content of the book. Since it looks like you’ve also written a “real” book, i.e., non-fiction, I will share some marketing ideas that may not be found anywhere else. As it stands now, all the big players are in bed together: Google, Amazon, Facebook, WordPress, etc. As proof, we got 15 or so Facebook likes on our website one day. Correspondingly, our ranking on Amazon _dramatically_ shot up. Of course, purchases on Amazon also affect ranking as do pages being read through their shared forum, KDP select. Anyone who has written NF will most likely find Smashwords or any other platform to be a waste of time. At one point, we sold 3 books on Smashwords and 1 on Google books. At that same time we had already sold hundreds (Amazon).

Another thing on Amazon that may not directly affect your ranking but should certainly increase sales is being active in their community. Find other books in your genre and comment helpfully on the reviews others have written for them, particularly books getting a lot of attention, i.e., best sellers, new releases, or those with many reviews. We’ve done this and have gotten great results, especially when recommending another author whose work is nearly as important as ours for Americans. Our work has been called “the most important book written for Americans this century!” And, quite frankly, it is.

Other ways to market your book: 1) Take advantage of affiliate marketing. This is perhaps the most powerful tool and was essentially the way the internet operated pre-search engines. We’ve got our own affiliate program that’s the best in the business, and I will give the source code to whoever wants it.

2) Offer a quiz on your site or something else interactive whereby you can offer a free or discounted book to anyone who gets a perfect score.

3) Have a referral program for anyone who buys your book or anything related to it on your website. Our referral program is 3-level: 5%, 8%, and 12%. Again, I’ve written the code and will give it to anyone who wants it.

4) Host a show and have guests on it wherein the discussion is related to your book or his/hers.

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Blog • Book Marketing

Last updated on Feb 07, 2023

How to Get Book Reviews in 5 Steps (2024 Update)

About ricardo fayet.

Reedsy co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Ricardo Fayet is one of the world's leading authorities in marketing indie books. He is a regular presenter at several prestigious writers' conferences, where his unique personal style has made him an instantly recognizable figure.

Imagine the day of your book launch. You’re sitting in front of your computer, blissfully imagining all the five-star book reviews that will soon be yours. Yet the days pass... and the reviews don't come.

Needless to say, you'll want people to buy and read your book ASAP so they can leave you some good reviews. But you may see the Catch-22 here: in order to make your first sales, you’ll need to display positive book reviews. So how do you get the chicken before you’ve got the egg (or vice versa)?

Enter book bloggers , who are your new best friends! For this post, we asked our top Reedsy publicists to share their best tips on how to get book reviews from book bloggers — and we've condensed their advice into these five essential steps, plus a few bonus tips at the end.

You can also check out this Reedsy Live on how to get your first book reviews, with advice from author and book marketer Debbie Drum.

Those who prefer their tips in written form, let's dive right in with the very first step of the review acquisition process!

1. Identify your audience

A quick preliminary note: you want to start the review-gathering as early as possible. If you can, plan your book review campaign 4-6 months in advance of your publication date. Because if you want your reviews to be in place by then, you’ll need to give people time to actually write them!

Now, using the "5 W’s of Storytelling," let's talk about the first thing you should be asking yourself: who? Who will be reading your book, and who is best positioned to promote it to that audience? The following tips will help you answer these questions.

Build a questionnaire

Here are a few more specific queries to help you clarify your "who":

• Who reads in my genre?
• What magazines, websites, forums, or blogs do they frequent?
• Where might they find reviews of my book that will entice them to buy it?

Indeed, publicist Jessica Glenn recommends building a full-length questionnaire to identify your audience and where you might find them on the Web (or in real life!).

“Most, if not all, publicists and publishers send authors a very long questionnaire to fill out when they start their marketing plan ,” she says. “That's so we can dig into any useful piece of bio, community, or regional info to figure out who and why people will be interested in your book.”

Your questionnaire will direct you to your target audience and help you create a  proto-persona.  This is the "ideal reader" of your book, so to speak — a perfect blend of the traits you'd expect them to have. (For example, if you've written a YA paranormal romance novel, your proto-persona might be a 14-year-old girl who's obsessed with Twilight .) And whoever they are, you'll keep them in mind every time you make a marketing decision.

Think about comp titles

Another great way to get a handle on your target audience is to figure out your comparative titles — books that are a) similar to yours and b) share the same general readership. When pitching to book reviewers, these are the titles you'll use to sell your own  book . For instance, "My book is  Normal People meets The Incendiaries ."

According to Jessica, you should have at least 15 potential comp titles for your book, ideally a mix of bestsellers and well-reviewed indie titles. “Many first-time authors balk at this," says Jessica, "as they believe there is no true comp for their book — but dig deep and you'll find them!”

Comp titles are critical because they act as a compass, pointing you towards a ready-made audience that enjoys works in the same mold as yours. This is a huge help in determining your target readers, as well as which reviewers will cater to them. Speaking of which...

2. Find relevant book blogs

Now that you’ve got a strong sense of your audience, you're ready to find blogs that will provide the best exposure to that audience. We recommend starting with our directory of 200+ book review blogs , but feel free to do your own research as well!

As you dig into book review blogs, check on these two things first:

• Is the site active? Has the blogger published a post within the last month or so?
• Are they currently accepting queries? If they're closed at the moment, it could be months before your book gets a review — if at all.

And if you want to confirm your book marketing strategy when it comes to book review blogs, we recommend first taking this quick quiz below!

Which book review site is right for you?

Find out here! Takes one minute.

Once you've confirmed that a book review blog is both active and open to queries, think about whether it's right for your  book. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Genre . Don't waste your time on blogs that don't review books in your genre. "Be very mindful of a publication’s particular audience and target market when pitching for review. If their readership is science-fiction, do not pitch a commercial crime novel!” says publicist Hannah Cooper .
• Traffic . High-traffic book blogs might seem like your highest priorities, but this isn’t necessarily true. “Don't shy away from the smaller blogs,” says publicist Beverly Bambury . “They can sometimes foster a real sense of community and starting off small is just fine."
• Posting frequency.  Another consideration is how often the blogger in question actually publishes reviews. Too often, and your book will get lost in the shuffle; too seldom, and they're likely to lose readers. Try to strike a balance with about 1-2 reviews per week — no decent reviewer can turn them out faster than that, anyway!

Track down your comp titles' reviewers

Remember those comp titles you came up with earlier? You can use them not only to pitch your book, but also to find potential reviewers , as they will correspond perfectly with your genre and target audience.

“Once you have your 15-or-so comps, you can research where each book has been reviewed,” says Jessica. “With luck, you will find at least a couple of book reviews per title, which will give you many more outlets to investigate further.”

Now, as an author, you might be wondering: “How can I begin to find all the places where a given book was reviewed?” Don’t forget the power of Google! Try searching the following terms to find reviews for a given title:

• [Title] + book review
• [Title] + review
• [Title] + Q&A

And here's one last tip to give you a boost — sign up for a "Mention" account and/or set up Google alerts to get a notification every time these titles appear online.

Once you’re armed with a bundle of suitable book review blogs, you've arrived at the third (and perhaps most crucial) step in this process. This is, of course, creating the pitches you'll send to reviewers.

Free course: How to get book reviews

Learn how to get the book reviews you need to turn browsers into buyers. Get started now.

3. Write pitches for them

Pitching a reviewer is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is a) keep it short, and and b) personalize it as much as possible. However, before we get to our publicists’ actionable tips on pitching, there’s one more thing that you absolutely HAVE to do. And that thing is...

Read the review policy!

Before you pitch any blog, make sure you read the blogger’s review policy. Some blogs will have a form to fill out; others might ask you to email them directly. Still others might not welcome any queries from self-published authors . Whatever they say, make sure that you follow it to a T.

“There are two main benefits to reading and following the review policies closely,” says Beverly. “First, you show the reviewer that you respect and appreciate them when you follow their instructions. This is important when asking someone to do you a favor.

"Second, you may find that even if the site is closed for review queries, it's open to publicity queries — where you might be able to place an excerpt or do a Q&A or occasional blog post. You'll never know if you don't take the time to read the review policy first.”

More tips for pitching reviewers

Now that you’re clear on what the blogger wants, you can start pitching them with confidence. Here are three more key tips for pitching book reviewers:

1. Never send out bulk pitches. "When you pitch each outlet individually, specifically write that you read their positive book review of your comp and what that comp title was,” says Jessica Glenn. Or if you didn't find them through a comp title, mention other  aspects of their blog and why you think they would be great to review your book!

2. Be concise and direct. “Include your title, publisher, date of release, and genre in the first paragraph,” notes Beverly Bambury. “Then you might want to include the cover copy or a brief description of the book. Finally, be direct and ask for what you want. If you want a review, ask for it! If you want an excerpt placed, ask for that.”

3. Appeal to their commercial side. “All reviewers want the opportunity to discover the next 'big thing’ — particularly with fiction — so make them feel as though they have the opportunity to get the word out first," says Hannah Cooper. Indeed, if you can convince a reviewer that you are doing them  a favor, you're practically guaranteed to get a review.

Basically, try to get reviewers to think, “Oh, if I enjoyed [comp title], I’ll enjoy this person's book too,” or “They've done the research to know that I’m a good fit for their book.” If you can do that, you’re already much closer than everyone else to obtaining high-quality book reviews !

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4. Send out your book

This is the step before the moment of truth (the review itself), so it's extremely important to get everything right. To ensure you're complying with each reviewer's guidelines, review their policy again before you send them your book. Some bloggers might prefer digital copies of manuscripts, while others might want a physical ARC — be prepared to accommodate.

Also, as you begin sending your book to various outlets, you should track your progress in a spreadsheet. Record which blogs you’ve submitted to so far, which blogs have responded, and which blogs you plan to submit to, so you don't accidentally double-submit or skip over anyone.

Formatting your book

Other than double-checking the review policy, the most important thing to do here is to format your book in a professional manner . After all, you want the presentation of your content to match the quality! Even though it shouldn't technically matter, reviewers will definitely judge your book by how it looks, inside and out.

The good news for self-formatters that you probably won't need to send physical proofs, and ebooks are much easier to format than hard copies. Digital copies also cost next-to-nothing to produce, so you can easily send multiple copies of your book out to different reviewers. You may want to check out apps like Instafreebie and Bookfunnel , which make it easy to generate individual ARC download links that you can send to the reviewers.

Pro tip : If you’re searching for a good book production tool,  Reedsy Studio can format and convert your manuscript into professional EPUB and print-ready files in a matter of seconds!

5. Follow up after a week

A week or more has passed since you queried a book blog, and so far… crickets. What do you do now? Why, follow up,  of course!

When it comes to this stage, keep calm and follow Hannah Hargrave’s advice: “Don't bother reviewers for an answer daily. I will usually chase again after a week has passed.

"If you receive a decline response, or no one responds to your third chase-up, assume this means they are not interested. Any further follow-ups, or aggressive requests as to why your work's not being reviewed, will not be viewed kindly. Above all, be polite and friendly at all times.”

That said, someone rejecting your book for review is a worst-case scenario. Best-case scenario, the blogger responds favorably and you’ve bagged yourself a review!

What comes next, you ask?

The reviewer will post their review of your book on their blog — and on Amazon, Goodreads, and any other platforms that they’ll name in their review policy. This is yet another reason why it's vital to read that policy carefully, so you know exactly where  the review will be seen.

If all goes well, the reviewer will publish a positive review that you can use to further promote your book. Maybe you'll even get a decent pull-quote for your book description ! Not to mention that if you ever write a sequel, you can almost certainly count on them for a follow-up review.

Pro-tip: Want to write a book description that sells? Download this free book description template to get a headstart. 

FREE RESOURCE

Book Description Template

Learn to write a book description that will make readers click “buy.”

But what if you don't get any bites from book bloggers, or — horror of horrors — one of them gives you a negative review? Fortunately, the next two sections should help you deal with each of these possible dilemmas.

Bonus ways to get book reviews

Though book bloggers are the most reliable and professional source of reviews for independent authors, you may want to try other avenues to maximize your chances! Here are three more ways to get book reviews  for your work, so you can bolster your Amazon profile and start making some serious sales.

1. Tell your followers about your book

Though Amazon prohibits reviews from close friends and family , you're free to tell your random social media followers about your book and hope they leave good reviews. It obviously helps if you have a large following on Twitter or Instagram, even more so if some of those followers are fellow authors who appreciate the significance of reviews.

That said, NEVER offer "review swaps" or any kind of promotional enticement for customers to leave reviews, as this would also be against Amazon's terms. Simply let your followers know you've got a book out and that you'd love for them to read it; the rest is in their hands. However, when it comes to reviews, any amount of awareness is better than none.

2. Submit to Reedsy Discovery

Finally, for a professional review option that's a bit less time-and-effort-consuming on your part, you can submit your book right here on Reedsy Discovery! The platform allows authors to share their books with readers who are right up their alley, plus get the chance to be reviewed by one of our Discovery writers. If they leave a good review, you'll be featured in our newsletter, which goes out to thousands of subscribers every week.

Sounds pretty sweet, right? And it only takes a few minutes to submit .

Is your book ready for Discovery?

Take our quiz to find out! Takes only 1 minute.

How to deal with negative reviews

Once your work is out there in the world, you can’t control other people’s reactions to it. “Remember, by submitting your book for review, you're accepting that some people might not enjoy it,” says Hannah Hargrave. “It can be very tough after you’ve spent months or years crafting your novel, only for some reviewer to tear it apart. But you need to be prepared."

In that vein, here are some final tips on how to deal with bad reviews:

1. Have someone else read them first . This might be your agent, your friend, or your mom — anyone you trust to pre-screen your reviews. They can inform you whether each negative review is a worthwhile (if humbling) read, or just too nasty to stomach.

2. Ignore unreasonably hateful reviews . Easier said than done, yes, but really try to tune out these people! For example, if they're clearly not your target audience, but insist on pretending like they are. Or people who pick apart your sentences word-by-word, just for the "fun" of it. There's no sense in agonizing over readers who are determined to hate you, so block them on every platform and refuse to read anything else they write.

3. Address valid criticisms . You're only human, and your book won't be perfect. If someone points this out in a constructive way , acknowledge it and do what you can to fix it. This may be as simple as editing a misleading blurb, or as complex as restructuring your entire series. But if you're the author we know you are, you'll be up to the task.

Every author's book is different, but the process for getting book reviews is reassuringly universal. To recap: identify your audience, find relevant blogs, pitch them, send out your book, and don't forget to follow up! On top of that, feel free to try alternative strategies, and remember not to take the bad reviews too personally.

