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Exciting News About Goodreads: We're Joining the Amazon Family!
When Elizabeth and I started Goodreads from my living room seven years ago, we set out to create a better way for people to find and share books they love. It's been a wild ride seeing how the company has grown and watching as more than 16 million readers from across the globe have joined Goodreads and connected over a passion for books.
Today I'm really happy to announce a new milestone for Goodreads: We are joining the Amazon family. We truly could not think of a more perfect partner for Goodreads as we both share a love of books and an appreciation for the authors who write them. We also both love to invent products and services that touch millions of people.
I'm excited about this for three reasons:
1. With the reach and resources of Amazon, Goodreads can introduce more readers to our vibrant community of book lovers and create an even better experience for our members.
2. Our members have been asking us to bring the Goodreads experience to an e-reader for a long time. Now we're looking forward to bringing Goodreads to the most popular e-reader in the world, Kindle, and further reinventing what reading can be.
3. Amazon supports us continuing to grow our vision as an independent entity, under the Goodreads brand and with our unique culture.
It's important to be clear that Goodreads and the awesome team behind it are not going away. Goodreads will continue to be the wonderful community that we all cherish. We plan to continue offering you everything that you love about the site—the ability to track what you read, discover great books, discuss and share them with fellow book lovers, and connect directly with your favorite authors—and your reviews and ratings will remain here on Goodreads. And it's incredibly important to us that we remain a home for all types of readers, no matter if you read on paper, audio, digitally, from scrolls, or even stone tablets.
For all of you Kindle readers, there's obviously an extra bonus in this announcement. You've asked us for a long time to be able to integrate your Kindle and Goodreads experiences. Making that option a reality is one of our top priorities.
Our team gets out of bed every day motivated by the belief that the right book in the right hands can change the world. Now Goodreads can help make that happen in an even bigger and more meaningful way thanks to joining the Amazon family. (And if you want to be part of this, please check out our Jobs page for open positions. We've got a lot of hires to make!)
This is an emotional day for me. Goodreads is more than a company to me – it's something that Elizabeth and I created because we wanted it to exist. Since then it has grown a lot and become a place we love working at, full of incredibly smart and passionate people who also believe in our mission. I feel a little like a college graduate – happy to come to this milestone, nostalgic for the past amazing seven years, and incredibly, incredibly, excited for the future.
Otis
P.S. For the more official version of the announcement, here's the press release that went out today.
P.P.S. Please let us know – what integration with Kindle would you love to see the most?
Today I'm really happy to announce a new milestone for Goodreads: We are joining the Amazon family. We truly could not think of a more perfect partner for Goodreads as we both share a love of books and an appreciation for the authors who write them. We also both love to invent products and services that touch millions of people.
I'm excited about this for three reasons:
1. With the reach and resources of Amazon, Goodreads can introduce more readers to our vibrant community of book lovers and create an even better experience for our members.
2. Our members have been asking us to bring the Goodreads experience to an e-reader for a long time. Now we're looking forward to bringing Goodreads to the most popular e-reader in the world, Kindle, and further reinventing what reading can be.
3. Amazon supports us continuing to grow our vision as an independent entity, under the Goodreads brand and with our unique culture.
It's important to be clear that Goodreads and the awesome team behind it are not going away. Goodreads will continue to be the wonderful community that we all cherish. We plan to continue offering you everything that you love about the site—the ability to track what you read, discover great books, discuss and share them with fellow book lovers, and connect directly with your favorite authors—and your reviews and ratings will remain here on Goodreads. And it's incredibly important to us that we remain a home for all types of readers, no matter if you read on paper, audio, digitally, from scrolls, or even stone tablets.
For all of you Kindle readers, there's obviously an extra bonus in this announcement. You've asked us for a long time to be able to integrate your Kindle and Goodreads experiences. Making that option a reality is one of our top priorities.
