Book Review Coaching

Amazon is like a big store with lots of shelves. They put products in categories on pages. They shelf books in similar categories on pages, with the best ones on the first pages of the search results. 

Customer reviews are the golden ticket. Books with many reviews win higher placement on search pages. Therefore, gaining positive book reviews is an essential element to increasing book exposure. 

As a general rule, a book needs at least five reviews with four stars or higher to establish consumer trust. Those with 20 or more leaning more toward five full stars are the bomb! Books with greater than 250 reviews are viewed with suspicion, as it will be assumed that the author paid for reviews because it is an inordinate amount.

We offer personalized coaching to assist authors to meet goals for obtaining valuable book reviews. Schedule a session using the contact page. Fees are $99/hr. 

What will occur during the meeting: 

• Walk through the process of developing and submitting a verified book review and submit the book review for your book on Amazon.
• Five sample book reviews.
• Basic evaluation with guidelines for improving visibility for Amazon sales. 

See the information on Amazon Customer Reviews for details behind book reviews.

 Book Reviews (from Dynamic Book Marketing 2026 by Sheri Hauser)

Amazon Customer Reviews

Amazon is the big daddy of book sales. Reviews are an important way to establish trust in products. Amazon uses product reviews extensively throughout its entire website. I am sure many of you have submitted a review after receiving a product. For instance, I routinely submit reviews on VistaPrint after I order a product. I say something nice and attach a photo. VistaPrint is looking for product reviews with substance, so they are happy to post my positive reviews and photos of my use of the flags, banners, etc. in my successful business. It is a win-win situation. Amazon also encourages reviews.

Amazon, as a company, is like a big store with lots of shelves. They put products in categories on pages. They shelf books in similar categories on pages, with the best ones on the first pages of the search results.

Customer reviews are the golden ticket. Books with many reviews win higher placement on search pages. Therefore, gaining positive book reviews is an essential element to increasing book exposure. I will unravel the mystery. 

As a general rule, a book needs at least five reviews with four stars or higher to establish consumer trust. Those with 20 or more leaning more toward five full stars are the bomb! Books with greater than 250 reviews are viewed with suspicion, as it will be assumed that the author paid for reviews because it is an inordinate amount. We will go into paid reviews at length later in the book. 

Many people have asked about how to submit a review on a book. Below is copied from Amazon. 

To submit a review, customers can find the book in Your Orders or go to the reviews section of the book page and select Write a product review. After they submit a review, the Amazon Community team will check to see if it meets the Community Guidelines.

Amazon book review guidelines prohibit reviews with financial or personal connections to the author and reviews that are manipulated through compensation like cash, discounts, or free products. Reviews must be the reviewer’s honest opinion, cannot contain insults or misinformation, and should follow the general community guidelines for content. While authors can provide free or discounted copies of their books, they cannot require a review in exchange or try to influence it.  

Prohibited Content and Actions

• No compensation: Do not write a review for cash, discounts, free products, gift cards, or a refund. 
• No close connections: Avoid reviews from friends, family, or business associates of the author. 
• No review swapping: Do not exchange reviews with other authors or write reviews for competitors. 
• No promotion: Reviews should not be used to advertise your own book or services. 
• No manipulation: Reviews cannot be edited or removed in exchange for compensation. 
• No insults or falsehoods: Do not post content that insults others or contains blatant falsehoods. 
• No misleading content: Do not include misleading descriptions or content that doesn’t accurately represent the book. 

Permitted Content and Actions

Honest opinion: Reviews should reflect your genuine opinion, whether positive or negative. 

Free or discounted copies: It is acceptable to review a free or discounted book from an author or publisher, but they cannot require a review in exchange for the book. 

Disclosure of free copies: You must state in the review if you received a free copy. 

Vine reviews: Reviews for free products through the Amazon Vine program are allowed and will be labeled accordingly. 

Editorial reviews: You can pay for professional editorial reviews, which are separate from customer reviews. 