Yes, marketing a book may be madness, but the process of getting reviews lends method to that madness. So go forth and get your reviews — you deserve them! 🙌

Special thanks to book publicists Jessica Glenn , Hannah Hargrave , Hannah Cooper , and Beverly Bambury for their input and suggestions throughout this article. If you have any more questions about how to get book reviews, let us know in the comments!

2 responses

Elena Smith says:

25/09/2018 – 22:33

Excellent Write up. I have thoroughly gone through the article and according to my personal observations you have done a great job writing this Article.Being associated with writing profession, I must mention that AcademicWritingPro are quite helpful nowadays.Furthermore, quality is also an important aspect.

Team Golfwell says:

11/12/2018 – 05:38

We do free book reviews if your book interests us. We are a group of retired people in New Zealand who play golf, read books, write books, and do free book reviews if we like your book. We write books too, so we like to see what other authors are currently doing and it is amazing to see what writers are creating. We try to post our reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and our social media. See our book review page for more info > > https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html #bookreviews #kindlebookreviews #amazonbookreviews #indiebookreviews https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4ad92dde2f70456000bf5c44af3489ee638dae511be91f7b8cb1545acb388cdb.jpg

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Amazon Editorial Reviews: An Indie Author’s Secret Weapon

In this post, we’ll explain why Amazon editorial reviews matter, how to secure them, and how to use them to impact your launch.

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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

It’s probably not a surprise to you that Amazon is the world’s biggest bookstore, but do you know just how big it is? According to available data, Amazon distributes between 50 percent of printed books and 75 percent of eBooks in the US. So, to say that Amazon sales are vital to authors is an understatement.

Table of Contents: • Do Amazon book reviews matter? • Amazon’s algorithm • Book discoverability • Credibility • Optimize your book’s Amazon page • The importance of authentic reviews • Tips for getting book reviews on Amazon    1. Ask for reviews (in your book)    2. Promote on social media and newsletters    3. Connect with your author network    4. Reach out to influential book reviewers    5. Monitor negative reviews and feedback    6. Run Amazon book promotions    7. Use an automated platform • How many reviews should you get?

How do you stand out in such a crowded marketplace? Reviews. Book reviews not only boost your search engine ranking, but they also raise customer confidence in your books. So, how do you go about getting them? Let’s spell out what you should do — as well as what you shouldn’t do — to get book reviews on Amazon.

Do Amazon book reviews matter?

Getting an Amazon review isn’t just crucial to the success of your book, you need to land as many reviews as you can as soon as your book launches . Why? Three reasons: Amazon’s algorithm, book discoverability, and credibility.

Amazon’s algorithm

Amazon has the world’s third largest search engine, behind Google and YouTube, and how you and your books are ranked in search results is largely dependent on reviews. When a book receives positive reviews, it signals to Amazon that it is well-received by readers. This can lead to improved search rankings, making it easier for potential readers to discover your book, which will lead to more sales, which in turn will lead to more reviews, and around and around it goes.

Book discoverability

Reviews also play a vital role in the “customers who bought this also bought” and “recommended for you” sections of Amazon’s website. When book sales and reviews increase, it can lead to increased visibility among readers who have purchased books similar to yours. This is essentially free advertising to a highly targeted audience. What more could you ask for?

Credibility

A verified review acts as social proof, assuring potential readers that your book is worth their time and money. Think about your own book-buying experiences. Even if you are buying a book by an author you already enjoy, you still probably check the reviews to make sure this new book is up to snuff.

Considering these factors, it’s evident that Amazon book reviews are crucial for independent authors. OK, so how do you go about obtaining them?

[hana-code-insert name=’CTA Publish 2′ /]

Optimize your book’s Amazon page

Before you start seeking reviews, it’s essential to optimize your book’s Amazon page to maximize its visibility. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

• Keyword research. Research relevant keywords and phrases related to your book’s genre and/or content. Incorporate these keywords into your book’s title, subtitle, and description to improve search visibility. Here are some great keyword do’s and don’ts .
• Attention-grabbing cover. Be sure to invest in a professional and visually appealing book cover design . A captivating cover can entice potential readers to click on your book and learn more.
• Compelling description. Write a compelling book description that not only summarizes your book but also entices readers to want more. Use vivid language, incorporate your keywords, and be sure to highlight the unique aspects of your story. Most importantly: Edit your description! This is the last place you want a typo showing up. BookBaby offers an Amazon optimization service to help you maximize your keywords and description.
• Author bio. Craft an engaging author bio . Don’t be afraid to expound a little here. Add interesting details and personalize it so readers feel like they know something about you.
• Choose the right categories. Select the most relevant and specific categories for your book. This will help your book appear in niche-specific searches and increases its discoverability and increase your chances of being an Amazon best-seller.
• Book preview. Be sure to enable the “Look Inside” feature to allow readers to preview a portion of your book. A well-chosen preview can encourage readers to make a purchase, whereas books that don’t use this feature are likely to be passed over.

The importance of authentic reviews

Here are things you cannot do to get Amazon reviews:

• You cannot pay for reviews. No cash. No prizes. You can give out free advance review copies of your book, though you cannot require a reader to review your book. You also cannot tell anyone what to say in their reviews. (This is why it’s vital to write a great book!)
• You cannot exchange reviews. Don’t go posting on social media anything like, “Hey, I’ll give you five stars if you do the same for me.”
• You can’t review your own book or have your family review it. Amazon is savvy when it comes to tracking your close personal relationships.

Tips for getting book reviews on Amazon

Here are seven practical strategies for getting book reviews on Amazon.

1. Ask for reviews (in your book)

Add a sentence or two at the end of your book asking readers to leave an honest review on Amazon. Rather than tell them that it will help you sell more copies, appeal to their sense of helping their fellow readers find books that will appeal to them.

2. Promote on social media and newsletters

Here’s where all your hard work marketing on social media will pay off. Tell your followers that your new book is coming out and ask them if they would like to be a part of your review team. If you have an email newsletter (and you should) reach out to your mailing list and request reviews.

3. Connect with your author network

Authors are always looking to support their peers, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them to ask for reviews. To build your author network, attend writing conferences and join online author forums or groups.

4. Reach out to influential book reviewers

Many book reviewers accept requests from authors for book reviews. Craft a polite and personalized email requesting a review of your book and provide them with a copy in the format they prefer. Be sure to read their submission guidelines and follow them meticulously. Just know that these reviewers are often booked out months in advance, so contact them as soon as you have your advanced reader copy .

5. Monitor negative reviews and feedback

Not all reviews will be glowing, and that’s okay. A bad review can provide valuable insights for improvement. Always approach negative feedback professionally and constructively. Respond to reviews politely and thank readers for their feedback. Demonstrating that you value reader opinions can enhance your credibility and encourage more reviews.

6. Run Amazon book promotions

Consider running Amazon promotions, such as Kindle Countdown Deals or free book promotions. These promotions can boost your book’s visibility and attract a larger audience, which can result in more reviews.

7. Use an automated platform

If you are completely overwhelmed by the thought of trying to round up reviewers and organize the distribution of your ARCs, you can use reviewer websites like BookFunnel , StoryOrigin , or Booksprout . For a small fee, these companies can connect you to their huge list of readers, plus they offer easy ways for eager reviewers to get your book. If someone raises their hand and asks to be a reviewer, you can simply send them to your BookFunnel, StoryOrigin, or Booksprout page, and they can take it from there. Prices range from $5 to $20 per month, depending on the number of services you want.

How many reviews should you get?

A good goal to strive for is 20 reviews in your first two months of publication. Once you achieve 50 reviews, your book will have enough momentum to keep driving book sales, which will drive more reviews, etc.

You can see why getting book reviews on Amazon is so critical for the success of your self-published book. Reviews boost visibility, credibility, and can give you a competitive edge in the crowded marketplace. Follow the strategies outlined in this article and you will increase your chances of securing the reviews you need to boost your sales and get you ready for your next book.

[hana-code-insert name=’Amazon How To’ /]

Related Posts How to Get Book Reviews Why Amazon Keywords Matter for Your Book About the Author Examples to Get You Inspired How to Market a Book on Social Media What is an Advance Reader Copy?

Mahalo, this is clear and concise summary of what I need to do for my book “Lahaina Town, My Heart-MyHome.” Where I will find the time while writing the second book in the series and building a home is the larger question.

With such an influx of small press and Indy publications, reviews are crucial and you have done a superb job in delineating an excellent strategy. Thank you.

Excellent article that summarizes all the points I’ve heard in various webinars. Marketing is the most difficult task for self-published authors. It’s simply not in their skill set, but skill sets can be developed. N

Good advice and clearly laid out. Thank you!

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• Amazon , Reviews

How To Get Amazing Book Reviews On Amazon (2022 Update)

Before making a purchase online, book, or other, have you ever checked the reviews? You probably have. 

Was your buying decision influenced by those reviews? It probably was.

And it should. 

How Important Are Amazon Book Reviews?

Reviews are one of the biggest quality signals of any product. 

Reviews are also a large part of how Amazon’s algorithm ranks books in their categories. Sales and reviews signal that a book has traction. Traction boosts ranking. The higher the rank, the more that Amazon will push your book and include it in recommendations. 

In conclusion: reviews create traction, traction boosts rank, rank increases visibility, visibility generates sales, sales make reviews… you should be able to see how this can snowball in your favor.

Amazon reviews build trust

A potential reader is a lot more likely to buy your book if they can see that it’s already been vouched for by those who have read it. People are most likely to trust the opinion of other people, and that’s why reviews can be a make-or-break factor of your book’s success.

What if I get bad reviews?

A high-star rating is obviously going to be best, but even a low-star rating is better than getting no reviews at all. No reviews mean low to no sales, which could mean that your book is even worse than just bad– it’s not getting read at all.

Luckily, you have some control over whether or not your book gets read and reviewed. If you are willing to put in the work, you can get reviews.

Should I pay Amazon’s top book reviewers?

Let me be clear— do not try to buy reviews . 

Not only is that highly unethical, it’s ineffective. 

Amazon is remarkably good at picking up on fake reviews , and they’ll typically get taken down right after they’re posted. So whatever good that a fake review might do for you, it doesn’t stay up long enough anyways. All you’ll end up doing here is waste money and possibly get your KDP account flagged. It’s just not worth it.

Besides, you can get reviews for free. Once you get sales, you’re likely to get some reviews as well. 

How Do I Get The Best Amazon Book Reviews?

Aside from general *promotion*, here are the best ways to get reviews for your book.

• Advanced Reader Copy (or ARCs)

Hands down, the best way to get reviews for your book is *ARCs*. 

An ARC, or Advanced Reader Copy , is basically a trade-off between you and an advanced reader. They get to read your book for free ahead of publication, you get reviews once your book goes live. 

We’ve already talked about how important it is to get those early reviews, so it’s easy to see how giving out ARCs can be incredibly beneficial to get your book that initial traction for ranking and visibility. Any author, independent or otherwise, should always include using ARCs as part of their *book launch strategy*.

The most important thing to know about ARCs is that you need to consider the timing of when you give your ARCs out and when you remind your ARC readers to write a review. Do either of them too early or too late, and you’re likely to lose out.

Things to consider when going down the ARCs route:

i. Time it right

You should give out your ARCs far enough ahead of your publication date so that your ARC readers have enough time to completely read it, but not so far ahead that they’ll forget about it entirely. 

Always consider your book’s length, but we typically see that about two weeks ahead is most effective. Again, this value can vary. If you’ve written something that rivals the word count in War and Peace , then you may want to consider giving them a long time to get through it.

But you need to be very careful when you send out this reminder. If you message all of your ARC readers at once, you might get a bunch of reviews at the same time. 

A sudden high volume of incoming reviews can look suspicious to Amazon’s detective software, and you could risk getting perfectly good reviews removed. 

To avoid any possible issues, you can stagger your incoming review by organizing your ARC readers into different “groups” to message at separate times.

ii. Send out reminders

Never trust that your ARC readers are going to remember when your book goes live, though. They are humans and they are likely to forget. 

Always send a polite email to thank them for reading your book, remind them that your book is now published, explain that an honest review would be helpful, and then attach a link to your Amazon page.

iii. Appropriate wording

While asking ARCs to read your book, make sure to include a great elevator pitch to get them interested. Once they’ve agreed to read your book, follow it up with asking them for an honest review.

You might have noticed the word “honest” is used a lot in this post. When asking for reviews, you need to be using that word just as much. 

Outright asking for 5-star reviews is tactless, annoying, and will often lead to reviews getting removed. You don’t even need to say it explicitly, anyways. Your ARC readers and support network will most often write a positive review.

• Using Your Support Network

Most people are lucky to have family and friends that are interested in and support their endeavors. Hopefully, you’re one of those people. 

A support network is great to have for many reasons, but one of them is that they’ll do just about anything you ask– pick you up from the airport, loan money, probably even give you a kidney. And if you ask nicely, you can even get them to write a review for your book.

Reaching out to your friends and family for reviews often proves to be the best return on your time. Out of everyone in the world, they’re the most likely to do it.

Here are some detailed steps on how to go about it:

Step 1: Write down a list of the names of all of the people in your life that actively support you. 

This means your best friend, could mean your parents, but definitely doesn’t mean the girl you sat next to in third grade whose name you can’t remember. 

Step 2: Compile a mailing list

Next to their names, write down their email addresses. Instead of contacting each and every person one by one, you can simply create an email list to send out a message en masse.

Step 3: Compose a request email

Your email can be personalized, or you can send out a general email to all your contacts. Make sure to use polite, appreciative language in your email. It can look something like this:

Hey [name of person],

Thank you so much for all of the support as I’ve been writing. [Title of book] is now available on Amazon, and I need to ask you for a favor.

If possible, it would really help me out a lot if you could write an honest review for my book. I’ve attached a link to my Amazon page below. Again, thank you.

[your name]

Step 4: Follow-up

If they don’t end up writing a review, don’t take it personally. Don’t even bring it up. You’re asking them for a favor after all, and they’re free to decline. 

And if they do write a review, be sure to personally thank them. You can send out a thank you email, card, or text to let them know how much it means to you.

• Remind Your Readers

The easiest, most passive way to get reviews is to simply include a reminder at the end of your book. Readers who have just finished your book are more inclined to leave a review while it’s still fresh in their minds, so this is the easiest and most immediate way to ask them. You can write a page along these lines:

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my book. I’d love to hear your opinion– the good, bad, and ugly. If you could take a few more minutes of your time, please leave a review on my Amazon page.

