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GraceKrispy · 07-13-2011, 04:37 PM

I recently looked up a book (indie) on Amazon and was amazed to see a pile of 5 star reviews (since I didn't think it was even close to 5 stars). Looking more closely, I realized that every 5 star review was from a fellow author who hocked his or her own book at the bottom of the review (one -liner). Further investigating, I realized that all of the reviews written by these other authors were 5 star books, hocking their own book at that bottom each time. Is this an author "you-pat-my-back-(with 5 stars)-I'll pat-yours" ring? In looking up some of the original author's other books, I'm seeing the same pattern.

Is this like the thing to do? I know Amazon reviews (and actually any reviews, anywhere) have to be taken with a grain of salt or a whisper of caution or whatever, but it's really irritating to see the level of "fake reviewing" going on. It's not that it's difficult to believe several people might have a different take on a book I've read, but if the author has reviewed about 10 other indie books, given each one 5 stars, hocked her book in the bottom line of each review... it starts to look like marketing, eh?

07-13-2011, 04:37 PM	#1
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	Authors patting each other's backs... I recently looked up a book (indie) on Amazon and was amazed to see a pile of 5 star reviews (since I didn't think it was even close to 5 stars). Looking more closely, I realized that every 5 star review was from a fellow author who hocked his or her own book at the bottom of the review (one -liner). Further investigating, I realized that all of the reviews written by these other authors were 5 star books, hocking their own book at that bottom each time. Is this an author "you-pat-my-back-(with 5 stars)-I'll pat-yours" ring? In looking up some of the original author's other books, I'm seeing the same pattern. Is this like the thing to do? I know Amazon reviews (and actually any reviews, anywhere) have to be taken with a grain of salt or a whisper of caution or whatever, but it's really irritating to see the level of "fake reviewing" going on. It's not that it's difficult to believe several people might have a different take on a book I've read, but if the author has reviewed about 10 other indie books, given each one 5 stars, hocked her book in the bottom line of each review... it starts to look like marketing, eh?