Our team gets out of bed every day motivated by the belief that the right book in the right hands can change the world. Now Goodreads can help make that happen in an even bigger and more meaningful way thanks to joining the Amazon family. (And if you want to be part of this, please check out our Jobs page for open positions. We've got a lot of hires to make!)
This is an emotional day for me. Goodreads is more than a company to me – it's something that Elizabeth and I created because we wanted it to exist. Since then it has grown a lot and become a place we love working at, full of incredibly smart and passionate people who also believe in our mission. I feel a little like a college graduate – happy to come to this milestone, nostalgic for the past amazing seven years, and incredibly, incredibly, excited for the future.
Otis
P.S. For the more official version of the announcement, here's the press release that went out today.
P.P.S. Please let us know – what integration with Kindle would you love to see the most?
Comments Showing 501-550 of 2,216 (2216 new)
yes, and now amazon can use your sound criticism as a platform to sell their books every time a writer here mentions it. You will become, in essence, a source of free labor and copyright-free content.
Enjoy the money. I’ve already exported and deleted all my books, although Amazon probably already grabbed that database. I guess I’ll wait a few days to delete my account. I was hesitant in the first place to put my book lists and reviews on a web site, but Goodreads won me over, one of the few (or only) sites I do this kind of thing in. It was good while it lasted, but I should have trusted my instincts. I’m now looking for a database to import my info to.
I'm going with the "Wait-and-See" approach to this. Since my reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are the same (copy & paste functions are amazing!), I'm not really concerned on that front. The only thing I'm interested in is if GR recommendations will update with more regularity.
Debi wrote: "Sorry to hear the news. I guess money talks. Sad ..."+1
"Amazon supports us continuing to grow our vision as an independent entity, under the Goodreads brand and with our unique culture. "
Like you are serious? Or that is a joke? They said that on Shelfari too. And that's just an Amazon shopfront now.
I understand it's a business. They offered you loads of dosh and that was the aim from the beginning. Can't fault that.
Shame though. I did appreciate this being an independent site and now it is going to be all links leading to Amazon. I wonder if this now means that our reviews will also appear on Amazon if Amazon want them and we have checked the 'share' box. I don't want my reviews there, I'm not writing copy to sell books and make profits for them.
I have loved Goodreads but should another independent site spring up, I would leave this now. Sad, very sad.
I have a feeling that Goodreads is about to get infinitely better with Amazon's help. Like the team said, they aren't going anywhere, their vision is still theirs and the brand is still independent from Amazon, but the resources to make this a place a hell of a lot better than it already is have me very excited for the future.
Please let me one click purchase kindle versions from my 'want to read shelf'. That would make me complete. :-)
This SUCKS! Really disappointed to see Goodreads selling out. I'm going to take another look at LibraryThing.
Just as I don't want my GR to hook up to Facebook, I also don't want it to hook up to my Kindle. I like having GR separate for many reasons. One of them is that Amazon isn't always good about alerting readers to books that are in public domain and thus free at places like Gutenberg - and there will be multiple people trying to sell these books on Amazon with merely a format tweak or two. I also use GR to check on prices across various online stores - I don't want Amazon's prices to be given a primary spot, and I don't want to lose the ability to compare prices across multiple stores.Linking every place you use online is not the perk that the marketing people would like it to be - oh sure, I can see the benefits to the sales dept. The benefits are not at all obvious or useful to the consumer. Or at least to this consumer. Amazon already has a platform to sell to me, and my email address to alert me if it bothers to hook up sale prices to wish lists. I honestly don't need to link it here.
In addition, comments in message 33, 42, 43 are right on. Why couldn't Good Reads stay as it is more a family type atmosphere vs. a corporate machine.From what others have said, I'd hate to leave Good Reads but may not have a choice should information be made public that I prefer not be.
Is there going to be any way for us to export our data and close our account?
THIS. Kate wrote: "And after all the work we did when Amazon pulled their database *sigh*"
Not good for the world of readers, or for publishing. Good for your pockets, and I guess I might well have done the same in this recession. However - as an author, I am leaving Goodreads on principle.