Now, you’re not necessarily going to get hundreds of extra reviews this way. People typically don’t like to do something that doesn’t really benefit them unless they’re prodded to. But it’s one extra thing you can do that might get you a few extra reviews, and that makes it worthwhile.

If you have a blog or are looking to start blogging , you can use this platform to encourage your blog readers to leave a book review on Amazon. This way you’re appealing to people who are already invested in the work you do, so they might be more receptive and supportive.

Bottom Line

Your organic readers (as in, the people who bought and read your book) are the ones who are going to be leaving the most critical reviews. You are likely to get at least one bad review. That doesn’t make your book bad. Even great works have their haters. Consider the criticism only in terms of how you can improve your writing and don’t take it as a personal attack. Also, feel free to disregard what they say if it seems like they just wanted to complain. The world is full of those, and their opinions often aren’t worth much of anything.

When it comes to *your book launch*, getting reviews is typically going to be the biggest goal for overall success. Sales, ranking, visibility, everything tends to start after the 5-stars. The initial wave of reviews is that critical push you need to get the rest rolling.

Our comprehensive publishing services encompass everything from guiding you through the process of obtaining ARC reviews to coordinating your book launch strategy effectively. By leveraging our expertise, you can navigate the intricacies of garnering reviews and maximizing your book’s visibility on platforms like Amazon. Let us help you achieve your publishing goals and ensure that your book receives the attention it deserves.

Schedule a call with us today to learn more about how BrightRay can support you in writing, publishing, and promoting your book effectively.

• March 29, 2021

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Home / Book Publishing / Amazon Verified Reviews for Books: Everything You Need to Know

Amazon Verified Reviews for Books: Everything You Need to Know

Verified purchase reviews are the lifeblood of a high conversion rate. With a lot of reviews, people are more likely to buy your book. No reviews, and the opposite is likely to happen.

Amazon verified purchase reviews are especially important, because they prove that your book was purchased and reviewed by real people, not just potentially biased reviewers on your ARC team.

But how do you get a lot of verified book reviews? That is the question we are asking in this article.

• What verified reviews are
• Why they are important
• How to increase your verified reviews by yourself
• A service that can potentially help

Table of contents

• What Are Verified Reviews?
• Why Are Verified Reviews Important?
• 1. Encouraging Reviewers Yourself
• 2. Pay a Company to Encourage Verified Reviews
• Verified Review Service: Bookvertiser
• Final Thoughts

Disclaimer: some of the links in this article are affiliate links, but the cost you nothing extra, and every little bit goes to the Kindlepreneur coffee fund.

The short answer: an Amazon verified review is any review left by someone who actually purchased your book on Amazon.

It is a little bit more complicated than that, though.

Firstly, the review must come from someone who has spent at least $50 on Amazon products within a year. This is to weed out spambots and people who clearly aren't regularly active on Amazon.

Secondly, Amazon specifies that the reviewer can't have bought the book at a “big discount”. However, Amazon does not specify what this means. To be safe, we recommend keeping your book priced at $2.99 or higher. While I have seen verified reviews with $0.99 books, is not a guarantee. And free books are unlikely to lead to verified reviews.

Amazon then lists verified views with a “Verified Purchase” badge within the review.

As online shoppers got more tech savvy, they began to be wary of fake Amazon reviews. Amazon has done a lot to crack down on fake reviews, but it isn't always enough.

For example, Amazon allows authors to give out free copies of their books in exchange for a review. Naturally, this group is going to be slightly biased, because they got a free book.

Don't get me wrong, we absolutely encourage you to have ARC reviewers to get those first initial reviews. But understand that those reviews will not be verified.

By including the Verified Purchase badge, it becomes much more likely that that review is genuine. This leads to increased trust from the customer. The more verified reviews, the greater the likelihood that the reviews are accurate.

And the more a reader trusts that a high volume of reviews are genuine, the more likely they are to convert (aka buy your book).

How to Get Verified Amazon Reviews for Your Books

Since verified reviews require that the Amazon reviewer purchase your book, you cannot simply send your book out for free to an ARC team.

Instead, these reviews have to come from people who have genuinely bought your book.

There is a fine line to walk here, because you cannot pay someone to buy your book and leave a review. 

In other words, you can't encourage a friend to buy your book, then refund them.

So what can you do?

Well, you have two options.

• Encourage reviewers yourself
• Pay a company to do it for you

The first option is to encourage people to review your book. This is something you should do even if you pay a company to help you.

Warning: remember you cannot pay or refund someone to leave a verified purchase review. Doing so is against Amazon's terms of services and could get you banned.

Ultimately, the best way to get more reviews is to make more sales, because the higher the volume of sales, the more people you have that could leave a verified review.

However, there are ways that you can increase the percentage of buyers who leave a review, including:

• Include a review request in your book: make sure that every book has a request for a review at the back of your book, with a link (if it's an ebook) that goes directly to your review page. This should be one of the first things that a reader sees after finishing your book.
• Reach out to your email list: every once in a while, you should reach out to your email list and request that they leave a review. Do this frequently, so your list is used to hearing about it, especially when launching a book.
• Schedule book promotions: book promotions are still one of the best ways to get readers to buy your book. The more readers buy your book, the more likely you are to have reviews.
• Create a quality product: it goes without saying, but the better your book is, the more likely it is to be purchased and reviewed.

Additionally, you should use a tool like ReaderScout to track when reviews are left. This is especially important when requesting reviews from your email list, because you can then track the number of reviews that are left.

ReaderScout is a free Chrome plugin that will notify you every time you have a new review, and it tracks a few other things as well. Plus, it's free!

If you have already done all this, and you still want to get a few extra verified reviews, read on.

Your second option is to pay a company to get you verified reviews.

Important: these companies cannot pay or refund readers to leave verified reviews either. That is why you are not paying them to guarantee reviews. You are paying them to encourage readers to buy your book and leave a review.

It is difficult to find a good company that will stay within the boundaries Amazon has set and still get you quality verified reviews.

When looking for a company like this, we recommend you focus on two criteria:

• Companies that have lasted a while
• Companies with a public face (i.e. real people and not a faceless corporation)

One of the companies that we recommend is Bookvertiser.

Bookvertiser has an audience of highly engaged readers/reviewers in a variety of different genres.

What Bookvertiser does is reach out to this list to encourage them to buy your book and leave a verified review. They will continue to do this until you have reached the threshold of reviews that you select when you purchase.

Note that the costs are not always cheap. It takes a lot of work to guarantee a certain number of reviews, especially when you cannot pay a reviewer or refund them for leaving the review. 

They also can't guarantee that every review will be a positive review. While my experience tells me these reviewers are often kind, you might still get a negative review.

But using a service like Bookvertiser is one of the best ways to rapidly gain verified reviews without putting in a lot of the hard work yourself.

If you use this link and input the code KP5 , you’ll get 5% off your purchase order.

Reviews can be an uphill battle, but they are absolutely worth it.

If you can convince as many people in your audience to buy your book, then review it, you are well on your way to being easily discovered on Amazon.

Get enough sales, and a high enough conversion rate, and Amazon will begin marketing your book for you.

Jason Hamilton

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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How To Get Reviews On Amazon Books—10 Valuable Ways to Boost Your Rep

• September 18, 2022

Book reviews matter. 

If you’re a self-published author and you’ve uploaded a book to Amazon, you’re probably wondering how to boost your book’s reach and drive sales. 

While many marketing techniques and tactics increase your chances of success, one of the most effective is to receive book reviews.

If you can add positive reviews to your Amazon book, you can significantly boost your reputation as an author and drastically improve your sales. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to get reviews of your self-published book and enjoy the benefits of your bolstered reputation.

How to get reviews on Amazon book

You can try several methods to get more reviews on your Amazon book.

Below we’ll advise you on the most effective and ethical means of receiving reviews so that you can boost your book’s visibility and reputation, as well as your own reputation as an author.

1. Identify your target audience

It’s important to note that the earlier you get reviews for your book, the better. 

You’ll want your review ready by the time the book gets published to drive sales and boost your visibility and reach as early as possible. 

So, to get started, identify your target audience. 

Who will read your book? Is it aimed at a young adult audience or experts in a given field? Is it aimed at science fiction or fantasy fans, or more toward romance or mystery readers?

Once you’ve identified your target audience, find where they spend time online. 

Consider forums, Facebook groups, Reddit, Twitter, and other reader-based online spaces and establish a presence in these areas. Doing so will help you find readers already interested in your book’s genre, and what you have to say or the story you want to tell.

2. Reach out to book bloggers

Book bloggers have an established reputation among their followers, so they’re a great option when you’re seeking an Amazon review. 

Bear in mind that reviewing your book requires reading it first, so you’re asking this blogger to spend their precious time on your book. 

The first step in finding a blogger to review your book is to find those who are popular reviewers of your genre. 

Find social media accounts or conduct a Google search to find bloggers in your niche. Once you find an active and popular site, it becomes easier to find other sites and bloggers through that site’s blogroll. 

Once you’ve found a blogger with potential, write them a query letter. Explain that you believe your book is one they will enjoy, and relay information about their blog site and how you like their previous reviews of other books. 

It’s important to connect with the blogger and not just view them as a source of reviews.

3. Connect with Amazon Top Reviewers

Amazon Top Reviewers are known to leave high-quality reviews on books in a given genre or field. If you can identify a top reviewer you believe may be interested in reading and reviewing your book, reach out to them with a review request. 

Note that Top Reviewers receive an abundance of review requests regularly. As such, only reach out to those whose interests lie in your genre. 

It will damage your reputation if you spam top reviewers with review requests about books they have no interest in. 

Further, don’t send multiple review requests to the same reviewer if you don’t hear back the first time. Your reputation as an author is essential, so don’t damage it with spam and desperate attempts to get a review. 

4. Use paid book review services

Typically, self-publishing authors want to save as much money as possible. 

Given the costs required to cover editing and proofing, designing, layout, and other essential publishing steps, you may be hesitant to add even more to your expenditure by paying for book reviews.

However, several online book review sites can help you gather real, honest reviews for your book for a fee. Given that reviews drive sales, it may be worth investing in book reviews. 

In general, paying for book reviews may seem unfair. It’s fair to think that way, and Amazon generally frowns on obtaining reviews this way. So directly buying reviews is not recommended but subscribing to services or purchasing ads on Goodreads or Bookbub and paying for such a service is not cheating. These services will put your book in the hands of readers who will read your book and write honest reviews.

Moreover, those who read and review will already have plenty of experience in reviewing books, so you can trust that the reviews you receive will have been thought-out and based on a seasoned reviewer’s opinion.

5. Distribute advance reader copies (ARCs)

An advance reader copy (also known as advanced reader copies, advance review copies, and ARCs) is a free copy of your book that you send to readers in exchange for an honest review of your book.

Library Thing  and  Hidden Gems Books  are two popular resources authors use to get reviews for their books. On these sites, avid readers can request a download of your book in exchange for a review.

The great thing about advance reviews is that those you send your ARC are already engaged readers and like to review books as a hobby. The rule is that these readers are not paid to leave a review and benefit only from receiving a free copy.

6. Seek editorial reviews

Editorial reviews are powerful marketing tools. 

While customer reviews are exclusive to those who have purchased and read your book, an editorial review counts as a review from someone who has received a copy of your book for free and agreed to review it. 

The great thing about editorial reviews is that you manually add them to your book’s page, meaning you can choose which reviews go there.

7. Ask friends and family for support

If you haven’t got much of a social following just yet (and even if you have), don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family for support. 

Your close friends, family, and acquaintances will probably willingly write a positive review for you, but make sure they read the book.

8. Reach out to your followers

If you’ve got a following on social media platforms such as Twitter or Instagram, don’t hesitate to post about your published book and ask for honest reviews. Establishing and cultivating a social following is essential, as doing so helps bolster your book’s reach. 

Your loyal followers will not only be excited to read your work but will also probably be happy to give you a review.

You may be reluctant to ask for Amazon reviews, but you don’t get them if you don’t ask. It doesn’t take much time or effort to leave a review once a reader has read your book, so ask your followers politely to take that time and help you out.

9. Reach out to your network

If your book is about to be launched but not launched just yet, it’s wise to reach out to your industry network with a brief email and ask them to review it.

10. Add an author note at the end of your book

Some authors don’t like to ask for reviews within the book’s pages, but doing so can help you gather more reviews. 

You can get more reviews in general by using free book review sites such as Book Page , The Kindle Book Review , and Love Books Group .

These sites publish your free book reviews, so they don’t count as Amazon reviews. Still, this is a great way to get more readers, and when avid and committed readers get to the end of your book, they may be willing to take that extra step and leave a review on Amazon.

How to see your review on Amazon

Unfortunately, Amazon does not notify authors when their book receives a review. You’ll have to visit your book’s Amazon page to see how many reviews you’ve received.

The benefits of Amazon book reviews

Amazon book reviews boost both your credibility and visibility, increasing your chances of success as a self-published author.

1. Credibility

Book reviews establish credibility. 

Readers who notice that your book has an abundance of positive reviews are more likely to trust you. This principle applies to most products and services, and books are no different. 

While some readers don’t read reviews, many will assess your reviews if they’re on the fence about purchasing a copy. 

Reviews are one of several factors that influence a potential reader’s purchasing decision. Other factors include:

• Your existing reputation
• Word of mouth recommendations
• An impactful blurb
• A foreword from another credible and reputable source, such as an established author
• Effective marketing

Of course, just because a book has few reviews doesn’t mean people won’t buy it. Any combination of the above factors will positively impact your book’s success, but reviews will have a further positive impact.

2. Visibility

Google and YouTube are the two biggest online search engines. After those, in third place, is Amazon. So, when people search on Amazon, their results pages are influenced by the Amazon algorithm.

The more reviews you have on your book’s page (including both positive and negative reviews), the more likely you are to see your book by a potential reader: the higher your ranking and online visibility for every review you receive.

Self-publishing a book on Amazon means that you as the author need to do more in terms of marketing than you would if you were to take the traditional publishing route.

One of the most effective marketing tactics is to gather an abundance of reviews on your book’s Amazon page.

If you decide to reach out to book bloggers or social media influencers, make sure that you ask with politeness and a genuine interest in that reviewer’s work. 

If you decide to pay for your book reviews, weigh the cost per review against how much you expect to make from your book.

