Advice for Ethical Requests of Amazon Reviews?

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by meeera

That's not necessarily the smart thing anymore, apparently - Amazon has tightened review acceptances, and people have had their reviews rejected because Amazon have decided that a gift certificate means that author & reviewer have a "personal connection".

You know--I hear this on the KDP forums, etc., but I've never heard anyone who's had this happen first-hand; it's all anecdotal--the 'friend of a friend' type of reporting. Has this happened to you, personally?

Hitch

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Hitch

You know--I hear this on the KDP forums, etc., but I've never heard anyone who's had this happen first-hand; it's all anecdotal--the 'friend of a friend' type of reporting. Has this happened to you, personally?

No, I don't review on Amazon.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by meeera

No, I don't review on Amazon.

Well, there are authors here, presumably, so hopefully, if anyone has actually had this happen TO them, either as an author or a reviewer--and Amazon's TOLD them that this is why a review was removed (as opposed to the rampant speculating that goes on), we'll be told about it.

Hitch

[Lima Bean]

There are lots of bloggers out there who are willing to review indie books. They usually have a page explaining what genres they read, how to contact them, and the format they prefer. In my experience, most reviewers want digital copies, which is good because unlike physical books, sending them out doesn't cost anything. However, bloggers are swamped with requests. Expect a low percentage of takers, so don't get discouraged if it takes a while to get any bites. A Google search is a good place to begin looking for indie reviewers.

Here is a place you can go to find bloggers who review books:

http://www.theindieview.com/indie-reviewers/

Another way to find reviewers is by sending out physical copies of your book through Goodreads Giveaway program. It's going to cost you the price of the book and postage though. Recipients aren't obligated to review your book, but many of them do. I suggest getting familiar with Goodreads in general.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/program

Another way to give away copies of your book is through Library Thing. Unlike Goodreads, you can give away digital copies so it doesn't have to cost you a dime. You can specify in the giveaway that the free copy is in exchange for a review. Even so, be warned, the rate of recipients who actually leave reviews is low. I'd guess about 20 percent. Still, it's an easy and free way to get a few reviews, so it's worth it to me.

https://www.librarything.com/home

Note: The instruction for a giveaway are hard to find on LibraryThing. Look at the bottom of the page for Early Reviewers. Then at the top of that page, click on Member Giveaway .

That's my advice for finding reviewers. I hope it helps.

Oh, BTW, in reply to the comments about Amazon Gifts . . . I have gifted copies of my books to numerous reviewers. Amazon did not remove the reviews. However, and this is very important to note, gifted copies DO NOT show up as VERIFIED PURCHASES. Neither do copies borrowed through KINDLE UNLIMITED. A lot of people are unaware of this, but I discovered it through lots of firsthand experience. So there really is no added value in sending out a book as an Amazon Gift over simply emailing the PDF, mobi or EPUB file yourself.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Lima Bean

There are lots of bloggers out there who are willing to review indie books. They usually have a page explaining what genres they read, how to contact them, and the format they prefer. In my experience, most reviewers want digital copies, which is good because unlike physical books, sending them out doesn't cost anything. However, bloggers are swamped with requests. Expect a low percentage of takers, so don't get discouraged if it takes a while to get any bites. A Google search is a good place to begin looking for indie reviewers.

Here is a place you can go to find bloggers who review books:

http://www.theindieview.com/indie-reviewers/

Another way to find reviewers is by sending out physical copies of your book through Goodreads Giveaway program. It's going to cost you the price of the book and postage though. Recipients aren't obligated to review your book, but many of them do. I suggest getting familiar with Goodreads in general.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/program

Another way to give away copies of your book is through Library Thing. Unlike Goodreads, you can give away digital copies so it doesn't have to cost you a dime. You can specify in the giveaway that the free copy is in exchange for a review. Even so, be warned, the rate of recipients who actually leave reviews is low. I'd guess about 20 percent. Still, it's an easy and free way to get a few reviews, so it's worth it to me.

https://www.librarything.com/home

Note: The instruction for a giveaway are hard to find on LibraryThing. Look at the bottom of the page for Early Reviewers. Then at the top of that page, click on Member Giveaway .

