At Book Review HQ, we value the integrity and authenticity of reviews. To help maintain a trustworthy environment, it’s important to follow some basic review etiquette and understand the guidelines established by platforms like Amazon. By following these principles it ensures your reviews are respected and impactful.

 

Honest, Unbiased and Respectful Feedback

Above all, be honest in your review. Whether your experience was positive or negative, constructive criticism helps authors improve and gives readers realistic expectations. Avoid personal attacks and focus on providing helpful insights.

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Avoid Incentives for Reviews

Offering compensation for reviews is strictly against Amazon’s policies. This includes any form of payment, gifts, or services in exchange for positive feedback. The only exception is Advance Review Copies (ARCs), which can be shared before a book's release. However, even with ARCs, the review must be voluntary and free from influence.

 

Focus on Verified Reviews

Verified reviews, written by those who have purchased the book directly through Amazon, (or who have downloaded it during the free promotion days) carry more weight and contribute to the book's ranking in a meaningful way. Unverified reviews, where the reviewer did not make a purchase, can sometimes be flagged or removed if Amazon detects potential bias. 

 

Respect Boundaries on Who Can Review

To maintain fairness, avoid asking close friends or family to leave reviews, as Amazon’s system can detect these connections. Reviews from people with close ties to the author may be removed to prevent biased feedback. Similarly, authors cannot review their own books.

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By following these guidelines, you contribute to a more genuine and trustworthy review community, benefitting both authors and readers alike.

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Please go to Amazon Customer Review Creation Guidelines for more information regarding reviews.

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Happy reviewing!