Moving forward, understand that reviews work wonders for your reputation, so the reviews you receive for your first self-published book on Amazon will positively affect the success of later pub

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Author : Shirley Gibson

24th Jul 2023

The Insider’s Guide: How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon

Suppose you write a book that is absolutely a masterpiece. But it will not matter, and all your hard work goes into vain if people don’t know it will be worth it to read it. This is where you need to get book reviews. They play an important part when promoting a book . Amazon book reviews influence buying decisions and provide social proof, even for those who might not buy the book.

How often do you buy a book or even something else without checking the reviews first? We are sure that your answer will be “Every time.” People always read a few Amazon book reviews before they make a purchase. So, before you sell an eBook on Amazon , make sure you get book reviews on a large number, and those are mostly positive.

Amazon is filled with countless books vying for attention. Some of them will be worth reading. Amazon book reviews are guiding lights that help readers find those hidden gems. When your book receives more positive reviews, it climbs the ranks and becomes more visible to potential readers. The higher the visibility of your book, the more chances of discovery and increased book sales. A win-win for you.

Amazon book reviews can make or break the success of your book. So, how can you get book reviews, most importantly, good ones? This guide will tell you how to get Amazon book reviews.

How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon?

If you want to boost your book sales, you need to include and emphasize book reviews Amazon in your book marketing plan . Amazon book reviews are necessary when your focus is on the Amazon platform. Let’s guide you on how you can get Amazon book reviews.

Understand Amazon’s Book Review System

Amazon has its own set of rules and guidelines for book reviews. These guidelines ensure fairness and authenticity. It makes the review system a reliable source of feedback. As an author or reviewer, you should know and follow these guidelines to avoid any issues and make sure to get book reviews that stay visible.

The Role of Verified and Unverified Reviews

You may see “Verified Purchase” tags on some reviews. Verified reviews are from readers who purchased the book directly from Amazon. It adds a touch of credibility to their feedback. On the other hand, unverified reviews are from readers who got the book elsewhere, received it as a gift, or borrowed it. Both types are valuable, but the “Verified Purchase” tag carries a little more weight.

How Amazon Ranks and Displays Book Reviews?

Amazon uses a mystical algorithm to determine how reviews impact the visibility and sales of your book. The number, quality, and relevance of reviews all play a part in it. If you get book reviews that are more positive, you will rank higher, gain more visibility and attract more readers.

But the story does not end here. Amazon also looks at how recently reviews were posted. Fresh reviews carry a potent charm. They help books stay relevant and engaging to readers.

Prepare Your Book for Amazon Book Reviews

Before you set out to gather Amazon book reviews, you have to make sure your book is polished and ready to enchant readers.

A polished book captivates readers and earns positive reviews. Therefore, you should have a well-edited and proofread book. You can seek the expertise of professional editors and proofreaders. They can catch any sneaky typos or plot holes.

An eye-catching cover invites readers to explore the wonders within. So, your book cover must charm readers at first sight. You can use a book cover maker to create a captivating book cover that reflects the essence of your story.

Choose the Right Book Categories and Keywords

You must navigate to the correct section in the vast library of Amazon. So choose the right book categories and keywords to ensure the right readers find your book. If you pick the perfect categories and keywords, it will help Amazon match your book with interested readers. As a result, you will get book reviews in higher numbers.

Set Reasonable Expectations for Amazon Book Reviews

As you go on this quest to get book reviews, keep in mind that it has its twists and turns. So, set realistic expectations for the number of reviews you hope to receive. It takes your patience and time to collect honest reviews.

Build a Launch Team

A Launch Team is a group of supportive people who help authors promote their books. They are like trusted friends who come together to assist in spreading the word about your new book. Having a Launch Team is essential because they can create excitement and generate early buzz for your book’s release.

Identify and Recruit Potential Launch Team Members

Reach out to your existing network to build your Launch Team. Look for friends, family, and fans who have shown interest in your writing or genre. You can also connect with your social media followers, email subscribers, and anyone who has left positive Amazon reviews of books previously for you. These are the people who are likely to support you on this journey.

Engage Your Launch Team Effectively

The key to a successful book launch is to keep your Launch Team engaged. Regularly update them on the progress of your book. Share sneak peeks or exclusive content. Offer them special insights into your writing process. It will make them feel valued. Encourage them to leave honest reviews for your book once it’s released, as reviews play a crucial role in attracting more readers.

Work together with your Launch Team. As a result, you can create a strong support system that will help your book reach a broader audience. Keep in mind that their support and word-of-mouth promotion can boost the success of your book.

Leverage Your Existing Network

If you want to expand the reach of your book, you need to utilize the power of your existing network. When you build genuine connections, it plays the role of the base for enchanting readers. So, leverage your existing network. As a result, you can create a ripple effect of excitement and set your book on a path to reach new and eager readers.

Tap into Your Personal and Professional Connections

Your existing network holds the key to potential readers who already know and trust you. So, share the news of your book release with friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Their support can be like a gentle breeze that whispers the magic of your book to new readers.

Utilize Social Media and Email Lists for Reviews

You can also leverage the power of social media and email. Announce your book release on social media platforms such as:

Share captivating snippets, cover reveals, and updates to engage with your followers. Email your subscribers with personalized messages. Invite them to join you on this literary adventure.

Encourage your social media followers and subscribers to leave reviews after they’ve read your book. Their honest opinions will make your book authentic. As a result, you will attract more readers in the process.

Engage with Bloggers, Influencers, and Book Clubs

Within the world of the internet, bloggers, influencers, and book clubs hold great power. Therefore, seek out bloggers who specialize in your genre and kindly request book reviews or features. Also, connect with influencers who resonate with the themes of your book and collaborate on promotions.

Book clubs are like gatherings of avid readers ready to embark on a shared journey. Reach out to book clubs that offer author Q&A sessions or provide discussion guides for your book. When we engage with these communities, it can spark interest in your book among like-minded readers.

Request Amazon Book Reviews from Book Reviewers

When you gain reviews from book reviewers, it sprinkles your book with stardust. Also, it captivates new readers along the way. Let’s talk about how you can approach book reviewers.

Research and Identify Relevant Book Reviewers

Among many book reviewers, you need to find the right ones. So. take time to research and identify reviewers who specialize in the genre of your book. Look for those who have reviewed similar books or have a following of readers who enjoy your type of story. Suppose you are marketing children’s books . In that case, you have to find reviewers who review books for kids. It ensures your book reaches its most receptive audience.

Craft a Compelling Review Request

If you want to catch the attention of a book reviewer, your request should be as good as the story itself.

• Begin with a warm intro.
• Acknowledge their love for books in your genre.
• Share a brief synopsis of your book.
• Highlight its unique charms.

Offer to provide a complimentary copy, either in physical or digital format. In addition, express your gratitude for their time and consideration.

Follow-Up Etiquette and Best Practices

Book reviewers know how important timing is. Give them ample time to read and immerse themselves in your book. After a reasonable period, kindly follow up to express your gratitude for their interest and inquire if they had a chance to review your book.

Always be respectful and courteous in your interaction. Even if a reviewer declines your request or does not respond, remain gracious and thank them that they consider your book.

As you connect with book reviewers, keep in mind if you build genuine relationships, you can unlock the power of their reviews. A compelling request and polite follow-up can set the stage for an ongoing partnership. It makes the way for more readers to discover your book.

Utilize Amazon’s Vine Program

If you want to harness the full potential of Amazon, the Vine Program is a great opportunity. Let’s talk about how it can elevate your book to new heights.

What is Amazon Vine and How It Works?

Amazon Vine is like a circle of elite reviewers who receive early access to new products, including books. These reviewers are known as “Vine Voices.” They have earned the trust of Amazon through their honest and helpful reviews. If you join this exclusive circle, your book can make the most of the spotlight of experienced and influential readers.

How to Enroll Your Book on Amazon Vine?

You can follow these steps to enroll your book in the Vine Program:

Eligibility Check

Ensure your book meets the eligibility criteria of Amazon for the Vine Program. It may include factors like sales rank and availability.

Enrollment Invitation

Amazon will invite you to enroll your book in the Vine Program if it meets their requirements. So, keep an eye on your email for this invitation.

Provide Copies

Once enrolled, you will need to provide some copies of your book to Amazon. These copies will be distributed to Vine Voices for review.

Honest Reviews

The Vine Voices will read and review your book. Then, they will share their genuine thoughts with the Amazon community.

Maximize the Benefits of Amazon Vine Reviews

The Vine Program doesn’t end with the reviews themselves. You need to utilize this chance. Here are some tips to make the most of Amazon Vine reviews:

Amplify Promotion

Leverage the Vine reviews to create promotional materials, such as:

• Quotes for the cover of your book
• Book marketing campaigns

Build Credibility

Vine reviews increase the credibility of your book. They encourage potential readers to take a chance on your book.

Engage with Reviewers

Express your gratitude to the Vine Voices who review your book. Engage with them in a friendly manner. This way, you will foster these connections. As a result, it can lead to more opportunities in the future.

When it comes to Amazon Vine, it is not just about the reviews. It is about the connections you forge on this enchanting journey.

Engage with Readers to Get Book Reviews that are Organic

Connect with readers and forge bonds. It can lead to positive reviews. When you engage with readers, it encourages organic reviews and creates a loyal following for your book.

Build an Author Website or Blog

Create a captivating online presence with your author website or blog. It is where readers can:

• Explore your writing
• Learn more about your book
• Discover your unique voice

Share stories from behind the scenes, character insights, and upcoming projects. It will keep readers on their seats waiting for more.

Respond to Reader Feedback and Reviews

When readers reach out to you with their thoughts, respond to them with grace. Whether they send emails, comments, or reviews, acknowledge their words with genuine gratitude. Embrace constructive feedback as a gift. Then, use it to improve your craft. Engaging with readers creates a special connection. It makes them more likely to spread the word about your book through an Amazon book review.

Cultivate a Community Around Your Book

Engage with your audience through social media, forums, or book clubs. Encourage discussions, host Q&A sessions, and share fan art or fanfiction inspired by your book. As you nurture this community, readers will become brand ambassadors. They will share their love for your book with others through organic reviews.

Engaging with readers is not about controlling them. It is about building authentic relationships. When you create a welcoming and interactive space, you invite readers to become part of your journey. The reviews that come with it will be genuine and heartfelt and carry the power to attract even more readers to your book.

Handle Negative Amazon Book Reviews Gracefully

Every quest has its share of challenges. But it’s how you navigate them that defines your journey. Likewise, negative reviews may come your way. With wisdom, you can transform these reviews into valuable opportunities for growth.

Deal with Constructive Criticism

Constructive criticism can strengthen your writing. So, take it with an open heart and a will to learn. Take a step back and consider the feedback objectively. Look for patterns or recurring themes in multiple reviews. Then, use it to improve your future works and refine your storytelling skills.

Avoid Unprofessional Responses

As a wise wordsmith, you need to maintain your composure even in the face of negative reviews. Resist the temptation to respond defensively or with anger. Instead, take a deep breath and remind yourself that not every reader will connect with your book, and that’s okay. Respond professionally or choose not to respond at all. It is the true mark of an accomplished author.

Turn Negative Reviews into Opportunities

You should know how to turn negative reviews into opportunities. Consider negative feedback as a guidepost. It shows you areas to focus on for improvement. Use this to:

• Craft better stories
• Enhance character development
• Refine your writing style

Negative reviews can also help set expectations for future readers. You should address potential concerns in your book description or materials for marketing a book . As a result, you can align your book with the right audience. It reduces the likelihood of future negative reviews.

What are the Benefits of Amazon Book Reviews?

Amazon book reviews offer you a number of benefits. They can help you sell your book more rapidly. But you need to write an excellent book in order to get book reviews that are positive. Similarly, if there are no positive reviews, there will be no benefits. So keep this in mind. Let’s look at some of the benefits of Amazon book reviews:

Help Market Your Book

When accompanied by positive feedback and ratings, Amazon book reviews can play the role of book advertisements for you. When you receive positive reviews from readers, it serves as a form of organic advertising for your books.

Boost Sales

If you earn the maximum amount of Amazon book reviews, it does not mean you will become an Amazon best seller. However, you can get more visibility on Amazon. As a result, the chance of more book sales will increase.

How Do I Get Book Reviews on Amazon?

To get Amazon book reviews, follow the below steps:

• Understand Amazon’s book review system
• Prepare your book for reviews
• Build a launch team
• Leverage your existing network
• Request reviews from book reviewers
• Utilize Amazon’s Vine program
• Engage with readers to encourage organic reviews
• Handle negative reviews gracefully

Does Amazon Pay for Book Reviews?

No, Amazon does not pay to get book reviews. In addition, Amazon has always had rules against using paid reviews. They don’t allow people to post reviews in exchange for money. Also, they’ve even taken legal action against those who offer such services.

How Do I Get Reviews on My Book?

Here are some effective strategies that will help you get book reviews:

• Distribute advance reader copies (arcs)
• Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers
• Join writing/reading communities
• Leverage your network
• Book review swaps
• Book review services
• Offer giveaways or contests
• Utilize book promotion platforms
• Reach out to local media
• Request reviews at the end of your book

Are Amazon Book Reviews Reliable?

Amazon book reviews can be both reliable and unreliable. So, it is essential to approach them with a critical mindset. A book with many reviews may be more reliable since it reflects a broader range of reader opinions.

Can Anyone Review a Book on Amazon?

On Amazon, anyone can submit a review for almost any product, even if they have not personally bought it from Amazon. Also, Amazon allows users to leave reviews for products they purchased elsewhere.

How to Write a Book Review on Amazon?

• Sign in to your Amazon account. If you don’t have one, create an account first.
• Locate the book you want to review by searching for the title or author in the Amazon search bar.
• Once you’re on the book’s page, scroll down until you reach the “Customer Reviews” section.
• Look for the button that says “Write a customer review” and click on it.
• Assign a star rating to the book based on your overall impression.

Now you know how to get book reviews on Amazon, it is time to put in your effort and earn some positive Amazon book reviews. Remember, you only earn good reviews if you write a good book and market it effectively. You can utilize our book marketing services so that your book reaches the targeted audience. Authors Breeze is a game changer. We have helped authors to earn some stellar ratings and reviews.

Shirley Gibson

As a book advertiser, Shirley combines her natural storytelling abilities with a keen understanding of marketing strategies. She excels at crafting captivating promotional campaigns that capture the essence of an audiobook, enticing both avid readers and those new to the world of literature. Through her work, Shirley has helped numerous authors and publishers find their voice in the competitive audiobook market.

