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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 551-600 of 2,216 (2216 new)
Please tell me this is an early April Fools joke! I was so thrilled to find this Amazon-free space for keeping track of books I'd like to read. Not interested in being hounded be the behemoth to buy the books on my massive to read shelf. I have a Kindle, I love it. It's handy for traveling but I will always cherish and frequent independent bookstores that truly nurture of love of reading and not just a love of making a buck. Boo GoodReads
E.W. wrote: "Too bad the members were not clued on this decision. I would have paid a fee to keep this site independent. Now all I can do is wait and see."I would have paid too! That said, I'm hopeful that the Amazon integration will be a net positive...
Amazon corporation has never had a family feel to it. They are a successful technology based retailing corporation. This merger puts goodreads independence from book sellers at risk, either real or perceived. I would rework the "family" marketing. It has no context with Amazon, it comes off as phony, and emphasizes the concern about goodreads losing its independence.
This is why Amazon is so excited:"This type of social integration could give Amazon a major advantage over e-sellers like Apple, who have no social components to their product whatsoever. With people actually discussing and sharing the books that they’re into, having an Amazon direct connect makes complete sense. The site can offer special deals to Goodreads users, which in essence is now Amazon’s book-reading social network."
http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/28/amaz...
So one day, if Amazon does what it wants, there will be no way for any other major bookseller to be able to make enough money to stay in business. And books that aren't popular will just be hidden away among the major promotions of books Amazon can make a lot of money from. It is already extremely restrictive about it's own self-published brands and you can't buy the books on Ingram, the world's major distributor of English-language books. With a greater share of the market, it will become like your local supermarket, only major brands and foods for sale. You want something special, you have to go to the local deli, if you can find one, and it might not be local either, but miles from the mall. So you can buy it online of course. Yes! Amazon sells it...
Sad news for Nook owners. Kindle is becoming 'generic' for e-book reader, which is so not good.
So you choose the single most DRM ereader out there? How bizarre. What kind of ownership of our reviews are going to be in place? What kind of privacy policy is going to be place to protect us from Amazon? Because Amazon, frankly, sucks, and there are plenty of us that dont us them for a reason.
I am unhappy with this decision, and I probably won't continue to use Goodreads. I valued having an independent site. If I wanted info from Amazon I'd go to Amazon.com (and I do; I own both a Kindle and a Nook, as well as other devices, and shop at both sites as well as others).
Does this mean that Goodreads authors will be shuffled off to some obscure corner of the forums like on Amazon with its paltry "Meet Our Authors" forum that no reader dares enter even if they could find it.The Amazon forums are very unfriendly to authors. I would hate to see the same thing happen here.
Kimberly wrote: "I would rather have to Opt IN to have purchases added to my Goodreads list-me too! I don't want every purchase I make being visible to the entire world.
Good for you for selling. Out. The best part of GR to me is the ability to leave just star ratings (not text). Please don't take that away.
Does anyone use booklikes.com? Is it similar to Goodreads? That smug picture above does not bode well for the integrity of this site.
Happy for the Goodreads team - nice to see your excellence recognized and rewarded.However, a little sad for myself. Similar to when Flickr was purchased (or Delicious or MyBlogLog). A wonderful site, wonderful community .. and now may be subject to the whims of a large corporation who is keen on preserving the bottom line. Let alone all of the other issues raised by Goodreads members here regarding privacy, data ownership, open standards, etc.
When Amazon acquired Zappos there were much more comprehensive posts and details about how this would impact the community. Everything in this post is vague and not particularly helpful.
However, an interview with Otis and Russ from Amazon was just posted - http://paidcontent.org/2013/03/28/fir...
In it they address a number of the concerns raised. If I were Goodreads and Amazon, I would be plastering this everywhere - to give your community some sense that you are listening and that you intend to "do no harm".
Disappointment for millions of users. It's an odd feeling, becoming a number in the system. Sadly, there is no tingling sensation, just a swirl in the pit of my stomach.
So sad about this. In a time when independent and brick and mortar bookstores need more support, this platform has now been compromised for them and the rest of us. I won't be continuing with Goodreads, and it makes me sad -- it's a great site, a great community, but I want to support my local booksellers and not Amazon. But thank you for all the great things you've done all these years -- I've truly enjoyed it. Best wishes.
Wish I could post anonymously so I could say what I really think.
By far, the majority of GR members, that posted, are dissatisfied about the association with Amazon. Please include me in that list. Will be looking for an alternative website.
Though I'd like to read more about Amazon's plans, I'm not initially excited by this at all. Goodreads had built, in large part to the efforts of its content providers, reviewers, and "librarians," a unique space in bookselling -- a neutral ground that allowed users to use the site much like they would an independent library where they were ultimately able to decide from whom they sought for the books themselves. Amazon's history has been proprietary where it has not been flat-out predatory. I don't shop there for books or ebooks, I don't see them as being particularly concerned about publishing, authors' rights, community involvement, or user services except for when those policies benefit them directly. They refused to adopt the ePUB, an international standard for ebook publishing, and, as others have said, were only very recently friendly to public library services that used ePUBs.