This is a huge shame. I value Goodreads as an independent forum for independent book-lovers; when I was introduced to it a couple of years ago, it was a breath of fresh air not to be constantly hounded to spend money, but simply to indulge in and share my passion for literature. I should have known it was too good to last: attaching Goodreads to a profit-making scheme completely undermines its mission and reliability.
The main fear I have is over the combination of Amazon's and Goodreads' systems for reviews/recommendations/ratings. As a site dedicated to books, I trust Goodreads' reviews, recommendations and entire ethos. This is a book-loving community, so the ratings on here really influence me when I'm thinking about reading a book; I know they come from people who know what they're talking about when it comes to great reading and who have no ulterior motives. Although I am a big customer of Amazon, I don't feel I know or trust reviewers in the same way.
I value both sites as independent entities with entirely different functions. To try and combine them is profane. I'm so disappointed.
I get why this are exciting news for the founders of Goodreads but after transferring from Shelfari (that Amazon owns) here because I wasn't satisfied with with their site at all, I'm disappointed to see that this has happened. Especially after all the problems that happened last year with Amazon.. ?
Mandy*reads obsessively* wrote: "I do not under any circumstances want my reviews on amazon."NEITHER do I -- and if there is no way to p[revent it -- I would like time to remove them so they will not disappear because Amazon will simply DUMP what I write as reviews -- it's a GIVEN.
I really, really hope that this will just enhance Goodreads, and not reduce it to another arm of Amazon. I use Goodreads because it's NOT tied in with other companies.Speaking of, I'm a Nook user. Are us Nook users going to get kicked to the curb?
Also, does this mean my personal ratings, book lists and such will be available to everyone on Amazon? Because if so, I need to regroup.
-Is there going to be any way for us to export our data and close our account?-Go to "my books" select "all" and then further down there is an "import/export" link. On the next page on the right is the actual "export as csv" link. Right below that is "delete all my books".
So bad. Goodreads has been an incredible site, and Im pretty sure it was making money for it owners. Now, I hope Amazon does not use censorship here, and I hope we can still be the community we've been.
We all should take a deep breath,exhale and relax but keep watch."The price of liberty is eternal vigilance".
Kay wrote: "Does any body know of any good INDEPENDENT sites for book people? I will be leaving this one shortly and just wondered if their is any other available out there.Thanks Kay
If you do please priva..."
Do a search on the types of books you like. For example, I Like Young Adult Book Central, it's an easy find.
Bruce A
Shawn wrote: "Is there going to be any way for us to export our data and close our account?"Yes, you can go to My Books and export the data, but you will comments and discussions. You can then close your account and have all your comments deleted. I think the reviews remain but under the name 'deleted member' or you can delete them individually. I would do that if another site springs up.
I think this is great news. Goodreads and Amazon are an excellent fit for each other. I love both Goodreads and Amazon, and I'm thrilled they'll be working together. I'm not really sure what all the naysayers are worried about. Amazon is smart enough to realize they bought the company *because* of what it offers its users. Surely, you all realize that right? And sure, the Goodreads data is super valuable to Amazon--but so what. Now they'll just be able to do a better job of showing you what you actually might want to purchase. This is really nice when you think about it because they have so many products you can easily get overwhelmed looking and thousands of products you aren't interested. Also, if they can avoid showing you smut (if that's your thing, that's cool too, it's just not mine) because they know you don't read or shop for smut then that's a big win too. All in all, Amazon brings a lot to the table too. They'll provide a lot of resources that Goodreads might not otherwise have. This will help Goodreads achieve their mission: bringing readers together in the most efficient, intuitive, and enjoyable way possible. This isn't a bad thing people. Why y'all hate'in?
Congratulations...? It's a great opportunity, I just hope the site doesn't change too much. But as long as I'm able to continue to voice my opinions on books, share what I'm reading with my friends and keep track of my shelves, I'll be content.