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10 Essential Points on How to Get Reviews on Amazon

• on Nov 26, 2020
• in Ebook Marketing and Sales
• Last update: September 9th, 2023

As everyone in the publishing industry knows, writing your book is only half the battle. The next step is far more complex, and that’s publishing and marketing your book. If you choose the self-publishing route, then you must have considered publishing your book on Amazon , which presents a convenient, cheap, and hassle-free alternative to traditional publishing.

But getting your book on Amazon isn’t the final stop either. You still need a little extra effort to help your book shine, and that’s mainly learning how to get yourself some Amazon book reviews. 

Understanding how to do that can be a tricky business, considering the strict guidelines the company has placed on reviewing products. But fear not; we’re here to help you get more reviews for your book while honoring those guidelines.

Table of contents:

• Importance of Amazon Book Reviews
• 10 Strategies for Getting Book Reviews on Amazon

What to Avoid When Pitching Reviewers

• Dealing with Negative Reviews

Why Book Reviews Matter on Amazon

To profit from your book on Amazon, you have to invest considerable effort in marketing it, gaining good reviews, and boosting readers’ engagement.

The importance of Amazon book reviews can be summarized in the following points; they can:

• Help boost sales by making potential readers curious and urging them to buy your book .
• Improve the experience of future readers by giving them parts of the book to look forward to.
• Encourage others to provide further insight and provide further reviews .
• Improve the ranking of your book and hence increase its visibility in Amazon search results making it easier for readers to find.
• Help in adding your book to the “You Might Like” and “Recommended For You” lists.
• Help your book get noticed by well-known book-reviewing sites .
• Help you develop as an author by providing you with feedback.
• Create a community of active readers who will exchange their thoughts and opinions on your book with one another. This will hence create a sense of community and connection between them.

How to Get Reviews on Amazon

The thought of getting reviews to ensure higher sales might be a little daunting. However, there are a few steps that can help you get started easily and let you cash in on your success.

1. Start Early

It’s a common belief that marketing should come after you have completed your book. But the truth is, if you want to get reviews on your book’s release, it is better to start your marketing early. You can even start 4–6 months in advance! 

Here’s how you can start marketing your book before it’s out:

• Create anticipation through various social media channels.
• Utilize social media marketing and promote your upcoming book to your audience before the official release.
• Reach out to your friends, family, acquaintances, and other beta readers and ask them to read and review your book .
• If you have a newsletter , use it to announce your book to your subscribers.
• Blogging about your upcoming book and informing your existing followers can be a great way to build anticipation. 

This will help you get the ball rolling and the reviews flowing once your book is released. Once a few reviews start coming in, it’s much more likely that your book sales will increase.

2. Visit Book Reviewing Platforms

When looking for potential reviewing platforms to promote your book, check to see if they are actually active or not. If they are, then ask if they are currently open for reviews and queries in your genre. Learn about the traffic they bring in, and the activity on their site. Based on this information, you can choose whether or not to reach out to them. Some of the most popular platforms in that line of work are NetGalley and Edelweiss .

3. Seek Reviewers of Similar Titles

Compile a list of similar titles to your book with information on each of them. Once you make the list, it is always a good idea to see where the authors got their reviews from and reach out to these reviewers. Let them know why you are contacting them and try to get them to review your work as well.

Since your book is similar to what they’re used to reviewing, they are likely to be interested in reviewing it. This way, you will get credible reviews on your book from your target audience. It will also attract readers who like books similar to yours.

4. Understand Your Reviewers

When you’re trying to contact potential reviewers, it is important to first read their review policy. Some bloggers, for instance, might have a form to fill out. Others may provide a checklist, and some would just provide contact information and be open to requests. Also, the pitch will vary depending on the reviewer’s requirements.

Once you have done that, send your reviewers a free ARC (advanced reader copy, which is a copy of your edited book before its official launch). Some reviewers might prefer an ebook while others might demand a physical copy. Make sure to accommodate their preferences; it shows that you respect their process.

A good practice is sending a personalized note to your reviewer to thank them for their time and commitment to reviewing your book. In turn, this will help you gain not only a trusted review on your work, but also valuable feedback for you to learn from as an author.

5. Write Your Pitches

Before approaching reviewers, you need to work on your pitch. Try to keep it simple, concise, and as personalized as you can make it. Also, aim to build rapport and relationships with the reviewers you reach out to. Capture their attention by pinpointing exactly what they would like to hear, or in this case, read. 

Your pitch can even include the first chapter of your book! A great hook , or even your book description, can be a good way to attract reviewers.

6. Contact Bloggers

Another way to get Amazon book reviews is by contacting bloggers who are popular in the genre you are writing in. They may promote your work to their readers if they like it and bring you more exposure.

To convince bloggers to review your book, you have to make sure your author reputation is strong enough. Having an author brand is a great way to stand out and get loyal readers, bloggers included.

7. Join Online Communities

You can find some exciting reader communities on websites like Reddit and Facebook. Joining such groups can do wonders for you as they can help you promote your work and get a discussion started around it. You can post your work there and ask for reviews, or start your own forum to attract new readers and reviewers to your book.

It’s important to mention here that you cannot offer to swap reviews with another author; this is against Amazon’s review guidelines and might get your book’s product page removed.

8. Check Out Amazon’s Top Reviewers

Another way to get reviews quickly is to reach out to Amazon’s Top reviewers and ask them to review your work. This gives more credibility to your book’s reviews as those reviewers are already known for their opinions in the Amazon community and know how things work. To find them more easily, you can visit websites such as AMZDicover .

To find reviewers through this website, all you have to do is copy and paste the URL of your book’s Amazon product page into the tool’s search bar. From there, you can find the social media accounts of some of the top reviewers, reviewer ranking, and their email addresses.

9. Mark Your Progress

To gauge the success of your strategy, you have to note your progress. You can do this by making a spreadsheet or keeping a planner with the information below:

• The name of the reviewer.
• The date of contact.
• The reviewers’ contact information.
• The date you send them the ARC.
• The date they confirm receiving the ARC.
• The estimated date for the review , and the outcome.

Once you have sent them the book ARCs, keep in mind the time frame they give you. If they do not provide the feedback on time, you can send them a follow-up email to remind them of it in case they’ve forgotten.

10. Include an Invitation to Review Your Book

This is more of a long-term strategy where you dedicate a page at the end of your book to encourage readers to leave you a review. This page is usually written in a friendly, conversational tone that speaks directly to the readers. By adding such a page, you can expect reviews to flow in weeks or even months after the initial release of your book.

As we outlined in the previous section, it’s critically important to communicate respectfully with reviewers. But this is just the first part of making sure all of your reviews make it to your book’s Amazon page. You also have to stay clear of the actions below when pitching your book to reviewers.

Amazon’s customer review guidelines do not allow:

• Using threatening language or blackmail.
• Begging for reviews.
• Offering Amazon gift cards if they give you a positive review.
• Paying for positive reviews or giving reviewers gifts in exchange for one.
• Exchanging reviews with other authors.

Instead, you can do the following:

• Politely invite reviewers to give their honest opinions .
• Mail them a free copy to review, but make sure to inform them that you’d like their honest opinion.

This way, you honor Amazon’s guidelines whilst making the most of your pitches.

How to Deal with Negative Reviews

Despite what some might think, even the best of authors receive negative reviews for their work. If you come across a negative review, do not panic. This is a chance for you to improve your skills and learn from your mistakes.

Here’s what you need to focus on when it comes to dealing with negative reviews:

• Do not let hateful comments get to you. People are entitled to their opinions, and what is relevant to some people might not be to others. So look at the bigger picture; there will be a lot more people who like your work as opposed to those who do not.
• Remain calm and don’t let panic take over you. Take what people say as constructive criticism and never lash out at them in response. Accept it, thank them for their time, and move on.

In all cases, hate comments and bad reviews can be valuable opportunities to improve your writing, marketing skills, and engagement with your readers.

Final Thoughts

Publishing your book isn’t actually the end of the road. Marketing is just as important a step as writing and editing. And while each book is unique and needs a customized marketing strategy, these general guidelines can help you optimize your approach to getting Amazon book reviews. In the end, there is just one thing you need to keep in mind as you go about getting reviews: “If you do not ask, the answer is always no.”

Everything You Need to Know About Aggregators

The Basic Guide to Self-Publishing Books

Guide to Selling on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo

scratch geometry dash

Actually, publishing your book doesn’t mean the journey is over. Writing and editing are vital steps, but so is marketing.

You’re absolutely right! Publishing a book is just the beginning of the journey. Writing and editing are crucial steps, but marketing is equally important to ensure your book reaches its intended audience. Effective marketing strategies, such as getting book reviews on Amazon, can significantly boost your book’s visibility and credibility. It’s all about continuing to engage with readers and promoting your work even after it’s published. Thanks for highlighting this important aspect of the publishing process!

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Home » Promoting & Marketing » How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon for Your Own Book

How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon

One of the first challenges you’ll face when publishing your book is getting book reviews. Book reviews are important because 1) Books with reviews sell more copies, 2) Many book promotion sites require a minimum number of reviews to use their service and 3) Verified reviews are an additional metric Amazon can use to promote your book.

Most resources about getting book reviews recommend: – Sending out advanced review copies (ARCs) to readers – Asking family and friends to review your book – Soliciting bloggers and popular Amazon reviewers to review your book.

These tactics can work but they have some drawbacks: 1) it takes a lot of time, 2) you have no guarantee that you will actually get reviews, 3) the reviews may not be verified or may be from a person who is not your target reader (which can confuse the Amazon algorithm) and 4) Amazon may pull the reviews done if they suspect the reviews are not legitimate .

The Solution: Get Book Reviews With Book Promotion

Running a book promotion is a proven way to get reviews. Unfortunately, many book promotion sites will not run your book until you have reviews. It is the dreaded chicken and egg problem many authors face: you need reviews to get sales, but you need sales to get reviews.

We know this is a challenge for authors, which is why we do NOT have a minimum review criterion for our Freebooky and Bargain Booksy promotion services.

We work with many authors who run a free book promotion the very first week that their book is published. Why? Because it is the most efficient way for them to climb the Amazon charts and get verified book reviews.

How does it work?

Step 1: include a review request in your back matter.

Before you publish your book, make sure that at the end of your book you have included a polite request to readers to review your book. The more personal the request, the more likely it is that readers will review your book. If your book is already published, you can easily add a review request to your manuscript and update your file on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

Step 2: Publish your Book and Enroll in KDP Select

The easiest way to run a free promotion is to enroll your book in KDP Select. KDP Select is Amazon’s exclusive program that allows you to run up to 5 free promotion days in exchange for publishing your book exclusively on Amazon for 90 days. An additional benefit of KDP Select is that your book will be included in their Kindle Unlimited (KU) Program and you will get paid out on the number of pages read of your book by KU readers. If your book is already published, you can choose to enroll in KDP Select at any time. If you choose to enroll in KDP Select you will have to remove your book from sale at any other retailers where you have it published. If you don’t want to enroll your book in KDP Select you can try to set your book as perma-free. You can learn how in our article How to Make your Book Free on Amazon .

Step 3: Book a Freebooksy Promo

Go to Freebooksy and pick your genre and the date you want to run your promo. Enter your book information and check out. Viola! You are scheduled!

Step 4: Schedule your Free Promo Day in KDP

In your KDP dashboard , schedule your Free Book Promotion by going to the “Run a Price Promotion” section. The date you pick in the KDP dashboard needs to match the day you have scheduled your Freebooksy promotion. We recommend running the free promotion for 2-3 days. There are other sites that may promote your free book, and you are welcome to book promos with them too. However, we cannot vouch for their impact on reviews. The data for this article is based on results from authors who have used Freebooksy to get reviews.

Step 5: Monitor your Results

On the day of your Freebooksy promo, you will see the number of free downloads your book is receiving in your KDP dashboard. You will also see your KENP reads starting to climb as many Freebooksy subscribers are also KU members.

For popular genres (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Fantasy, Sci-Fi): Within a week of your free promotion, you can expect 2-5 reviews appearing on your book page. Within 30 days of your free promotion, you can expect 7-15 reviews on your book page.

For more niche genres (Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, Religion, Children’s): Within a week of your free promotion, you can expect up to 3 reviews appearing on your book page. Within 30 days of your free promotion, you can expect 5-10 book reviews on your book page.

A note on verified reviews:

Even though your book is free when readers download it on your free promo day, Amazon considers it as being purchased for $0.00. Because the download counts as a zero dollar purchase, when the reader leaves a review it is marked as a Verified Purchase. Reviews left by KU readers will not show up as Verified Purchases because Amazon treats them as borrows. You can expect about half of the reviews you received after your promotion to be Verified Purchase reviews.

A note on review ratings:

The reviews you receive following a promotion are provided by real readers who are responding to your review request at the back of your book, or a review request from Amazon. The reviews will be honest and the rating your book receives will be based solely on how the reader rates your book. You may get one- and two-star reviews if readers don’t like your book. Reviews from family and friends and ARC readers will generally score on the positive end of the scale as these are people who know you, but they may not be verified or they may not be approved. The reviews you receive following a free promotion will be unfiltered.

Step 6: Repeat

In the months following your initial free promotion, you can schedule additional promotions – free promo days and countdown deals. Every time you run a promo and use a book promotion service to market it, your review counts should grow.

Setting up your free promo days in KDP and booking your Freebooksy promotion will take 15 minutes of your time and will cost between $40 and $100. It’s an efficient and effective way to get reviews AND boost your Amazon sales rank. Questions? Please ask them in the comments.

Get more articles like these!

22 comments on “ how to get book reviews on amazon ”.

If you put your book on kdp select, do you have to set it for FREE? and does it automatically put you into KDP unlimited for the 90 days? Do you have a choice?

Hi Nancy – If you enroll in KDP Select, you have 5 free promotion days available to you but you do NOT have to use them. As a KDP Select author, you can also run a Kindle Countdown Deal that enables you to discount your book for specific periods of time. Within each 90-day period you can run a free promo OR a Kindle Countdown Deal. Or you can choose not to use those marketing tools at all. If you enroll in KDP Select your book is automatically enrolled in Kindle Unlimited and you cannot remove it from the Kindle Unlimited library. If you do not want your book in Kindle Unlimited and you do not want the free or countdown marketing tools you are best publishing through KDP but not enrolling in KDP Select. I know it can be confusing! I’m happy to answer any follow-up questions. Ricci

I found that the 90-day free book offer is automatically renewed. I was not told that when arranging for the program. You have 3-days to remove it. I removed it now, to take effect at the end of this last 90-days. You may wish to mention this to your readers. ????