That's my advice for finding reviewers. I hope it helps.

Oh, BTW, in reply to the comments about Amazon Gifts . . . I have gifted copies of my books to numerous reviewers. Amazon did not remove the reviews. However, and this is very important to note, gifted copies DO NOT show up as VERIFIED PURCHASES. Neither do copies borrowed through KINDLE UNLIMITED. A lot of people are unaware of this, but I discovered it through lots of firsthand experience. So there really is no added value in sending out a book as an Amazon Gift over simply emailing the PDF, mobi or EPUB file yourself.

If that's right--about the purchases--then something else is occurring. You gifted them when they were actual paid purchases, right? (As opposed to free days?). I ask because when I review books that I've received as gifts--and redeemed them in the usual way--it shows up as a verified purchase. And no, before anyone asks, these aren't reviews for clients, Indy authors, etc. These happen to be reviews of books on my Xmas wishlists for which I receive gift certs, for THAT specific book, which I've redeemed on Amazon.

Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I would point out that, for example, Amazon Top Reviewers get book review requests ALL the time. They have the option to not make their emails public; one can only assume that the fact that they don't choose that means that they are making themselves effectively available to those seeking reviews. They're under no obligation, presumably, to accept a free book, (or a gift book), or to review same, or for that matter, give it a good review.

Now, here's my perspective on this: in the 90's, when the Web was young and not really GUI, I was a paid professional reviewer of books. No, not on Amazon; for a webzine. Most of my fellow reviewers took the books that they read and then resold them. I didn't do this myself, (I donated them to the local lending library--I could afford that back then), but, I do know, for example, that at MBR (Midwest Book Review) the reviewers do indeed want physical books, because part of what they consider their compensation (MBR reviewers of print books are not paid) is the resale of the books, above and beyond the pleasure of reading the book in the first place. That's why MBR started charging for reviewing eBooks--none of the reviewers would accept them, because they couldn't resell them. (Important note!).

Thus, I think it's hard to say that if Author X writes a book and then goes to all the trouble of finding 100 reviewers that reviewed books like his/hers, and liked books in his genre, and books that are (arguably) similar to his book, and emails them--is that really spam? Let's assume that John Doe, book reviewer, is actually reviewing books and then reselling them, as part of his income. Wouldn't he WANT contacts from willing book authors? It's not like the old days, when you were paid (now, paid reviewing is EVIL. It's mind-boggling to me that this has occurred; that the people who CAN competently review books, no longer MAY review books, because the Vox Populi has decided that somehow, professional reviewing=bad).

That's not the same thing as someone emailing an MR member out of the blue, asking if they want to do X or buy Y or whatever. And, FWIW, I get asked for "favors"--what are effectively donations of my own time--ALL the time here on MR, in PM's. All sorts of things, assessments, reviews (of software), etc. I've never reported anyone to a MOD, for heaven's sake (for that). I agree, letting it go free here would be bad, but...y'know, there's a fine line here.

And I don't think emailing book review blogs/people is spam. If someone says that they are a commercial reviewer, whether paid or unpaid, as a blogger or an "Amazon Top Reviewer," and they have their email in the public view, they are, to me, obviously seeking books. Does that seem nuts? That seems logical to me.

Vis-a-vis free books, etc.: the smart thing would be to GIFT the book. I know that there's a lot of kerfuffle about this out there, but you can GIFT the book, via Amazon, to the reviewer. Now, they can turn right around and use that $0.99 or $2.99 or whatever for something ELSE, if they choose--they are under zero obligation to buy YOUR book. BUT, assuming that they're remotely honest, and they do, the book then shows up as a "verified purchase," rather than an arbitrary review. Offered FWIW.