I enjoy the community and content of Goodreads like I do few other sites, but handing it over to a monstrous, megalithic beast like Amazon seems, with as much detail as we know about it, an effort that spoils the purpose of Goodreads: to focus on the content instead of the commerce.
I'm more than a little heartbroken by this news.
The photo of Otis & Elizabeth looks like they just won the Lottery. Oh, actually they did just win the lottery. They must be stinking rich now.
Kristen wrote: "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!!!! "
Agree. I really want to know if the site policies change. I'm also worried about epub integration and reviewing books I bought on my local book shop.
Agree. I really want to know if the site policies change. I'm also worried about epub integration and reviewing books I bought on my local book shop.
Terry wrote: "Sad news for Nook owners. Kindle is becoming 'generic' for e-book reader, which is so not good."Terry, I have a Sony Reader and a Kobo, and I'm sick and tired of people looking at it and saying "oh, my [relative] has a Kindle too!" They are e-readers, NOT Kindles. I wouldn't accept a Kindle as a present - I value my privacy too much for a start, along with all the other things I said in my last post. When people say I have a Kindle, I correct them on every opportunity, but I fear it's too late to stop that becoming the 'generic' for e-reader, and it makes me furious.
Wendyb wrote: "This is extremely disappointing. Goodreads is where I've always gone to find honest reviews without the kind of padding that is done on Amazon by paid reviewers and author's friends. Amazon is sin..."Exactly.
I am hoping that book data will be more complete,as in covers and so on. as for the kindle intergration, get goodreads up to speed on whispersync so pages are automatically updated as well as currently reading books and read books, placing my purchases directly into my shelves in the purchased format, paper or kindle. the decision could go either way and we will see but I wont be giving up on goodreads. here is hoping this is a good move.
Time for a new site to be started using Kickstart.
Feature: An "add to amazon wishlist" button would be appreciated on book pages as well as an "add to cart button"
Anne wrote: "I'm an amazon customer and certainly don't hate the company and I am happy that people who took the initiative to put goodreads together are being rewarded financially. That said, this news strike..."I agree Anne. Some of the main things I love about goodreads are the completely honest reviews and not being pushed to buy something. I really hope that I will still be able to come here and get an honest rating and review. Please Goodreads! Don't let Amazon take over.
Not something I wanted to hear either. I too would have paid a fee to help if monetary aid was needed. I'm very cautious when dealing with Amazon. Definitely do not want to rely on a Kindle, or Amazon telling me what I can or can't read.
I enjoy Goodreads because it has the reputation for being fair and unbiased, at least from what I've heard and experienced.
Really sad to hear this, and wish it was not a decision you had chosen.
Nikki wrote: "*checks date*F***. It's not April Fool's Day. This is real!?"
That was my first reaction too
I am quite disappointed by this acquisition. I need a long think about whether I wish to continue to participate on this site. I'm so tired of Amazon and their draconian policies. Amazon is in the business of selling books, which is contrary to this site which was for readers. I'm a reader, who does the best they can to avoid Amazon. This is a fabulous way of alienating part of your membership.
My trepidation stems from living in the Seattle area and witnessing the lack of community giving that comes from Amazon. The Seattle Times did a big story on this last year. It's a real disappointment. I am very worried about Goodreads and am deeply saddened.
Catherine wrote: "Feature Request: When I buy a book on Amazon I'd like it to automatically get added to my to read or reading shelf (unless I click a box to not post it, which I would do if it was something like a ..."That'd be an awesome feature!
Question: Amazon recently removed a large number of reviews for books not purchased through Amazon. Will the Goodreads policy on reviews now follow these Amazon requirements?For instance, if I pick up a book at a garage sale and find it review worthy, will I be able to post that review even though I did not purchase the book from Amazon?
I feel like I'm witnessing the slow death of something great. While I'm happy that the site is successful enough that the creators can benefit from their hard work, I'm sad that they've chosen to work with a company like Amazon who is so unfriendly to reviewers and authors.
Goodreads has been one of my favorite sites but I now find myself questioning whether or not I want to stay. I will be keeping a close eye on how privacy and other policies are affected.
Stan wrote: "Time for a new site to be started using Kickstart."I like that idea. Perhaps a new site might also be more welcoming to the concept of building-in accessibility from the ground up, where with GR any users with impairments - and some of us are very prolific, like Nikki - are all but ignored when we attempt to bring it up.
I'm iffy on the news. Hope what Goodreads is saying is true and that it is not changed. I don't want my reviews on Amazon. Amazon in general is a company I do like, I have a membership and buy much from them. I don't want the book site to become a change to cater toward Amazon sales.At least it was not bought out completely, correct? What is the percentage of the partnership?
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.Between the lines it says: Goodreads can shove more MOBI ebooks down your throats and stifle competition from ePub sellers like Sony and Barnes and Noble and Google.