Hi Irene – Are you referring to enrollment in KDP Select? If so, there is an option to auto-renew but you can also choose not to check that box if you don’t want to auto-renew. Thanks for alerting authors to this as it can be easy to miss! Ricci

Yes, I found myself in that trap and prevented from using wide distribution as a result. I caught it after the first renewal (6 months). I found it very annoying and decided against ever using KDP Select.

i have done that more than once and i still don’t get that many reviews. I have one coming up next month for two of my novels. i have done everything you have listed above and very little reviews. not sure why?

Hi Rita – I see you have some Bargain Booksy features coming up, thanks for being a customer! There are markedly different results when running a free promo on Freebooksy vs. running a price promo on Bargain Booksy. You will get reviews from discount promos but they are much fewer as the number of books in readers ‘hands are fewer. For example: a Freebooksy feature for a cozy mystery may result in 3k downloads and if 1% of readers review the book you would receive 30 reviews. A Bargain Booksy feature may sell 100 copies of a book and if 1% of readers reviewed the book you would receive a single review. Also, readers have to get to the end of a book to see your review ask and to feel comfortable reviewing the book, so it is possible that a lack of reviews means readers are not completing your books. Unfortunately, Amazon and other retailers do not provide completion rates so the only way to figure this out is to ask beta readers and fans to give you feedback. I hope this helps, Ricci

my kenp numbers are very high so i assume readers do get to the end of the book. thanks for your comments.

With KDP can you still do a free promotion for a day or two, or does it have to be KDP Select only? Thanks!

Hi Kiesha – you can still run free promos with KDP however it is trickier to do as the only way to get your book listed as free is to get Amazon to price match. We have an article here that goes through the process. Hope this helps. Ricci

Hello Ricci: Adding to the discussion. I use a non-guilt-maneuvering gentle plea for a review right after THE END in my books. As a general rule of thumb, a free promo with 7K downloads will generate not less than 75 reviews. However, that review plea must be reader centric, so thank the reader for reading one’s book comes first.

The review plea MUST be on the same page as THE END, or Amazon bots will grab your reader to promote sponsored books or others. But no review plea/call to action will get a response unless the story resonates with one’s target audience. Also, if there is more back matter, the reader must be told: “Turn the page for a note from the author” or “turn the page for more.” These elements are done in formatting. Thus, if one uses a commercial formatter he or she must be told where to place these call to actions.

Fact: Some readers will NEVER post a review. A book buyer is not obligated to post a review. All of my units are in Amazon Select, thus I may only use one of two promos each 90 day cycle. Free or a 99c KCD. I never use increments. When I have a book in a KCD at 99c I also buy 20 to 30 units to run an amazon giveaway to build my followers on Amazon. Because Amazon sends out a dedicated notice to followers upon an author’s new release.

A perma-free unit only has value if the author promotes it and keeps it high in stats so that it draws attention to the authors list. #Kiesha Collins asks: With KDP can you still do a free promotion for a day or two, or does it have to be KDP Select only? The answer: Select Only. When I run a KDP Select Free promo, I use all 5 days, and promote the book all five days. Other author opinions may differ.

Hope this helps. Best, Jackie Weger

Thanks Jackie – great additional info!

This is a very much helpful article. Thanks.

Good luck. Amazon will remove any reviews written by friends or relatives. Now they are also blocking Book bloggers from posting reviews and removing their former reviews.

Hi Ricci, I am trying to better understand the terms and conditions of using KDP Select for my upcoming book.

Two questions : 1. If I use KDP Select, can I still offer my book in hardback version on Amazon. 2. Does KDP Select only mean that the electronic/digital version must be exclusive to Amazon/Kindle? In other words, can I still distribute a physical hard copy version elsewhere?

Thanks, Ian

Hi Ian – Yes, you can still offer your book in hardback on Amazon if you are enrolled in KDP Select. The exclusivity applies only to the digital version of your book, so you can still distribute the hardback at other retailers. The exclusivity clause reads “When you enroll an eBook in KDP Select, you’re committing to making the digital format of that book available exclusively through KDP while it’s enrolled in the program.” You can read the full exclusivity terms here . Thanks for the clarifying questions, Ricci

Thank you very much.

How do I get my book to be free on AMAZON? I have a publisher. I’d be happy to give away books for a day…Please guide me

Hey Sara, your book must be enrolled in KDP Select to be made free for a limited period of time. Another option you can try is to make your book free on other sites and ask Amazon to price match, but this doesn’t always work. Good luck!

Ricci, I just signed up for a Freebooksy feature and promotion. But when I tried to set up the 2-3 day promo, I discovered that I had already used up my 5 days of free promos for this enrollment period of KDP select. Now what?

Hey David, No worries. If you wouldn’t mind sending an email to [email protected] , we can reschedule for your next KDP Select period or get you a refund. Thanks for letting us know.

I’m really wondering about the viability of this strategy as I’ve now run 3 free promo ads with Freebooksy. While I’ve received several thousand downloads across the three promotions (over 4,000)—I’ve yet to receive a single review.. I do have the CTA in the back of the book asking for reviews so I’m not sure what else I can do. Are any other authors having this problem? Perhaps Amazon is refusing to let readers leave reviews?

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Book Marketing , Mini Guides

Mini Guide: How to Get Legitimate Amazon Reviews for Your Books

Most of us have been there. Acquiring reviews is the bane of the fledgling indie author’s existence. I struggled with it for years ; hell, I only cracked the code in 2016, after heading down the review rabbit hole hard.

That’s when I learned a surprising truth.

If your book isn’t selling, reviews are usually  not the culprit .

That being said, if you have no reviews, or are staring at two reviews with a 3.5 Amazon rating, you likely don’t believe me. Only the ice-water of harsh experience convinced me otherwise.

But although they’re hardly the skeleton key to success, reviews are still important for a few reasons we’ll discuss below. Thus, I’ve assembled a comprehensive mini guide outlining the four primary methods that you can use to get legitimate, unbiased Amazon reviews (no black hat stuff here):

• Review services which distribute review copies of your book to their readers
• Asking your newsletter subscribers
• Creating your own ARC (advance review copy) team
• Setting your book to free and putting a review request with a direct link to the review form in your book’s back matter.

But before we get into the how-to, we first need to answer an oft-overlooked question.

Why the hell should we bother to get Amazon reviews at all?

Note: this guide was last updated in August 2020.

Why You SHOULD Bother

Let me be clear: Reviews don’t impact sales nearly as much as many authors think .

Reviews do not:

• Directly generate sales . Reviews are largely a product of a book selling well; not the other way around. It’s easy to get this causality reversed, which leads to some trying to hoard reviews like Gollum hoards the precious. This obsession is not productive.
• Trigger Amazon’s famed algorithms . While the official documentation for Amazon’s A9 algorithm suggests that  verified reviews might be a factor, in reality, this impact is minor or nonexistent. There’s also an old myth still making the rounds that Amazon will only promote books with 50+ reviews. This is 100% false. Your book does not need to cross a minimum review threshold for Amazon to start recommending it via also boughts, emails, and other automated mechanisms. A book with 10 reviews (or zero) can easily outsell one with 70, or even 700.
• Have any other career-making mythical effect you may have heard about.

Why bother getting reviews at all, then?

Two marketing reasons:

• Qualifying for promo sites . This is the main reason—many advertisers require either 5 – 10 reviews (with a 3.5 – 4-star average).
• Social proof is important . All other elements being equal—blurb, cover, writing quality—a book with 15 reviews will be purchased over a title with none. Despite this tendency, reviews are far less important for books than, say, socks or a new television. That’s because fiction quality is subjective and all other elements are never equal. A book with twenty reviews and a genre-relevant cover will likely trounce one with a terrible, off-genre cover and a hundred glowing reviews.

I want to be clear: There aren’t many good reasons to acquire reviews besides the those outlined above. A la Facebook likes, Amazon reviews quickly become a vanity metric. After you get past 50 for a given title,  there are diminishing returns. That being said, is having 250 or 500 reviews better than 50? Of course — but remember, when a book has hundreds of reviews, it’s almost always a byproduct of it selling well. Spending hundreds of hours or thousands of dollars accumulating this many reviews is a poor use of resources.

50 is an arbitrary threshold, but chosen for the following reasons:

• Criticisms tend to repeat themselves at this point. You’re generally not learning new things about your craft from review #156 that you didn’t learn at #45.
• You qualify for all promo sites . Yes, that includes the mighty BookBub (which contrary to myth, does not have a minimum review requirement).

And about that criticism: a good critical review can improve your craft.

This point is important enough to warrant its own section.

Qualitative Feedback: Using Reviews to Improve Your Craft

Feedback is at a premium when you’re a writer. Most of your day is spent alone, at a keyboard, typing into what is essentially a void. It is not until someone else reads your work that you receive feedback — often weeks or months after a passage has been written.

This can make it difficult to improve, since feedback is key to building skill in any discipline.

Reviews can be a critical source of quality feedback.

You’ll no doubt get lots of unhelpful, vague reviews (“terrible” or “deleted it from my kindle”) if you pursue writing as a full-time career. But don’t ignore genuinely helpful feedback because of this. I’ve learned a number of things (both positive and negative) from a small handful of reviews—points like my overuse of expletives, poor endings, confusing tendency to mash-up disparate genres/tones, and (on the plus side) that readers found my work funny . This unbiased feedback is invaluable, as it is what paying customers (re: not your mom, writing group or dog) genuinely think about your work. I wasn’t aware of these problems (or positives) until I read my Amazon reviews.

Some authors never read their reviews and advocate ignoring them. I believe this is a borderline career killing mistake. As already mentioned, unbiased feedback is the rarest of commodities for a writer; editors, proofreaders, beta readers, and so forth are inclined to say positive things about your work since they have a financial or personal relationship with you. This is human nature.

Paying readers — who are the arbiter of your success in this game — have no such biases, and will give you the straight truth. Sometimes that’s brutal; sometimes it’s unhelpful; on rare occasions, however, it’s gold. If you feel like downing a bottle of bourbon after browsing Amazon, however, then don’t read the reviews . Personally, I would work on building a thicker skin, because criticism is inescapable in this business . But that decision is up to you.

Quantitative Feedback

I’ve already touched on how reviews can qualitatively be used to improve your work.

But they can also be used in a more quantitative fashion. Most people look at the review score to assess whether readers liked their book. This seems like a good idea; in practice, however, not all 4 star ratings are equal. That’s because the true measure of a book’s quality is whether the reader got to the end — and, after that, whether they go on to purchase the next book.

Nothing else really matters when you’re trying to make a living.

Enter expected reviews versus actual reviews.

Using these two numbers, we can compare our expected review numbers (using a rule of thumb) to the actual number of reviews our book has.

On average, you can expect 1 Amazon review for every 1,000 free downloads and 1 review for every 100 sales. This is just a very general rule of thumb; the review rate will fluctuate from book to book. However, if lots of people are picking up your book, but no one is reviewing it, this indicates they’re not reaching the end. This is a problem, since your career is built on sellthrough (that is, people finishing a book and then purchasing another one of your books).

Thus, if your review rate is dramatically below the rules of thumb stated above, there may be a craft problem lurking in the pages.

Take these numbers from actual titles:

More people are reviewing Books A and B than expected; by contrast, Book C has fewer reviews than expected. Again, this is a very rough estimate; making any decisions based on this exercise alone would be ill-advised. But a low review rate is cause for further examination.

When I looked at the sellthrough numbers (the % of people who go on to purchase Book 2): Book B’s sellthrough is the highest, while Book C’s is anemic. This suggests readers aren’t resonating with Book C.

In conjunction with the actual qualitative content of the reviews, you can use your review rate to troubleshoot craft problems. If it’s much lower than expected, dive into what people are saying to find out why.

But enough about feedback and improving craft. Let’s jump into getting reviews.

Common Practices to Avoid

We only want legitimate reviews. To that end, you should avoid anything that might get you into hot water with Amazon. In recent years, Amazon has cracked down on many review gathering techniques—from the obvious black hat ones to grayer areas. To keep on the right side of their TOS, it’s vital to abide by a few rules:

• Do not ask friends, family and other acquaintances for reviews. This is not allowed under the TOS. Some of these folks will leave reviews anyway, without asking. Don’t be concerned about this (Amazon won’t punish you)—just know that these reviews can disappear.
• Do not offer to exchange reviews with other authors (known as a review swap) — e.g. you review their book and they review yours in return.
• You can’t compensate reviewers in any way, beyond the actual product (the book, in this case). This means entering contests, paying them, swapping reviews and other tactics aren’t allowed.

On a semi-related note, if you interact with someone on social media, Amazon’s bots might pick this up and remove reviews of your work by this person. This is largely unavoidable and not something to be worried about; if the review count on a book suddenly drops by one or two, however, this might be the culprit.

Method #1: Use a Review Service

In theory, if funds were unlimited, you could book all of the sites below. Getting loads of reviews, however, is not the best use of marketing funds. Instead, focus on getting 10 reviews , as this is the threshold where most paid promo sites allow you to advertise. Then invest the leftover money into paid advertising.

If you’ve been struggling with reviews for a long time, rest assured that you can use all of these services & options for any book, old or new. I’ve used them for brand new releases (e.g. during launch week) and for books over a year and a half old. Anecdotally, I haven’t seen any difference in reader demand for new titles as opposed to old titles; even pre-order books (e.g. where the reader is receiving a true advance review copy) don’t seem to generate more interest. Demand is mostly dictated by your genre, cover, and blurb.

Important: You aren’t purchasing reviews via these services. Instead, these sites play matchmaker between authors and prospective reviewers—matching your book with interested, unbiased reviewers who request a review copy of your title based on its cover, blurb, and genre. These reviewers are not compensated, beyond the free copy of the book. If a site claims to compensate reviewers—either via monetary payment, contest entries or other incentives—run the other way immediately . Due diligence is a must .

I’ve used the sites below without issue, but the song does not remain the same—so look into their current policies and make sure they’re on the up and up.

The Best Option

• # expected reviews: 20+ (50+ in some genres)
• Setup time: 5 minutes
• About: The most effective review service in the business by a large margin (think of them as the Bookbub of review services). Not only do they generate a ton of quality reviews — the reviewers clearly have read the books, and often post multiple paragraph reviews — they even send you a follow-up email with selected additional comments from their ARC list. The only knock against Hidden Gems is the booking time, which extends out half a year or longer for most genres.