Hitch

Hi. An author and I checked out the gifted book as a verified purchase. For good or bad, those books do not show as a verified purchase and are also in a separate section in "manage my content and devices".
The only way to get the verified purchase tag would be to send the reviewer a gift card and then have them buy the book. (Not sure on the legality of this idea. )

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Hitch

If that's right--about the purchases--then something else is occurring. You gifted them when they were actual paid purchases, right? (As opposed to free days?). I ask because when I review books that I've received as gifts--and redeemed them in the usual way--it shows up as a verified purchase. And no, before anyone asks, these aren't reviews for clients, Indy authors, etc. These happen to be reviews of books on my Xmas wishlists for which I receive gift certs, for THAT specific book, which I've redeemed on Amazon.

Hitch

Did the gift certificate link to the specific book? Also e-book or p-book?

[Lima Bean]

Originally Posted by Hitch

If that's right--about the purchases--then something else is occurring. You gifted them when they were actual paid purchases, right? (As opposed to free days?). I ask because when I review books that I've received as gifts--and redeemed them in the usual way--it shows up as a verified purchase. And no, before anyone asks, these aren't reviews for clients, Indy authors, etc. These happen to be reviews of books on my Xmas wishlists for which I receive gift certs, for THAT specific book, which I've redeemed on Amazon.

Hitch

Nothing else is occurring. My latest book has never been offered for FREE on Amazon, yet the reviewers who received gifted copies didn't get the Verified Purchase label. Maybe your experience was a fluke or Amazon's policies have changed.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Lima Bean

Nothing else is occurring. My latest book has never been offered for FREE on Amazon, yet the reviewers who received gifted copies didn't get the Verified Purchase label. Maybe your experience was a fluke or Amazon's policies have changed.

Howdy:

OK, so: you went to the book Amazon page, and you explicitly gifted them the book--and no "verified purchase" for those reviews? That is really weird. I've reviewed a book fairly recently that I received for my anniversary--May--and that review is showing up as a verified purchase.

I wonder if it has to do with HOW they redeem the gift? I know that that sounds silly, but...I can't think of why else it would be different. (I wonder if...is it now because it's a GIFT, no matter who does the reviewing?)

That's just...peculiar.

Hitch

[ApK]

Dr. Drib, I think your definition of spam is incorrect, and your position unfair. I have to wonder if the forum owner agrees with you.

[Hitch]

Lima:

When I go to look at something that's been gifted to ME, it shows up as a purchase, as in "you purchased this item on X." And from that point, the process goes as normal, including a verified purchase on the review. I just don't understand why anyone you would gift with the book wouldn't--(and don't blow up when I say this), UNLESS they aren't actually redeeming the book. That's the only answer I can think of. Doesn't reflect on you--it reflects on them. Can you tell, by reading their reviews, if they DID read the entire book?

Hitch

[Lima Bean]

Yes, it's clear they read the entire book. See Cinisajoy's post above. If I'm reading her correctly, she is saying the same thing I am.

A lot of authors and readers alike assume a gifted book will show up as verified, because even if it wasn't the reviewer who purchased the book, someone paid for it. That's why you will find a lot of erroneous information about it on blogs and forums like this one. In addition, some claim there's a box the gift recipient can check or uncheck to give or take away verified status. If this mysterious box exists, unverified must be the default, because none of mine have come up verified. That's something I've been meaning to look into, so if anyone has any firsthand knowledge of said box, I'd be interested to know!

If you got a Verified Purchase from a book you gifted out, count yourself lucky. However, I am quite certain that is not what is happening on my end. Whether you choose to believe me or not, that's up to you.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Lima Bean

Yes, it's clear they read the entire book. See Cinisajoy's post above. If I'm reading her correctly, she is saying the same thing I am.