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.
Between the lines it says: "Thanks to you we will support Amazon to further monopolize the ebook market."
3. Amazon supports us continuing to grow our vision as an independent entity, under the Goodreads brand and with our unique culture.
Between the lines it says: "Amazon gave us permission to be who we want to be." Or in other words, "So far they haven't told us what they want to change about the site."
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.
"Screw you guys, I'm rich, bitch!"
As per my post on your Facebook page (which has double digit likes against what I said) can you please give the readers the option as to whether they want to share their review with Amazon. I am very anti Amazon - and Kindle - and very supportive of my local bookselling industry here in Australia. By linking up with Amazon you have compromised what I stand for and I DO NOT WISH TO HAVE ANYTHING I WRITE ON THE GOODREADS SITE SHARED WITH A COMPANY *I DO NOT SUPPORT *. Please give us the option to OPT-OUT of sharing with Amazon. I am sooooo disappointed and angry about the position you have put me in - I enjoy my Goodreads experience very much - and I don't want to be forced to leave something I have been supportive of and dedicated to. Thank you for your consideration.
A little reflexion. Any site that users will migrate too because they are not happy would get bought out in the end if it gets traction.Everything is converging towards the big companies wanting to control everything on the net. Be it Google who axed Google Reader as a way to entice bloggers to move to Google+ or Amazon buying Goodreads, these companies want to control the datastream as much as possible.
I always felt that the best approach is to have your own little space online and to collaborate with fellow bloggers/publishers. Anyway, all the works that was put here (reviews, etc.) is direct money for the owners of this site and now Amazon. As another poster said, free labor.
I have taken to adding books that I find and want to read to my Amazon wish list because I want to keep track of them but don't like adding them to GR because it ups the number of books I have and I find that misleading. Do I use Amazon? Yes, quite a lot because all the local independent bookstores have gone out of business where I live. But I am not happy with their unwillingness to give back to the community. And I would NOT want my reviews posted on Amazon.
I haven't read any of the other comments or gone to the Feedback group yet, but I so wish we'd been given the paid membership option. One of the best things about Goodreads has been its independence. I'm very sad.
Bye, bye goodreads.Anyone have an alternative? Maybe the SmallDemons team will add shelves.
Marjorie wrote: "FEATURE REQUEST FOR AUTHORS (1 of 2)When a user shelves a book on Goodreads as "Wants to Read" please do two things:
1) add it to their Amazon Wish List automatically
2) send them an email if/w..."
REQUEST FROM READERS: Do NOT automatically add books from Goodreads To Read to Amazon Wishlist.
This has been discussed before the merger -- most users DO NOT use the To Read shelf as a wishlist. Many use it as "I already own it and it's on a pile to read". Some use it as a "Consider if I want to buy it" list. So PLEASE DO NOT TREAT IT AS A WISHLIST.
Oh dear. So Amazon continues its journey towards total monopoly of the book business. But well done, founders - no doubt you're really rich now and that's all that matters isn't it?
Let me be clear - if you and Amazon start sharing my reviews or any other information about me without my permission I will remove my accounts from both sites. They might own you - they don't own me.
Peter, have you ever looked at some people's to read shelves?? they must have gigantic night stands!
Sara wrote: "How do I cancel my GoodReads account?"
How do I cancel my account?
To cancel your account on Goodreads, select edit profile from the drop-down list next to your picture in the header. Select the "settings" tab. Then select the "delete my account" link at the bottom of the page. Your account data, books, and friend list will be permanently erased.
How do I cancel my account?
To cancel your account on Goodreads, select edit profile from the drop-down list next to your picture in the header. Select the "settings" tab. Then select the "delete my account" link at the bottom of the page. Your account data, books, and friend list will be permanently erased.
This is unfortunate. I used and recommended this site partially because it was not owned by Amazon. I guess that's done now. Also, now that the site is owned by Amazon, I would expect people to be compensated for updating the database. Why would I volunteer as a librarian for Amazon, a business that kills independent bookstores?
MaryAnn wrote: I agree with you! You know not everyone can afford a Kindle. A true reader likes the feel of a book in their hands."
MaryAnn, I find that last sentence quite offensive. I am a "true reader"; I have thousands of books both paper and digital, and I taught myself to read before I was three years old.
I mostly read on an e-reader because I have a disabling condition that causes my fingers to dislocate when I turn the page of a paper book, and because I read so quickly that taking my Reader out with me saves me a great deal of back pain too. Your statement effectively says that people who don't - or can't! - read paper books aren't true readers. If that isn't what you intended to say, I for one (and I know I'm not alone) would welcome an apology for that implication. Even more so if you did mean it that way.
Jacquie wrote: "for me, I would like to be able to post one review and have it go to both sites"I totally agree. I am often asked by Amazon to rate my purchases, and having already done a Goodreads review, I'm not inclined to go do another. I'd love to sync those up.
Agreed!