Personally Untested, But Good For Others

I don’t generally include things that I haven’t personally used, especially not this high. But in this case, I’ve worked with a client who has used BookSprout to generate a considerable number of reviews, which gels with the general overall author consensus.

• BookSprout (free trial, $10 – $20/mo)
• About: BookSprout is a subscription service that offers a combination of ARC list management and discovery features that connect you with potential reviewers.

I’ve used Story Origin before for cross promos, but not specifically for reviews. I found that part of the service useful, and have seen some promising results from the review section. So this is worth testing, especially since it’s totally free.

• StoryOrigin (free)

Unfortunately, much like with promo sites, where Bookbub reigns king, there’s a precipitous drop off in results from Hidden Gems to the rest of the pack. If you can’t snag a Hidden Gems spot, I’d start with these.

• # expected reviews: 1 – 2
• Setup time: 2 – 3 hours (have to send winners files yourself)
• About: Library Thing allows you to run free eBook giveaways that help you get reviews. Set the giveaway to 100 eBooks (make sure you do eBooks and not paper copies) and you’ll usually get 30 – 50 people claiming it.

If you’re in a pinch, and need some reviews, you can look to these services. Their prices and results make them less appealing, however.

• # expected reviews: 3 – 5
• Setup time: 1 – 2 hours
• About: this is different than the other services, in that you provide a link to your ARC (advance review copy) mailing list sign-up. Then they send out an email blast telling their list that they can join your ARC team and get a free review book. You’ll want to set up a separate form/segment for these ARC reviewers. Don’t mix them in immediately with your regular ARC reviewers, as some of them won’t review or won’t like your work.
• Setup time: don’t remember
• About: There are a number of co-ops that allow you to book a Net Galley slot for your title. I’ve linked to the one from Xpresso Book Tours; to be 100% clear, I’ve never used their services, but they’ve been around for a long time (the co-op I used is no longer offered). You can search for alternatives on Google or ask around in author groups. You can also book directly from Net Galley, but that’s far more expensive. Reviews from Net Galley are fair, but tend to be harsher and with lower overall scores.
• About: this was good when I tried it in January 2016 (got 10 reviews), but less effective when I tried it in January 2017 (got 2 reviews). They provide you with updates via email on how many reviews your book has received from the program.
• About: Process took about 7 – 10 days from submission to when it was sent out to readers. They distribute all the book files. Setup is super painless and the easiest of all the options. Book Review 22 sends an update about two months after you order with links to the reviews procured by their service. I received two Goodreads reviews and an Amazon review for an urban fantasy book when the price was $60. It has since increased to $250.
• # expected reviews: 0
• About: for years, Goodreads allowed you to give away paperbacks for free (although the shipping and printing costs associated with actually delivering said paperbacks were fairly pricey). This was useless, but cheap; I never traced a single direct review back to such a giveaway. The new Goodreads Giveaways, alas, are still useless but have the added bonus of being expensive. You can use them for both eBooks and paperbacks, now, although I would simply skip this option and use them for neither. I ran one, gave away 20 copies, got zero directly attributable reviews, and called it a day.

Additional Options I Haven’t Personally Tested

• Blog tours (cost depends): haven’t tried a blog tour; from the research I’ve done, tours used to be much better for generating buzz and reviews (e.g. in 2012/2013) than they are now.
• Contacting bloggers (free): I sent out one email to one blogger, never heard a response, and decided screw that . Other authors have gotten reviews, but I’m skeptical of the required time investment required to get said reviews. This was a popular strategy four or five years ago, before bloggers got bombed with review requests as a result.

You may see these recommended by other posts or guides; they’re mentioned here so you don’t wonder what happened to them.

• Story Cartel
• Contacting Amazon reviewers (free): Amazon used to publicly display the email addresses of reviewers who ticked a box to show their email on their profile. You could then email this person to offer them an ARC copy for review. Amazon no longer displays any reviewer emails publicly, so this method is no longer viable.
• Book Razor : a number of review services sprung up that gathered the emails from Amazon profiles and sold them to authors. These were all shut down by the aforementioned change; Book Razor was the best known of these services.

Method #2: Ask Your List

If you have a mailing list (which you do have, right?), all that you need to do is send out a regular broadcast email to your subscribers asking for reviews. Explain the importance and include the direct link to the review form. Don’t incentivize people in any way; this is against the Amazon TOS. Just ask nicely.

Maybe you don’t want to send out a newsletter that solely ask for reviews. You could include the request as a “PS” at the bottom of one of your emails instead.

I like (and have used) the subject line “Can You Do Me a Favor?”

You can even automate this process by adding such a request to your autoresponder. The same principles apply: ask nicely and include a direct link to the review form.

Method 3: Cross Promo to Autoresponder

You can use sites like BookFunnel and StoryOrigin , or giveaways to build your list of newsletter subscribers rapidly. The idea is simple with cross promotions: you join forces with multiple other authors, share the cross promo to your list, and essentially share your subscribers with one another. You need a book that you can offer as bait for people to sign up, which is usually a free novella, story, or novel.

While this is a good way to start building your list, what you’ll often find is that the volume of subscribers is high…but engagement (and buy rates) are low. That does not, however, mean that these subscribers are necessarily useless, or that they’re not interested in reading your stuff.

Instead, these people might be interested in becoming ARC Readers (method outlined below) or to review your book.

How to set this up:

• Join a cross promo on BookFunnel or StoryOrigin. Or join an author giveaway.
• Make sure these subscribers are on a separate list or have a specific tag so you can clearly identify their source.
• Set up an autoresponder that all new subscribers from these sources receive. An autoresponder (also referred to as an “automation sequence” or “drip sequence”) automatically sends emails to these new subscribers on a set schedule. You write the emails in advance, set things up, and then it runs in the background forever (or until you turn it off).
• Within this autoresponder, have an email that requests a review for one of your books. It can be the one you gave away for free when they joined the list (especially if that’s a novel available for sale on Amazon) or it can be the book related to what they got free for joining the list (i.e., the full-length novel related to the free prequel novella). Link them directly to the Amazon review form.
• Or, you can ask if they want to join your ARC Team, which we’ll outline below.

By the way, this autoresponder process works with your organic subscribers (those coming from the front/back matter of your book) as well. The reason I highlight cross promotions and giveaways specifically? If you’re struggling to get reviews, your current organic list is likely small. This is a quick way to dramatically increase the number of people you can either add to your ARC team or ask for reviews from.

Method #4: Create Your Own ARC Team

Why keep paying for review services with each book — essentially shotgunning your book out to readers who may or may not like it — when you can instead build a team of mega fans who will review your latest release on launch day? Like the previous two methods, this technique requires a mailing list — but after you finish setting up your mailing list, one of the next steps should be to start building your ARC (advance review copy) team.

Luckily, building an ARC team is super-easy. And it works with organic and non-organic subscribers.

Way #1 : create an automated email inviting subscribers to join your ARC team as part of your autoresponder.

Aside from a welcome email that delivers your reader magnet (the free novella, story, or novel mentioned in the previous section) and says what’s up to your new peeps, you can also have an email—further down the line—that invites subscribers to join your ARC team. A simple message—like hey, if you want free review copies of my books before they come out, reply and I’ll add you to the list —is really all you need.

Way #2 : if you don’t know a drip sequence from a dripping faucet—or haven’t set up your autoresponder—then simply sending a regular message to your existing list works fine. Same format as above: hey, I have cool pre-release copies of my latest book—you want in? Reply if you do.

That’s it. You can do this for a specific release (e.g. respond if you want an ARC copy of my new book Magic, Vamps & Potions), or just as a general invitation to receive all future books. Add the people who respond to your ARC list (or segment/tag them, depending on how fancy you wanna get).

It is extremely important to follow up with your ARC reviewers. Here’s a basic schedule:

• 10 – 14 DAYS BEFORE LAUNCH : Send out the ARC copies. Deliver these via BookFunnel to increase the # of people who actually download the ARC. If you do the special trick outlined in the section below, you can include the review link to the paperback.
• LAUNCH DAY : Send out a link to the Amazon review form on launch day reminding people to review. Including the link is important — it makes things easier for reviewers, and will increase the number of reviews.
• 7 – 10 DAYS AFTER LAUNCH : Send a final message thanking all those who have left a review while reminding anyone who didn’t to review the book. Explain that reviews are critical to the book’s success. Most people are happy to do you a favor, particularly when you’ve already done them one by giving ’em a free ARC copy.

On a closing note, never request positive reviews; I always emphasize that reviewers should leave honest reviews. If someone signed up to your ARC team, they are almost always a big fan of your work, which makes them extremely unlikely to leave a review lower than four stars, anyway. On a related note, I do not remove non-reviewers or people who leave me low ratings; this demands a lot of time that can be better spent elsewhere. And finally, always remind ARC team members to disclose that they received a free book with language a la “I received a free review copy of this book from the author.”

Method #5: Ask in the Back Matter and Then Set Your Book to Free

I don’t do this any more, but I’ll explain the technique first, then explain my reasoning for no longer employing it.

In the back matter, right after “THE END” or “END OF BOOK 1,” on the same page , I used to have three things: a link to my mailing list; a link to book #2 with a brief, one-sentence description; and a request that goes a little something like this: If you enjoyed this book, please leave a brief review on Amazon by tapping here. Thanks.

This will increase the number of reviews you’ll receive. Make sure “please leave a brief review on Amazon by tapping here” links directly to the book’s review form. This increases the number of reviews you’ll receive.

A note: if you’re wide, use “please leave a brief review on your online bookseller of choice” and omit the direct link. Other retailers take umbrage to directly linking to competitors. It’s not worth generating a different EPUB for each retailer, in my opinion, hence the more general language. If you’re Amazon exclusive, just say Amazon (or Amazon/Goodreads, since Goodreads is owned by ‘zon).

Finally, an important note: the more cluttered your back matter, the less likely a buyer will take any action at all. If you have a million requests back there—follow me on Twitter! Here’s this thing I’m doing on Wattpadd! Oh yeah, I do dope Kabuki theater with this awesome troupe!—readers will take no action at all .

This is the reason I no longer include a review request in my back matter. While such a request increases the number of reviews you get, it decreases sellthrough. Instead of purchasing the next book in the series, readers leave a review. This gives them additional time to be distracted by a different book, and purchase it instead. Additionally, an automatic pop-up now appears at the end of books read on Kindle devices asking you to leave a review. This makes the review request semi-redundant. Here are the comparative stats for the back matter (back matter with the review ask on the left):

Ultimately, the goal is to sell more books and make more money — not collect dozens of reviews.

These days, I limit the number of CTAs (call-to-action) to one or two: a brief teaser with a link to the next book, and – depending on the series – a link to join my mailing list. Each additional link or request you add decreases the chance of the reader taking the desired action. That will almost always be purchasing the next book, so we want to make that link/teaser the focus.

However, if you are struggling to get reviews, you can use the review CTA + a free run on your book to generate some. I’d only do this if you have less than ten reviews. Otherwise, as outlined above, the review request will cut into your sellthrough too much to be worthwhile.

The technique: Give your book away free for 5 days and have a review request in the back matter . Book some paid promo so that you generate at least 3,000 – 5,000 downloads during your run. As mentioned earlier, you can generally expect one review for every 1,000 books you give away. For paid copies, you can expect around one review for every 100 books sold. However, those numbers can be much higher if your book has high sellthrough (e.g. people are finishing the book).

Understand that review averages for free books generally skew anywhere from a half-star to a full star lower than reviews for paid books. People tend to judge free products harshly. You’ll also get people trying your book who don’t like the genre and wouldn’t normally pick it up. This is normal.

Special Trick: Get Pre-Release Reviews

Unlike trad-pub authors, indie authors can’t receive reviews for their pre-order titles. There’s a clever way around this, though: setting up your KDP Print paperback ahead of time and “releasing it,” then directing your reviewers to the review link for the print copy listing.

Here’s how:

• Make sure your eBook is available for pre-order and that you have the final draft of your manuscript available . This is critical because by publishing the paperback you will be making the actual book available for sale (at least for a couple hours), and thus you don’t want readers accidentally purchasing a placeholder full of blank pages.
• Publish your paperback via KDP Print.
• Once it’s live, request for KDP support to link the paperback and pre-order eBook editions together, if they aren’t already.
• Send your reviewers the review link from the paperback edition’s Amazon page.
• Once the two editions are linked, unpublish the paperback (if you want – or just leave it as is). If you do this, the review link will remain, but the paperback will no longer be available for purchase. You can “re-release” the print edition on the actual launch day by simply going into KDP Print and making it available again.

Wrapping Up

Using this guide, you should be able to get ten Amazon reviews over the next month without much trouble.

The ultimate goal, however, should be building your own team of ARC reviewers . This is a slow process, but one worth starting now. That way, you don’t have to pay for any services or hope that readers will leave reviews. Better still, fans of your work tend to write in-depth, quality reviews (and, as a bonus, their ratings skew higher, too). And if you get something egregiously wrong in your latest release, they’ll likely email you in private instead of publicly eviscerating your book—possibly in time for you to fix your error, as well.

That’s it. Go and get some reviews. And remember, always be building your author career; not just a shiny stable of gold stars on a platform (Amazon) that you don’t own.

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How to Get Reviews on Amazon in 2024 – 7 Proven Methods

Brian Connolly

March 5, 2024

In 2023, online shopping was a lifestyle mainstay: 57% of consumers shop on Amazon at least once per week, and 61% of consumers say they’re influenced by the product with the best ratings and reviews.

We know reviews are a key influencer in consumer decision-making and how much sellers value them. In fact, one of the most common Amazon seller challenges is getting product reviews.  That’s why we’re providing the latest on how you can earn more for your business in 2024.

Product reviews can make or break a new Amazon FBA seller. According to our Consumer Trends Report , the majority of consumers are influenced to purchase a product that has the best reviews and ratings. When you launch a product this year, it’s important that you know how to get reviews on Amazon — and how to get them quickly and within Amazon’s ToS .

In this article, we’ll cover the seven most effective ways to get product reviews on Amazon. This includes Amazon programs and features, as well as off-Amazon strategies that third-party sellers can use to seek and gain reviews.

Important: As of this writing, all of the methods listed below are viable ways to get product reviews and do not violate Amazon’s terms of service.

How to get reviews on Amazon in 2024

Gaining new reviews on your listings is hard but not impossible. Let’s go over seven effective ways to grow your review count on Amazon!

1. Use Jungle Scout’s Review Automation feature

This feature inside Jungle Scout is the easiest way to request reviews from your Amazon customers . Jungle Scout’s Review Automation feature takes a “set it and forget it” approach to earn product reviews. 

