Which do you think sells more books?

[GlenBarrington]

A positive review by a reader on Amazon. Or one here?

I can see arguments on both sides. Mobileread dosen't have the audience that Amazon has, but its users seem more focused and willing to spend $$$. I never know what to do when I encounter a book that deserves a little word-of-mouth praise.

Sometimes I post the same review in both places, sometimes with minor changes, but that feels like cheating.

[Difflugia]

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

A positive review by a reader on Amazon. Or one here?

I can see arguments on both sides. Mobileread dosen't have the audience that Amazon has, but its users seem more focused and willing to spend $$$. I never know what to do when I encounter a book that deserves a little word-of-mouth praise.

I'd bet the one on Amazon sells more, but sales directed from Mobileread probably shouldn't be sneezed at. Both of your reasons seem sound to me and aren't contradictory.

Sometimes I post the same review in both places, sometimes with minor changes, but that feels like cheating.

Why does that feel like cheating? Unless you're posting the review for some form of compensation (making it a work for hire), I can't think of a good reason to only post your review in one place. Some websites expect reviews to be unique to their site, but my understanding is that's to avoid authors or their agents spamming around good reviews for their own books.

[Ravensknight]

I think it depends on where YOU, the reviewer, have more followers. A positive review from a complete stranger does very little for me. I put a lot more weight on reviews of people that I know, even if barely...

[mcrow]

I think that the most popular review on Amazon sells more than most any review on here but only because of the massive volume of traffic the first review on Amazon gets.

Overall, the reviews here are much more reliable and better quality.

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

A positive review by a reader on Amazon. Or one here?

I can see arguments on both sides. Mobileread dosen't have the audience that Amazon has, but its users seem more focused and willing to spend $$$. I never know what to do when I encounter a book that deserves a little word-of-mouth praise.

Sometimes I post the same review in both places, sometimes with minor changes, but that feels like cheating.

I notice that you did not mention Goodreads reviews. For me a review here carries so much more weight than any review at Amazon, or Goodreads for that matter. It's a matter of being able to find out so much more information about someone here, including the sorts of books they like and don't like. That and when it is a MR user that I have come to "know" well . . .

[pidgeon92]

I don't read reviews on MR. On Amazon, I focus more on the negative reviews than the positive ones. If there are things in the negative reviews that I think would keep me from enjoying the book, I'm more likely to avoid it.

[pwalker8]

I tend to take negative reviews with a grain of salt. Sometime it can be pretty obvious the reviewer has an axe to grind (they think it cost too much, don't like the politics, are mad at the author, etc). Plus, it can be hard to tell if a given reviewer has the same taste as myself. I am more willing to give an unknown author a chance if it has positive reviews that sound real to me, but I tend to discount a review if the reviewer comes across as a fan boy type.

To answer the original question, I would be more likely to buy a book based on a review here if it's someone whose seems to have similar tastes as myself. It's very hard to get a similar feel for reviewers on Amazon. But overall, I suspect positive reviews on Amazon generate more sales.

[crich70]

I don't pay much attention to reviews. Siskel & Ebert sometimes gave thumbs down reviews of movies which later had sequels made and I don't imagine that books are that different in that what one reviewer didn't like others may enjoy.

[gmw]

I like the reviews here. After you spend a while here you get familiar with the regular posters, what sorts of books they like and don't, and so you get to recognise those whose tastes run similar to your own. Hence a good review from one of those is a very good indicator I might like a book. Amazon is too random and anonymous to be very reliable.

[Yapyap]

It depends on the review and the reviewer here.

Reviews/comments/opinions of friends whose general tastes I'm familiar with always have high priority - not a guarantee that I'll share their opinion about all books (most likely not), but I have friends who tend to like the same kinds of books that I do, and then there are friends with whom my taste in books is diametrically opposite, so that works, too - if they love something, I know to stay away from that.

This also goes for people on various forums - including Amazon, and Goodreads friends (and people whose reviews I've chosen to follow there): once I've got some idea about a person's general tastes, which comes from their comments on and reviews of various books I've read (i.e. when I know what they think of the books I'm familiar with), their reviews or comments are useful.

Amazon/Goodreads/other reviews from total strangers: depends entirely on the review. "I loved it! Best book ever!" or "This sucked!" from a stranger - useless. A long, thoughtful review, with examples or reasons given, either positive or negative - useful, even if I don't know the person.

[jersysman]

Since you asked which one would sell more books, I will go with the Amazon review simply based on sheer volume. Even if it is a negative review on Amazon, those would also sell more. If you would ask what I would use more to make a determination, I would say reviews on MR and other sites that I give a lot of credence.

[PurpleStar]

I would bet Amazon, since a lot more people post there.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I don't read reviews on MR. On Amazon, I focus more on the negative reviews than the positive ones. If there are things in the negative reviews that I think would keep me from enjoying the book, I'm more likely to avoid it.

That's pretty much what I do too, though in conjunction with a reasonable percentage of positive reviews to help hook me in the first place.

I'd be more likely to read a book recommended on this forum though, but for sheer numbers it'd have to be Amazon reviews that sell more books.

[Anthem]

A positive review on Amazon... or maybe somewhere like Goodreads or Librarything. But most likely at the point where the sale may occur.

[applesauce]

I find goofreads reviews the ones I look at. This is because I find it easy to check out what other books they like. If we agree on a number of the same books, it is winner winner chicken dinner.

I do find here great for books to check out on goodreads.

I also have to say that amazon recommendations books directly to my inbox. and as much as I find it creepy they tend to pick books I want to read.

applesauce