You do know that Amazon is doing it's best to put bricks and mortar bookstores out of business, right? I work in an independent bookstore in Seattle, and we have so much competition from Amazon, but people love to come in and browse real books. They may just save those title in their iPhone and then go home and either buy the book on Amazon, or download it for their Kindle. Either way, bookstores are in danger. Real book lovers know that there is nothing like a real books. 1's and 0's just don't look the same on the shelf. First Nancy Pearl and now GoodReads. Exciting day for you (more money in bank), but a sad day for booksellers.
I am also upset at the loss of an outlet for self-published and independent books. While I know that Goodreads has rights to, and mines the data about the books people read, I am not happy with the loss of independence. While I have enjoyed the communities here, I am going to seriously investigate other options before deciding to continue.
“There is only one valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer.”― Peter F. Drucker
Changes will be made.....and I doubt the majority of loyal Goodreads users (myself included) will be happy with them.
I prefer Amazon being separate - it's only 2 clicks away if I really wanted it anyway.
Would love both my amazon wish list and goodreads to read list to somehow go together
Shari wrote: "Last thing Amazon bought they killed off - Stanza by Lexcycle - it was one of the best mobile reader apps around. Let's hope they keep GoodReads instead of Shelfari. *fingers crossed*"
I have to second this comment . . . they bought out Stanza so they could promote the Kindle interface . . . and Stanza was better.
Ellen wrote: "Will we be able to purchase books we see on Goodreads via Amazon? That'd be a big help and save lots of time and trouble!"You MUST be kidding -- this can't be a seious query.
I can't put down a good entrepreneurial strategy to get money for your product/brand. Awesome and congrats!As for goodread. I am still fairly new here, I have enjoyed it, and have wished I had discovered it earlier.
Like most everyone else I am trepidatious about the change.I hope it only gets better instead of more complicated and sale oriented.
Not happy as a person with a nook again I am left out in the cold this was one site I did not feel pressure to buy from amazon...as it is there are a lot of great books that I skip because they are only offered from amazon
I used to work for a company that gobbled up all its competition. And I used to write statements like that on behalf of our vanquished foes... er hem, sorry on behalf of the companies we bought. I think most of us know what it means. You've done well, so good luck with your future careers as business angels. Did it have to be Amazon though?
Oh, and as far as integration with my awesome Kindle Paperwhite goes...After reading a book, I'd like to be able to post a rating to my Goodreads and to Amazon (a rating, not a review since it's a pain typing on a touch screen) and on Goodreads note the book on my "Read" list of books. Oh, and to be able to share with Goodreads friends from the Kindle.Congratulations, Goodreads!
First congratulations!Great suggestions especially if your newly purchased books can be added directly to my "to read" list.
Con, is I'll be honest. Integrating could become pressure to conform, the best thing about good reads is you represent the reader & writer independent from purchase agents. If anything I'll worry about auto generated recommendations may reflect the books available to amazon.
Please maintain all your current great features and just simply add the easy of sharing reviews, quick purchases and "if possible adding" purchases to my "to read list" and I'll be more than happy. Oh, I have a Nexus with a kindle App hopefully I'll be supported as well.
Ugh. I freaking hate Amazon. That's why I was even ON Goodreads in the first place. I hope the reviews do NOT get linked.
Well...time to shift all my stuff over to booklikes.com . This sucks.....just to see the picture above: Kindles with a Goodreads sticker on them...come on, there are more eReaders than just Kindles - which exemplifies EXACTLY what everyone is worried about now with this social site. Too bad. I highly recommend people who are unhappy with this decision (like I am) to head over to booklikes.com . I saw the site months ago, but used GoodReads way back when they first started. This is just the worst news.
I'm out. Corporate influence that caters to Wall Street is not good. I don't believe for a second that Amazon will be hands off. That's not how public corporations work.
Liz wrote: "Nina wrote: "Liz wrote: "LibraryThing is still unadulterated and unsullied"Nope, Amazon owns 40% of LibraryThing."
