Amazon Reviews Query

[Allan]

Hi everyone, over the last year or so, I have been fortunate enough to garner some unsolicited reviews from fellow authors participating in some of the same groups I am in. I would like to read and provide an honest review on their books in return, because I feel it is the right thing to do. My concern is that if amazon is aware an author has reviewed my book and I have reviewed theirs, they may take the reviews down, or worse, cancel accounts in the belief there is something dodgy going on. Has anyone done this before without issue? Is it a bad idea? I like to help fellow indies, but I don't want to lose reviews or jeopardise anyone's accounts. Your thoughts and experiences would be welcome.

[Haru]

You can't do something that looks like a review swap. Sorry.
I have never done it, and I certainly wouldn't risk it.

[Allan]

Hi Haru, I believe you have confirmed the answer to my question. I would not do a review swap, but it would look like one... and I don't want to risk that. Thanks.

[Haru]

No problem. There's always a way to repay people anyway. Look for another way. I'm sure those authors will appreciate the sentiment if they know this.

[Anna]

Having made cyber friends through Goodreads and therefore chatted to other readers and authors, we have all bought and read books, chosen because we like the look of them and some of these books are the others authors' work. This is just 'one of those things'.

Having said that, Amazon have become over excited about spotting review swaps and I now mostly still buy the books I want to buy but only rarely leave a review.

I think it's right that Amazon weed out review swaps, but not so good that they weed out coincidences.

[Allan]

I agree Anna, amazon have become a little excited. I totally understand why they do it though. A case of a few bad apples spoiling the barrel.

[Emmanuelle]

Being overzealous cause now the problem that they just stop people from reviewing. Which is bad for authors in general anyway.
As Anna said, we all have read books from authors around here. It is one of the reason for site like that too.

Anyway, you may try to find those authors on other site and leave reviews. Or here on goodreads. You can also speak about those books around, in your blog or on any media you use.

[Janell]

I believe now the person leaving a review must have spent 50 bucks on amazon, or they can’t leave a review not matter what.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

That's true, Janell.

[Jody]

Perhaps review other authors from those groups, not just the ones that reviewed your books? If lots of folks participated in this sort of pay-it-forward scheme, everyone could benefit and amz would have no reason to get its knickers in a twist.

[Allan]

Plenty of good advice here, thanks everyone.

[D.]

There are other ways you can help those authors. You can promote their books on social media or to your readers in an email if you have an email list.

[Kaylee]

I write reviews here on GoodReads. I find that Goodreads has a larger audience for reviews. I appreciate Amazon reviews on my work, but the restrictions are a little tight there. Unless it's a verified purchase (which means book signings don't count) there is always a risk for reviews to be flagged or taken down. Too much of this and I believe you are at risk for getting reviews at all? I'm not too clear on the gray area, but I have heard of this happening to other authors.

So, if I've bought it on Amazon and they ask for reviews, I review. If I'm getting it through another source, I review on Goodreads or one of my review sites like Online Book Club. Then, I try to post the links to one review or the other on either of those sites.

I find that it's actually more popular for people to read my reviews on GoodReads than it is on any other platform.

[B.A.]

If you are a verified purchaser of a book and spend a lot of money on Amazon, you're reviews are seldom taken down. Also, I have discovered that if you get a variety of books, be they free or ones you pay for, there is seldom an issue. If I receive and ARC, I say that and that I'm reviewing without coercion. Also, you don't want to leave all 5 star reviews. That makes your reviews suspect. When I get a book which is on Amazon and it is poorly done or edited, I'll not give them a good rating and say why. Just some food for thought there.

[Tomas, Wandering dreamer]

As a reader, I pay more attention to reviews on GR than Amazon. First, it seems GR is more aimed (and built) for that and it's more user-friendly (people can like reviews and have a different approach to them). Second, Amazon reviews are likely one-way only so if you review a book from an author you share the genre with, it's likely that he/she won't be able to review yours (even with verified purchase) because of a potential reviews swap.

Hence, my approach is that I always write reviews on GR and my blog but only sporadically on Amazon (the few cases last time were when the author asked me for it - once was on GR through PM, the other was through my blog, I believe).

I've probably mentioned it already somewhere: when Amazon sends me the weekly (or so) book tips and some catches my eye, I'll look it up on GR first and foremost. Of course, it's my personal approach and different people might have different decision process for choosing a book.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Marc wrote: "well if anyone wants "

Review swaps are not allowed on Amazon, Goodreads, and not to be discussed here.

[Nat]

I've had some of my reviews for friends/fellow authors removed and others have stayed up. Not sure what triggers what. But I will still review if I've read it. Not in a swap situation, but because I wanted to read the book.

I've had friends whose reviews by facebook followers, because the readers were fans, removed by amazon. It's hit or miss.