Self-editing: Reviewers can edit their own reviews after they have been posted. 

Minimum purchase: You must have spent at least $50 on Amazon in the last 12 months to be able to submit a review. 

*AI: on the subject of amazon book reviews guidelines

Here’s another article on what is permitted with Amazon Book Reviews

What’s permitted

Amazon says this: “You may provide free or discounted copies of your books to readers. However, you may not demand a review in exchange or attempt to influence the review. Offering anything other than a free or discounted copy of the book—including gift cards—will invalidate a review, and we’ll have to remove it.”

Reviewers can remove or edit a review after it is posted.

Amazon says that just because a review is written by a friend or a social media connection doesn’t necessarily result in that review being taken down.

A reviewer can link to another product—such as their own—if it is relevant and available on Amazon.

Friends & family Book Reviews
A common question we hear is whether friends and family can review a book. Amazon says this: We don’t allow individuals who share a household with the author or close friends to write Customer Reviews for that author’s book.

It used to be that Amazon encouraged authors to have their friends use the customer discussions feature to promote their book. That feature has been discontinued, and readers are being referred to Goodreads Groups (requires login).

TIP: One way Amazon can monitor who your close friends are is by comparing the reviewer’s contact information with the contact information in your account’s address book. For example, if you’ve used Amazon for Christmas shopping, you probably don’t want to bother asking any of those people to write a review.

Giving Books Away to Get Reviews

If you give your book away for the purpose of getting a review, you must instruct your prospective reviewer to disclose how they received your book. There are many ways for the reviewer to do this; it just must be conspicuous. They can put it at the end of the review (most common), the beginning, or in the subject line. 

Here are some sample phrases you can suggest if you ask others to write a review for your book.

In the subject line: I received an ARC for an objective review.

I received a copy of this book via [name of source, i.e., NetGalley, Edelweiss, the publisher, author] and I’m reviewing it voluntarily.

I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

https://www.authorimprints.com/amazon-book-review-policy-authors/

How Amazon Sees It 

First off, let’s be real—no one truly knows the secret sauce behind Amazon’s algorithms except Amazon itself when giving out their BSR scoring. Their algorithms are constantly evolving, and by the time you’re reading this, things could have changed again! 

But from what we’ve observed, there’s one thing that’s clear: Verified Reviews carry more weight than unverified ones when it comes to your Best Seller Rank (BSR). But this doesn’t mean that unverified reviews are bad for your book. Here’s a simple way to think about it: it might take five unverified reviews to have the same impact as one Verified Review (we’re just guessing the numbers, but you get the idea!). And here’s a bonus tip—reviews with photos pack an even bigger punch! It’s like turning one Unverified review into a Verified review or one Verified Review into five. Amazon’s algorithm seems to love those extra visuals because they provide more consumer confirmation that helps sell your book, and that can really help boost your BSR.

Pro Tip: As we understand it, Amazon’s algorithms not only calculate your BSR based on how many books you have sold and how fast it is selling, but also by how frequently reviews are posted. Sure, the first 30 days of your book launch are crucial for setting a strong BSR, but here’s the kicker—if you’re not getting consistent reviews (whether verified or unverified) posted at least once a week or several times a month, your BSR score could take a hit. Consistency is key to keeping Amazon’s algorithms happy and your book visible!

Note: Amazon doesn’t mind books receiving unverified reviews; however, Amazon does not love reviewers posting a lot of unverified reviews. Posting too many unverified reviews can affect your reviewing account. 

How Consumers See It

Now, let’s talk about readers. Most consumers don’t even know what a Verified Review means, let alone care about it. What they do notice is quantity—how many reviews does the book have? If a book has 100 reviews and another has 1000, they’re probably going to gravitate towards the one with more reviews. Why? Because they’ll think, “Well, if a lot of people have reviewed it, it must be good!”