Humph. I didn't know that :(
I'm retreating to the corner sofa with a good book..."
Yes, technically Amazon owns a minority portion of LT, because Abe owned it and amazon bought Abe, but they are a minority and they do not have any say in what happens on LT. The owner doesn't like them any more than those of us complaining about this and does not remotely cater to them. He made their restrictions for using their API the least intrusive that he could, and found workarounds where possible. I would heartily recommend using LT.
So, shall we expect the censorship we escaped from Amazon to follow us over here? Deleted negative reviews and books themselves mysteriously disappearing for the sake of morality? I am somewhat skeptical of this partnership.
Not happy about Amazon being the new owners of Goodreads.
Diane wrote: "Please please please don't let Amazon ruin this lovely site. I love using this place. Don't let them change a thing...please"I could get behind this -- they keep their hands off and then we will all be just fine. I'm just fearful that is not very realistic a prospect.
I am REALLY sorry to hear this. Ever since Amazon took over Shelfari, the book data over there has been all screwed up. The book data pulls from the Amazon site, even though Amazon's book data is a complete horror, with multiple pages for the same edition of a book, thus creating an equal number of separate listings for a single book on Shelfari as well. It's why Goodreads has become my main book site even though I was a member of Shelfari first.Then there's being redirected to that annoying message wanting me to link it to my Amazon account every single time I go to Shelfari. If I'd wanted to do that, I'd have done it the first time. Seeing it repeatedly is not going to change my mind, it's just made me angry.
While I'd like to believe Goodreads will retain its independence, and would especially like to see it keep its own database, after seeing what a mess Amazon has made of Shelfari, I'm not optimistic. :(
I'd love to see GoodReads book ratings on Amazon book pages!
I really hope this will be the end of the little girl reading. I'm sure you'll have money for servers and stuff!
Great, the monopoly extends. I already struggle my hardest to avoid giving Amazon any of my money due to their not only questionable but lousy ethics - filtering LGBTQ books out of bestseller lists, blackmailing publishers, carelessly allowing the advertisement of clothing featuring rape jokes, violating users' privacy and destroying their university work - the tip of the iceberg, I suspect. I already ditched Shelfari because of what it's become under Amazon management: the first sign I see of anything about GR being affected by this change, that is when I will migrate all my ~600+ ratings and/or reviews elsewhere. My own domain, if that's all I'm left with. I trust Amazon about as far as I could throw my wheelchair (which, apart from the obvious fact of my needing one, weighs more than I do).
I am about as far from excited about this as I can get. Frankly, I'm disgusted to see GR selling out in this way, particularly considering Amazon's impact on smaller publishers and retailers both online and off. If you needed to raise money, you should have created a premium account level we could pay for; I'm certain you would have had plenty enough people willing to pay for that.
And no, I want to keep the option of NOT integrating accounts - since I do have an Amazon account, despite my avoidance of buying anything from them I can get hold of elsewhere.
This is NOT a good move - it's a total sellout.
Aubrey wrote: "Happy for the team at Goodreads. Please don't let Amazon destroy the integrity and community of your great database!"AMEN -- then it may work out okay.
As others have noted, if we have not published our reviews on the Amazon site, that is probably intentional. I DO NOT WANT any of my reviews published on Goodreads to be automatically posted on the Amazon site. If at any point this is going to happen PLEASE NOTIFY USERS IN ADVANCE so those of us who wish to can delete our reviews!!!! PLEASE!!!!
Thank you for saying everything I was going to say.
I also worry how this is going to affect our ability to honestly rate books, as well as how this will impair our little community of writers and avid readers.
I have appreciated keeping my Amazon account separate from my Goodreads account, as the latter allows me to be both more vocal and more honest. If I want a Goodreads review to be available on Amazon, it takes me less than a minute to copy and paste the information over to Amazon.
I also suspect Amazon will simply squash or otherwise be an overlord to Goodreads. This is sad news, to me.