Why Amazon Reviews Matter

Why are Amazon book reviews important to writers selling on the global marketplace leader's website? Beyond the obvious answer of helping prospective buyers decide if the novel is right for them, there are several other lesser-know critical reasons.

For example, many of the online promotional sites where authors advertise their books (like BookBub, etc.) require a minimum number of Amazon reviews (or star ratings) before they will accept the book. This is a tough hurdle for new releases that don’t have many (or any) Amazon reviews. This Catch-22 means you need Amazon reviews to market your books, but how do you get Amazon reviews before you are able promote your novel?

In addition, Amazon’s algorithm factors in customer reviews when deciding to include a product in search results and recommendation lists. Books with more reviews are more likely to be promoted by Amazon’s algorithm, which can help the book reach a wider audience. 

More reviews (even negative ones) provide the book with clout to potential customers. The greater number of reviews provides product legitimacy, showing an interested customer a variety of other reader’s opinions. A prospective reader can easily be skeptical of few excellent reviews, but there is strength in numbers. 

Reader feedback is important to authors to gauge both the strong and weak parts of their writing. Without impartial reviews, an author can become apathetic and disillusioned, often finding it difficult to continue writing. Sales are a legitimate, undeniable factor in determining a book’s success, but nothing beats a written review from an actual reader.

I’m currently at this crossroads with my latest fantasy novel Plea to a Frozen God, patiently waiting for Amazon reviews to trickle in from advanced readers so I can begin advertising in earnest. So, if you’ve read one of my books, new or old, I’d greatly appreciate an honest review, or even a star rating on Amazon. It would make my day. Thank you in advance!