Why does Amazon delete legit reviews??

[Hitomi]

How often does this happen and how many authors are affected by this? It's so annoying - reviews are so important (especially for indie authors), and they always seem to delete good ones. Does anyone have secret solution to this or do we just have to deal with this cruelty?

[Brian]

this actually just happened to me about a week ago. I received a review one day, and about a day later it was gone. The only thing I can say is, the reading of the review was a bit less than my average, although it was three stars and not bad, and the review had some hyperbole in it... Fully capitalized words, exclamation marks, etc.

[Brian]

*rating

[L.C.]

They try to delete reviews from people who don't use Amazon frequently or who don't have a verified purchase of the book. Its their way of trying to stop authors from swapping reviews or getting bias reviews.
I agree, it's very annoying and aggravating, especially since they have no way of knowing if the person who reviewed it got a free copy for an honest review, but it is what it is. I also hope there's a way to prevent it :(

[Brian]

there's also the on-and-off $50 rule. occasionally, they'll remove reviews from people who haven't spent at least $50 at Amazon as a way of controlling review swapping and paid reviews.

[Hitomi]

Brian wrote: "this actually just happened to me about a week ago. I received a review one day, and about a day later it was gone. The only thing I can say is, the reading of the review was a bit less than my ave..."

At least it was a 3-star review! :O They tend to remove 5-star ones from mine. :(

[Hitomi]

L.C. wrote: "They try to delete reviews from people who don't use Amazon frequently or who don't have a verified purchase of the book. Its their way of trying to stop authors from swapping reviews or getting bi..."

:(

[Hitomi]

Brian wrote: "there's also the on-and-off $50 rule. occasionally, they'll remove reviews from people who haven't spent at least $50 at Amazon as a way of controlling review swapping and paid reviews."

I thought you couldn't even post a review to begin with if you haven't spent $50 on Amazon. In any case, what they do sometimes isn't fair.

[Paula]

I received a review from an Amazon Hall of Fame reviewer. Amazon deleted it! How do you explain that one?

[Hitomi]

Paula wrote: "I received a review from an Amazon Hall of Fame reviewer. Amazon deleted it! How do you explain that one?"

That's just pure tragedy...

[Paula]

Hitomi wrote: "Paula wrote: "I received a review from an Amazon Hall of Fame reviewer. Amazon deleted it! How do you explain that one?"

That's just pure tragedy..."

Isn't it, just?!

[Theresa]

Amazon has unveiled new guidelines for reviews. I heard some of these targeted their own reviewers because of cutthroat tactics to be the top Reviewer.

I found this article. Maybe it can shed some light for authors, esp Indies.
http://annerallen.com/2016/10/amazons...

[Sarah]

Thanks a lot Theresa. Its very useful :-)

[Eugenia]

They deleted 2 of my 5 star reviews from verified purchasers! I have so few reviews as it is! So annoying!

[Cadence]

My book is very new The Passing, and I haven't received any reviews that I've seen. But I am curious, do you get a notification at all or are you expected to just see it on the product page?

[Eugenia]

Cadence wrote: "My book is very new The Passing, and I haven't received any reviews that I've seen. But I am curious, do you get a notification at all or are you expected to just see it on the prod..."

You don't get a notification (at least I don't). I just on on amazon once in a while to check.

[Cadence]

Oh no. Well, this is interesting news. Thank you for letting me know Eugenia!

[Cathy]

I offered free copies to a lot of book bloggers in exchange for honest reviews. One girl replied to me that she appreciated it, but that she bought it instead because she knows how tough it is for us. I'm pretty sure it was a 4-star review she left with quite a lengthy review. It was listed as a "verified purchase" for a while and then Amazon decided to remove that. I know this girl bought the book. She knew the story and I never gave it to her. The review wasn't removed, just the "verified purchase" status. Sometimes Amazon makes zero sense.

[Simi]

I got to keep in mind whenever I'm selling my books. Thanks for letting us know.

[Theresa]

Sarah wrote: "Thanks a lot Theresa. Its very useful :-)"

You are welcome Sarah. It doesn't explain all the madness, but I figure any insight can help.

[Jim]

Many book sellers monitor authors' promotional activities closely. Any author that routinely offers some incentive such as a free copy of the book, a gift card, money, or promise of reciprocation in exchange for a review merits particular scrutiny. Any review that is suspected of having been solicited may be removed.

The reason for such caution lies in the fact that many novice authors are unaware of the fact that a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires any review received in return for some incentive as described in the previous paragraph must include a disclaimer clearly stating so. Since many fail to do so, either out of ignorance or choice, some reviews receive particular scrutiny and are removed as a result of an abundance of caution.

Keep in mind that sales drive reviews not the other way around. Some will be positive, some will be negative. All reviews are merely subjective opinions. One reader's Best book ever! may very well be another reader's Worst book ever! It is far more productive and satisfying to focus more upon striving to continuously improve writing and promotional skills rather than reviews.

[C.]

I've sold lots of books at signings to people I don't know. Does that mean they can't review it on Amazon?

[Hitomi]

C. wrote: "I've sold lots of books at signings to people I don't know. Does that mean they can't review it on Amazon?"

It's crazy if you start thinking about it, right?

[Hitomi]

Jim wrote: "Many book sellers monitor authors' promotional activities closely. Any author that routinely offers some incentive such as a free copy of the book, a gift card, money, or promise of reciprocation i..."

Good point, though if you were to choose one of two books written by unknown authors, you'd choose the one with more / better reviews, right?
But yes, you're right - we should focus more on improving writing and promotional skills. Because after all, logical or not, fair or unfair, Amazon is doing it, and sadly there seems to be nothing we can do about it.

[Hitomi]

Theresa wrote: "Amazon has unveiled new guidelines for reviews. I heard some of these targeted their own reviewers because of cutthroat tactics to be the top Reviewer.

I found this article. Maybe it can shed some..."

Very helpful. Thanks!

[C.]

Smh...

[Theresa]

C. wrote: "I've sold lots of books at signings to people I don't know. Does that mean they can't review it on Amazon?"

In all likelihood, they can review it as long as they've met Amazon's $50 dollar purchase requirement before they do so. They just won't be recorded as verified purchases.