This first-of-its-kind, Amazon ToS-approved feature sends automated review requests to customers who have purchased your product. While you can manually request reviews in bulk with the Jungle Scout Chrome Extension , this in-app tool streamlines the process by automatically doing it for you. It eliminates the tedious task of manually requesting reviews from buyers in Seller Central so you can save time, and invest it back into your business. 

You can easily see the status of review requests and track how much time you’ve saved on your Review Automation dashboard. Never miss an opportunity to earn a review — simply turn on the feature, and you’re good to go. 

Review Automation also allows sellers to skip review requests for orders or specific products, delay review requests for orders, and create a more detailed and customizable order table. 

Skipping 

If you do not want Review Automation to send a review request for a specific order or product, you can turn on the skipping feature, and review requests will not be sent. 

• Skip Review Requests for Orders : The ability to skip review requests for specific orders based on the user settings. The user can select an Amazon order ID and Review Automation will not send out a review request.
• Skip Review Requests for Products : The ability to turn off review requests for a specific product or products. Select the ASINs that don’t require a review request. 

Review requests will not be sent for the order if it contains a product whose product settings are set to “Do not send review request.”

Delaying 

The delay feature allows sellers to customize when review requests are sent out. These time delays can be set at three different levels.

• Marketplace : Change the send time for all ASINs and orders in a marketplace.
• Product : Change the send time for all orders of a specific product. 
• Order : Change the send time for an individual order.

This feature can be very useful for products that need more time for a consumer to use and evaluate, such as a bottle of daily vitamins. If a review request is sent the day after the vitamins are delivered, the customer will not have had enough time to use the product and evaluate how it has worked for them. 

Informing 

This feature makes it easier for sellers to customize the Review Automation dashboard. These new widgets provide more insight into how many reviews are getting set out and provide a more accurate estimate of how much time you are saving with the tool.

• Redesign of the Order Table : New columns added showing the orders, product name, and images
• Request Canceled : Seller cancels the review request for an order
• Scheduled : Scheduled to be sent
• Request Sent : The review request was sent for the order
• Amazon Issue : When there is any syncing issue, Review Automation will try to resend the request three times
• Refunded Order : If an order is refunded, a request will not be sent
• *If the product is outside of the 5-30 day window
• Bulk Operations : Change the request status of orders in bulk
• Filter by Status : The ability to filter the results in the table based on status
• Updated Widgets : Shows important stats related to reviews (Time Saved, Request Sent, etc.)

Jungle Scout subscribers can also take advantage of other multiple tools that enable you to get more Amazon reviews .

The Review Automation tool is available through the Jungle Scout Suite and Professional plans.

2. Use Amazon’s “Request a Review” button

Amazon’s “ Request a Review ” button allows you to manually request reviews for each of your orders in Seller Central within four to 30 days of purchase.

This is an incredibly powerful feature that can exponentially increase your chances of receiving a review. 

Here’s some proof: Prior to the release of the “Request a Review” button on March 8, 2020, the average review increase for orders was 3.6 reviews. For 94.7% of sellers who used “Request a Review” after it was released, the average increase jumped to 25.9 reviews. That’s a massive difference!

Of course, going through each and every order to click the “Request a Review” button can be tedious and time-consuming. This is where Review Automation and our next solution come into play.

Bulk Request Review 

If you have Jungle Scout’s Extension , you can request reviews for your Amazon FBA orders in bulk, rather than sending a request for each individual order. 

On your Amazon Seller Central order page, click on the button for Jungle Scout’s Extension . It will then open and ask you to add additional permissions. Once you agree to the permissions, a new “Request Reviews on This Page” button will appear on the far right on your orders list. When the requests are done sending, the button will change to say “Finished Requesting Reviews.”

Select a date range (we recommend between four and 30 days as that is the time period during which Amazon allows you to request reviews) and click the button. Amazon will then automatically send review requests to all of the orders on that page that qualify for the “Request a Review” button.

You can also submit individual requests without clicking on the orders. That way you won’t have to go through each individual post.

Bulk Requests in the Extension is available with all Jungle Scout plans . 

3. Enroll your product in the Amazon Vine Program

Amazon’s Vine Program is open to sellers who have Amazon brand-registered products and fewer than 30 reviews.

In the Vine program , a seller submits 30 units of inventory. Vine reviewers receive the product for free, test the product out, and write a review. 

In many ways, it is similar to the incentivized review programs banned by Amazon in late 2016. The only difference now is that the reviewers in the program are being vetted by Amazon.

According to Amazon, “25% of reviews received occur within 5 days of the order, while 99% of reviews received occur within 35 days of the order,” so (naturally) this is a game-changer, as it helps newly registered products get reviews fast.

Amazon Vine does have an enrollment fee but the actual fee depends on how many units you enroll. 

If your product does not receive any reviews within 90 days, you will not be charged an enrollment fee. 

4. Use third-party automated email responders

In addition to Amazon’s internal automated responder, many sellers use third-party responders to send messages through Amazon’s seller messaging system. 

It’s important to note, however, that Amazon limited the quantity and types of messages that can be sent via its Seller Messaging System. From Amazon : 

“You may send proactive Permitted Messages for the following reasons: resolving an issue with order fulfillment, requesting additional information required to complete the order, asking a return-related question, sending an invoice, requesting product review or seller feedback or both, scheduling the delivery of a heavy or bulky item, scheduling a Home Services appointment, verifying a custom design, or any other reason where the contact is required for the buyer to receive their purchase.

“Permitted Messages do not include any of the following message types (in many cases we are already emailing customers with this information on your behalf):

• Order or shipping confirmations 
• Messages that say only “Thank you” or that you are here to help if buyers have any problems
• Marketing or promotional messaging, including coupons
• Language that either incentivizes or persuades the buyer to submit positive product reviews or seller feedback, including by offering compensation, money, gift cards, free or discounted products, refunds, rebates or reimbursements, or future benefits
• Language that requests removal or an update of an existing product review
• Language that requests a product review only if they have had a positive experience with the product
• A repeat request (per order) for a product review or seller feedback”

Basically, you can only send permitted messages to request for a review/feedback or where contact is required. You can no longer send shipment updates, thanks for ordering, etc.

5. Create a contact list for emails

Since the seller messaging system and third-party automated responders have become limited, you will need to find other ways to communicate with your shoppers.

Remember: as long as they’re buying your products via Amazon, they’re Amazon’s customers. To get past this hurdle, you will need to build your brand off Amazon, and one of the best ways to do that is by building your own email list. 

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to create an email list. You can build one through social media . Or you can create a blog that asks for people to subscribe. Once you have a mailing list, you can request reviews from those who have purchased from you. 

6. Utilize product inserts

Easily, the most popular way to encourage shoppers to leave product reviews on Amazon is through the use of product inserts . Many sellers insert a card into their packaging, asking shoppers to leave a review. 

However, product inserts have recently caught the attention of Amazon. They’ve noticed that some sellers have been breaking the “guidelines” described in the “Don’t forget to follow the rules” section of this article.

The example picture below is against Amazon’s terms . You cannot divert negative reviews or tell people to email you instead of leaving a negative review.

Here are some best practices for product inserts:

• Ask for product reviews, but remain neutral . Telling people to leave you a five-star review — or even showing a picture of five-stars — is against Amazon’s guidelines.
• Give useful information about your company and product, such as tips on how to use the product correctly. 

Never ask a customer to contact you outside of the Buyer-Seller Messaging platform in Seller Central. Good customer service goes a long way toward preventing negative product reviews.

7. Mitigate negative reviews

You can mitigate poor reviews of your products proactively by ensuring that your product is top-notch and worthy of a commendable review. Reactively, you can address any customer service issues that may arise.

Plus, by using a tool like Jungle Scout’s Alerts , you can be notified whenever you get a poor review. Previously, Amazon did not allow sellers to reach out directly to customers who left negative reviews. Currently, however, sellers who are enrolled in Brand Registry can now contact customers .

This new feature can help you improve the customer’s experience with your brand, giving you a chance to have them remove their negative review, or even better — change it to a positive one. 

Amazon product review rules

Amazon takes its product reviews very seriously. In fact, many sellers are suspended from the platform due to review manipulation.

When you’re trying to get reviews on Amazon, it’s important that you understand the difference between legal methods and black hat tactics (which can get your business suspended from Amazon).

Here are some essential Amazon product review rules you should know — and follow:

1. You can’t incentivize reviews

As recently as 2016, you could offer products at a low price — or even for free — in exchange for a product review. It was a strategy that helped countless sellers build up their reviews and gain popularity.

However, Amazon discovered that, more often than not, this led to over-inflated reviews. So, because far more products were receiving a 4-5 star rating than were warranted, Amazon banned this practice in 2016. Offering back-end discounts for positive reviews will likely lead to suspension.

2. You can’t cherry-pick reviews

Another thing Amazon has put a stop to within the last couple of years is “cherry-picking” reviews. In other words, sellers cannot ask for reviews from customers they know had a good experience while ignoring those who’ve had neutral or negative experiences. 

3. How to buy Amazon reviews

You can’t! Buying Amazon reviews, whether real or fake, is a big no-no with Amazon. If Amazon finds out you used a service to pay for reviews, your account will be suspended. 

The only way to “buy” Amazon reviews is through the Amazon Vine Program, which we discussed above. Do not purchase reviews from any other third service that promises to give you real reviews on Amazon. 

How to get Amazon reviews in 2024

Hopefully, the information in this article has given you good ideas for how to get Amazon product reviews in 2024.At the minimum, use Amazon’s methods, as they are 100% free of any “gray areas”. And always make sure to play by Amazon’s rules. Remember: A few extra sales garnered by using a black hat tactic isn’t worth putting your entire seller account in jeopardy.

To learn more about Amazon’s terms of service, be sure to read our breakdown of Amazon’s product review terms of service .

You can also read about what happens to sellers who incorporate “black hat” tactics in their selling strategies.

Start automating Amazon reviews today.

Click the button below to learn more about Jungle Scout, including how you can get Review Automation to get more product reviews for your business!

Ecommerce Expert & Writer at Jungle Scout

Brian Connolly is an Amazon seller, ecommerce expert, and writer for Jungle Scout. He lives in the New Jersey Shore area with his wife and cat. When he isn’t writing advice online for aspiring and experienced Amazon sellers for Jungle Scout, he spends his free time boating, fishing, and selling boating-themed items on his Amazon business.

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avery (May 14, 2024)
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• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 76% 12% 7% 2% 3% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 76% 12% 7% 2% 3% 3%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book's content good and lays things out very well. They also describe the reading experience as a MUST read that will change their lives. Readers praise the writing quality as easy to understand, brilliant, and gradual. They find the engagement inspiring and not boring. Customers also mention the tone as good and eye opening.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book's content great, with insights into the latest health research. They say it's an eye-opening book that explains in great detail what certain substances do. Readers also appreciate the tips and gradual approach.

"...This book is an absolute must read. She's a great writer & lays things out very well ...." Read more

"This was an eye opening book in many ways . My husband and I are very excited to start the first month...." Read more

"...is an outstanding book due to the fact that it combines groundbreaking research findings from Modern Medicine and the wisdom of Ancient traditional..." Read more

"...Medical schools don’t cover nutrition. Book is excellent. Offers much information everybody shouldn’t know...." Read more

Customers find the book a quick, easy read that will change their lives. They also say the knowledge is done simply and reasonably.

"...It's some scary, sobering stuff. This book is an absolute must read . She's a great writer & lays things out very well...." Read more

"...Start simple and then take steps toward the more complex. Great book ! I have recommended to many of my friends." Read more

"This is a great read for the understanding what you are digesting and how if effects your whole body. I felt very informed afterward...." Read more

"...FDA is a joke! Medical schools don’t cover nutrition. Book is excellent . Offers much information everybody shouldn’t know...." Read more

Customers find the book easy to read and comprehend, with stories and facts. They also appreciate the references and the gradual approach. Overall, readers describe the book as one of the top reads in its field and categories.

"...This book is an absolute must read. She's a great writer & lays things out very well...." Read more

"...She gives very simple and more complex steps to take for your best health. Start simple and then take steps toward the more complex. Great book!..." Read more

"...and health span positively is written in this book in a very easy to comprehend language ...." Read more

"...I felt very informed afterward. It was written in a way that was easy to understand and engaging." Read more

Customers find the book inspiring, engaging, and passionate. They also say it's heartfelt and brilliant, and that it'll make them feel more energy, aliveness, and presence. Customers also mention that the book is not repetitive.

"...It is a precious devotional work deserving of great adoration as everything one needs to know to profoundly impact lifespan and health span..." Read more

"...It was written in a way that was easy to understand and engaging ." Read more

"...Following the advice within the book is easy and really exciting because the process works!..." Read more

"...through so much and the way that she describes it is heartfelt and passionate and truly brilliant. I have told so many people about this book...." Read more

Customers find the tone of the book fantastic, and mention that it has good energy.

" Good Energy is an outstanding book due to the fact that it combines groundbreaking research findings from Modern Medicine and the wisdom of Ancient..." Read more

"...cancer diagnosis and I’m finally, with the help of this resource, Good Energy , feeling better than ever, powered by the tenets, principles and tips..." Read more

"...This author of Good Energy is a crazy genius and I’m so glad I saw her on a podcast and then bought the book. my whole life has changed...." Read more

"...this book and am excited about getting "onboard" with improving my energy and health ...." Read more

Customers find the book has changed their views on healthy and longevity. They say it helps them protect themselves from common chronic diseases in the long term. Customers also mention that they're stronger, slimmer, and sleeping better after reading it.

"... I’m stronger , slimmer, sleeping so much better and just overall feeling great! Get the book! You’ll carry it with you, everywhere you go, as I do!" Read more

"I’ve read numerous wellness books and this one is a one stop shop for disease prevention and actual health- care...." Read more

"...do to reverse the damage in our bodies to heal and live happy, long and vital lives ...." Read more

"...aliveness, and presence in the short term, and protect yourself from many common chronic diseases in the long term." Read more

Customers find the book worth the price for the investment of knowledge that comes with it.

"...She's a great writer & lays things out very well. It's worth the price for the investment of knowledge that comes accompanies it." Read more

"...It's an eye-opener and worth every cent ." Read more

"Fast Delivery * Reasonable Price * Good Comm * Excellent Seller" Read more

"...remarkable is Casey's thorough exploration of research-backed, cost-free tools for thriving in life...." Read more

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This book will change your life

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