World, Writing, Wealth discussion
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How many reviews is enough?
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Eldon wrote: "Just curious on the group's opinion. How many reviews does a book need before you'll take a chance on it? How many reviews before you'll download it for free? Is the number different between the tw..."It doesn't need any before I'll take a chance on it. Where I use reviews is if I'm in the market for some kind of non-fiction, and then it's not as much the number of stars as the actual review comments. I usually have a purpose in mind in that case, and I look to the review comments to steer me in the direction of my purpose. Most of my reading is to learn about something, or expand my thinking or world view; a little of it is for entertainment or just to relax in the evening.
If it's a book I'm interested in purchasing five or six reviews is enough although I look at the quality of the review as much as the content. If the book is free I don't really care ha ha.
None for me. I've even provided books with their first reviews once or twice. I always glance at the reviews, but they don't always steer me away from the book. Generally, if I'm clicking on a book link, chances are I've already decided on getting it. It mostly depends on the synopsis and how much it grabs me.
Alexander wrote: "None for me. I've even provided books with their first reviews once or twice. I always glance at the reviews, but they don't always steer me away from the book. Generally, if I'm clicking on a book..."I'm pretty much the same way Alexander :)
Eldon wrote: "Alexander wrote: "None for me. I've even provided books with their first reviews once or twice. I always glance at the reviews, but they don't always steer me away from the book. Generally, if I'm ..."Cheers.
I think the only way reviews could sway me away from a book is when there are multiple complaints about REALLY poor editing or (my personal favourite) when the book is clearly cut up into tiny volumes despite originally being one book so that the author can make more money. I avoid those altogether.
Alexander wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Alexander wrote: "None for me. I've even provided books with their first reviews once or twice. I always glance at the reviews, but they don't always steer me away from the book. Gene..."I haven't come across one of those yet; can't see why anyone would think that would be a good idea.
Eldon wrote: "Alexander wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Alexander wrote: "None for me. I've even provided books with their first reviews once or twice. I always glance at the reviews, but they don't always steer me away f..."Neither can I, but they do it anyway.
People are weird. LOL.
Eldon wrote: "Just curious on the group's opinion. How many reviews does a book need before you'll take a chance on it?"As Tara said, it can depend on the quality of the review. To add on to that idea, any negative review that is entirely about the reviewer's personal preference, without any valid argument as to why the story didn't work, I tend to ignore.
It also depends on how long the book has been available; sometimes readers don't automatically "get" what an author is trying to do, so a new book with only one fervently passionate review in support of it may still be a book worth reading.
I usually rely on recommendations and rarely search books by checking reviews. However, I think the more the better. The sheer amount of reviews makes an impression of a 'popular' book.If I were relying on reviews, I think controversial attitude of readers, i.e. Lots of high and low stars may be as appealing as just many fives. I think to keep the book trendy it's worthwhile to have a new review coming every month or so...
Nik wrote: "However, I think the more the better. The sheer amount of reviews makes an impression of a 'popular' book."This is how I look at reviews as well. I dont necessary judge a book by its reviews but I look to see how popular it is, and then if it seems interesting to me.
As a variation on this question.Apparently you need 20+ reviews on Amazon to begin to kick in algorithms in to your favor.
You need 30+ ratings on Goodreads for GR to notice you.
I don't look at the number of reviews or ratings - I preview the book and if I like the writing I'll go further.
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "As a variation on this question.Apparently you need 20+ reviews on Amazon to begin to kick in algorithms in to your favor.
You need 30+ ratings on Goodreads for GR to notice you."
ah, interesting. is this common knowledge and i'm just out of the loop? (which is entirely possible) or do you have a vetted source?
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "As a variation on this question.Apparently you need 20+ reviews on Amazon to begin to kick in algorithms in to your favor.
You need 30+ ratings on Goodreads for GR to notice you."
What happens when Goodreads notices you?
Hi AlexThe 20+ Amazon reviews info is on this group - somewhere....?
I was checking out some stats around my account which were not making sense and I got an email back from GR support and they said that if you have
Our developers have recently been fine-tuning the way reviews, ratings and to-read shelf additions are displayed in order to improve site performance, and simplify the Community Reviews section of the book page. For the time being, unless you have fewer than 30 ratings and reviews, you won't see "to-reads" listed individually under the Community Reviews header – just ratings and reviews....
The thing is, my TBR for ASA is currently frozen at 480, even though "Total books added" has risen to 569...
Clearly the stats are a mess, but I don't know if the lack of refresh of the TBR is due to having less than 30 ratings, or is a genuine bug, probably the latter.
Frankly - I can't be stuffed - too much else on my plate to chase defects in GRs website...
Personally I try not to read reviews before hand to avoid any potential spoilers. I have begun to look at the rating details on a macro level to get an overall view of how the book has been received. Still though, if I find it interesting I'm not sure a slew of bad ratings would keep me from taking a chance...