When you are writing a book review on Amazon, it is important to remember that the rating has a direct influence on the success of the book. It will be included in Amazon algorithms and pretty much defines the future success or failure of the author.
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Before Rating or Reviewing a Title:
- Know what the rules of the game are and what consequences giving a three star rather than a 4-Star review are.
- In order to review a book, it is necessary to first register
- Anyone who has spent at least USD 50 on Amazon purchases is eligible to register
- Once registered in one country, registered users can write reviews in any of Amazon national sites, regardless of location
- Anything over 20 words qualifies as a review.
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Editorial Reviews
Many authors and book reviewers miss this: An editorial review is placed “over the fold” on the book’s sales page. Visitors can read it right under your book. Checking out the regular book reviews they have to scroll down all the way to the end of the page.
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Amazon writes: “The only type of paid review that we support is an editorial review. An editorial review is a more formal evaluation of a book usually written by an editor or expert within a genre, but can also be written by family and friends.”
Here are the official Amazon guidelines regarding reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/community-help/customer-reviews-guidelines
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If you are a member of Goodreads or other reader communities, place your book review there too.
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Helpful or Unhelpful?
Reviews can also be rated as helpful or unhelpful. Helpful reviews will rise to the top and unhelpful ones will be pushed to the bottom. This is a powerful tool for your friends or family to choose which of the reviews on your Amazon sales page was helpful – or not 😉
Readers who are not registered as reviewers, still have the possibility to “like” any book from the book’s buy page. “Likes” have only a marginal effect on Amazon’s algorithms. If you liked the book, the author deserves your click.
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Bad Reviews are Forever …
This is not the place to vent anger mindlessly.
Amazon algorithms give any reviewer the power to support writers. If you liked an author and wish him to continue writing, support the author by giving a review of 4 stars or more. Reach out to your author by writing in words what you liked about the book and where you think it would benefit from improvement, yet, do not penalize the author with a 3-Star review.
Reviewing or rating is meant to help fellow readers and participate in the reader community. Reviewing is an awesome power to use with care. Keep in mind that Amazon’s algorithms are changing often.
The weight of a negative rating might do more damage to the author than intended, so better think twice before giving a low rating. 3-Stars and less are read by Amazon algorithms as “not recommended” and will hurt the author.
Read More: Further proof that Amazon reviews drive book sales:
http://authormarketinginstitute.com/finally-proof-that-amazon-favors-books-with-more-reviews/
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