A lot of authors and readers alike assume a gifted book will show up as verified, because even if it wasn't the reviewer who purchased the book, someone paid for it. That's why you will find a lot of erroneous information about it on blogs and forums like this one. In addition, some claim there's a box the gift recipient can check or uncheck to give or take away verified status. If this mysterious box exists, unverified must be the default, because none of mine have come up verified. That's something I've been meaning to look into, so if anyone has any firsthand knowledge of said box, I'd be interested to know!

If you got a Verified Purchase from a book you gifted out, count yourself lucky. However, I am quite certain that is not what is happening on my end. Whether you choose to believe me or not, that's up to you.

You've misunderstood what I said, and, based upon your ultimate sentence, you've patently misunderstood the intent of my questions.

I said that books that I've been gifted, by OTHER people, (even from as far back as, say, four years), show up as verified purchases when I review them. Some are simply regular gifts, and some are from authors. I didn't say I was an author, or that I was gifting books out for review, or anything like that.

I'm trying to understand the mechanism, and how Amazon could possibly be differentiating between books that have been gifted to me, for example, versus books that you've gifted to someone else. I suppose that it's conceivable that they've written an algorithm that simply discards any review written by any person that received a gift of a book directly from a publisher. On the other hand, I've absolutely been gifted books by authors, and my reviews show up as verified purchases. So, I have to wonder how it is that Amazon is making those distinctions--that's ALL I am trying to understand. And I am specifically endeavoring to understand it BECAUSE there's all this damn drivel on the Net, half of it utterly wrong. I see what I see, and what I know to be factually true. You tell me something that is directly opposite. I have no reason to disbelieve you--that's why I'm trying to understand, to parse, HOW Amazon is doing what it's doing. Don't take it as some personal attack. It's a quest for information and knowledge. PERIOD.

Hitch

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Hi. An author and I checked out the gifted book as a verified purchase. For good or bad, those books do not show as a verified purchase and are also in a separate section in "manage my content and devices".
The only way to get the verified purchase tag would be to send the reviewer a gift card and then have them buy the book. (Not sure on the legality of this idea. )

This is, essentially, how the gifting works. You go to Amazon's book page, the same web page that anybody else would see, and you buy the book as a gift for someone. You input their email address, etc. Amazon sends them a notification, via email, that they've been gifted a book. (This is the same as gifting them anything else that they click on, rather than receive in a box.) Inside that email is a link that they click to "redeem this gift." They go to Amazon and click to buy the book. It's nothing BUT a gift certificate. I know this because a) I've gifted books and b) I've received gifted books. That's how it works.

The recipient can also click the link and NOT redeem the gift certificate for the book for which it was intended. They could buy something else with it. It's really nothing but an Amazon gift certificate, when all is said and done.

The books that I receive as gifts show up in my purchases list.

If someone sends me a book via EMAIL, however--an email directly to my Kindle, then, yes, of course, it's only in "manage my content and devices." That's exactly what happens if you were to send someone a book via their Kindle email, OR, if you sent it to them directly, as a MOBI file, and they sideload it to their Kindle. But if you send them an actual gift certificate-book, using the "Give as a Gift" button (beneath the free sample box), it's redeemed. That's the difference.

Hitch

[Hitch]

FYI:

If anyone cares, I just reviewed a book I'd received as a gift, and the review shows up as a verified purchase. Now, I redeemed this in the correct way, so perhaps that's the way that it distinguishes.

The only way I can see to really TEST this would be for me to ask some clients to send me gift copies of their books, and then for me to review them. The problem with that is that, of course, we have a relationship with the client; we have a"pecuniary interest," in that we've done paid work for them. (Even though we have zero interest in how the book itself does; we're producers, not publishers.) This means that if I review their books, I would be violating Amazon's T&C. The other books that I've received from OTHER authors have not had issues, as we've not done work for those clients. I mean, Amazon wouldn't know, but I would, and I don't do unethical.

Hmph. I'm going to have to cogitate on this. I want to know, because I'm really tired of seeing this line about "you can't gift books to people..." around, as in my experience, it's not quite accurate.

Hitch