Consumers usually scan products in a specific way:

• First: They look at how many people reviewed the book. A book with 50 reviews is more likely to beat a book with zero reviews. A book with 100 reviews is more likely to beat a book with 50 reviews. A book with 1000 reviews is more likely to beat a book with 100 reviews. Not in every case, but you get the point.
• Next: They check out the star rating. If it’s mostly positive, great! If it’s filled with 1-star and 2-star reviews, that’s an immediate red flag.
• Next: They skim a few reviews, and trust me—they’re more interested in what people didn’t like than what they did like. 
• Lastly: Don’t forget—the cover of your book, its title, the interior layout and editing, and the book’s selling description all play an important factor in a consumer’s buying decision. Ninety-eight percent of the time, a purchase is made from emotion.
• Of course, not every shopper follows this exact pattern, but the majority do. 

https://help.book-bounty.com/en/articles/9879411-verified-reviews-vs-unverified-reviews

Verified Reviews

A verified review indicates the reviewer has purchased the product through the platform, such as a book bought on Amazon, which increases its credibility. An unverified review is from someone who acquired the product through other means, such as borrowing, getting a free copy, or purchasing from a different store, and lacks this official platform confirmation. The main difference lies in the verifiable purchase history, which impacts how much trust and weight the review carries with other potential customers. 

Indicates a purchase: The reviewer has bought the product on the platform (e.g., Amazon) and the platform can confirm the transaction.

Higher credibility: They are seen as more trustworthy because the reviewer has a confirmed, direct experience with the product.

Impact on ratings: On sites like Amazon, a “Verified Purchase” badge indicates that the review carries more weight in the overall star rating.

Limitations: The reviewer may not have purchased the item at full price, or other conditions may prevent the badge from appearing. 

Unverified Reviews

No confirmed purchase: The reviewer did not buy the product through the platform where the review is posted.

Common sources: These can come from people who bought the book elsewhere, received it as a gift, borrowed it from a library, or received a free copy for review.

Lower credibility: These reviews are sometimes viewed with more skepticism due to a higher risk of bias or fake content, as there is no verified purchase history.

Can still be valuable: Despite being unverified, these reviews can still provide valuable insight into the book’s quality or content. 

*This information came from AI on the subject of Verified Book Reviews vs. unverified book reviews.

Posting Unverified Reviews to Amazon

To post an unverified book review, anyone who has spent at least $50 on Amazon in the last 12 months can do it, even if they didn’t purchase the book on Amazon. To be eligible, the reviewer must be a real customer and not have a close financial connection to the author, such as being a family member or business partner. While the reviewer’s account will not show a “Verified Purchase” badge, the review can still be helpful if it meets Amazon’s community guidelines. 

Who can post unverified reviews? 

Any Amazon customer who has spent at least $50 in the last 12 months is eligible to write reviews, whether they bought the book on Amazon or elsewhere.

Friends and family can leave reviews if they don’t live with the author, share an account, or have a close financial connection to the author. 

How to post an unverified review 

Log in to your Amazon account: Sign in to the Amazon account that meets the $50 spending requirement.

Find the book: Navigate to the book’s page on Amazon.

Click “Write a product review”: You can find this option on the book’s product page under the reviews section.

Submit your review: Write your review and submit it. Amazon’s system will check it against its community guidelines before it is posted. 

Important considerations 

No “Verified Purchase” badge: Unverified reviews will not have a “Verified Purchase” badge, which can be a sign that the reviewer did not buy the product directly from Amazon.

Community guidelines: The review must still comply with Amazon’s community guidelines to be published.

Author’s perspective: While unverified reviews are allowed, authors are discouraged from getting too many from the same source to avoid any potential issues with their account. 

Getting More Book Reviews

Book reviews provide reader credibility with the goal of converting visitors into buyers of your title. There are several types of book reviews.

Editorial Book Reviews

An Editorial Review is where a professional third party gives an unbiased critique of your work. Their comments relate to structure, style, or merit. These reviews come from book editors, trade publications, and experts in the genre. They are used to educate the audience on new books. 

Free Editorial Reviews: 

• Midwest Book Review
• Booklist by American Library Assn.
• Library Journal
• City Book Review
• Washington Independent Review of Books
• Porchlight Books
• Reader’s Favorite
• Reader’s View

Paid Book Reviews

Paid Reviews occur when the title is submitted with the goal to increase exposure, find readers, and bump the review count. According to the Amazon contract, it is not legal to pay for a book review. The way the companies get around it is they charge the authors to post their book and show it to a specified audience who read it (for free), with the hope that they will leave a review. Some boast high review numbers based on history. Here is a review of some of the largest paid book reviewer options.

Book Sirens- They offer paid plans at $10 per month with a reader plan at $2 per book.
How it works: The author submits a book. If it is accepted, then it is added to a bank of similar books and shown to readers (who have been vetted). They promote it for three months. When someone downloads the book, the subscriber is charged $2. You cannot remove bad reviews. They are honest and unbiased. 

Book Sirens does not pay readers for reviews, but the fee is for them to locate readers. Authors can invite readers to join the review team. Authors may also request reviews be posted to Amazon, Kobo, Apple, Book Hub, and Google. 

NetGalley-is a company that connects book publishers with reviewers, often from media, libraries, and book sellers. Subscribers pay for them to post the book, which is then put on their database for readers. They release ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) to their database.

This is a good option for the pre-launch of a book. 

These are not typical readers, but those with education and expertise in the field. 

Their database includes readers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA.

Reviewers are critics and may not leave 5-star reviews. 

The cost is $849 per title or $495 for 6 months. You can join for a lower cost by joining IBPA or Xpress Services. 

Book submitters can view reader profiles and decide who may access their book. 

Book review comparisons…per AI, online

Book review options can be categorized by purpose, including social platforms like Goodreads for reader engagement, professional services like NetGalley for pre-publication exposure, and sites like Book Marks that aggregate professional critics’ opinions. Other options include paid review services, but it’s important to distinguish these from legitimate editorial reviews, as paid reviews can vary widely in quality and verifiability. Academic or comparative reviews, on the other hand, are a different type of writing that requires comparing two or more books in depth. 

For readers

Goodreads: 

A social platform where users can track reading, write reviews, and connect with other readers and authors. 

Book Marks:

Aggregates professional book reviews from various major publications, providing an average grade for a book. 

Academic/Comparative Reviews:

Written pieces that critically compare two or more books, often for a course or a personal project. 

Grammarly Blog:

Offers guidance on writing a personal book review, focusing on plot, character, pacing, and literary devices. 

Book Reviews for Authors

Net Galley

A service for authors to get pre-publication digital copies of their book to reviewers in exchange for feedback and reviews. 

Book Bounty/Book Reverb: 

These are services that can be used to obtain verified book reviews, though the quality and authenticity can vary. They are a way to supplement other review strategies. 

ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) and Reedsy:  

Other platforms where authors can find reviewers and services, though the pay rates vary. 

Paid Review Services:

Services like EssayHub offer paid book review writing assistance, though they differ from professional editorial reviews. 

How to choose the right option

For readers: 

Choose Goodreads for social interaction and personal discovery. Use Book Marks to see professional critical opinions. Opt for comparative reviews when a deep analysis is required.

For authors: 

Choose NetGalley for a professional and established pre-publication reviewer community. Consider using paid review services to supplement your review strategy but be mindful of the quality and verifiability of the reviews. You may need to use a combination of services to achieve your desired results.

Book Review Videos

10 Sites to get More Book Reviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVp1LCYZ7kk

Getting Book Reviews with BookSprout and BookSirens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWKsNix3hK0

What’s Worked to Get More Book Reviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4-lsNOZcnE

Best Paid Book Review Sites for Authors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uOlNf9Bdeo

Getting Book Reviews with NetGalley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpnTsFYg8hA

Why Every Author Needs a Goodreads Account

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRTCwBkeess

A Great New Tool for Getting More Book Reviews on Amazon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpektAEf39E