Table of Contents
A comprehensive guide on how to get book reviews ethically and effectively. Learn pre-launch and post-launch strategies to build social proof for your book.
You finished it. You bled onto the page, wrestled with your plot, and finally typed THE END. Now your book is out in the world, met with the soul-crushing sound of… silence. No sales notifications. No fan mail. And worst of all, no reviews. Let’s get one thing straight: in the digital marketplace, a book without reviews is a ghost. It's invisible. Reviews are the currency of social proof, the engine of algorithmic visibility, and the single most powerful tool you have for convincing a stranger to take a chance on your story. The problem is, most advice on how to get book reviews boils down to 'ask nicely' or, worse, suggests tactics that could get your book—and your account—banned. This is not that kind of guide. This is a blueprint for building a sustainable, ethical review-generating machine. We're going to cover how to get the right kind of reviews, at the right time, without selling your soul or begging in your author newsletter.
The Foundation: Why Reviews Are Your Book’s Lifeblood
Before we dive into the "how," let's hammer home the "why." Too many authors see reviews as a vanity metric. They aren't. They are a core business asset. In today's crowded market, with millions of books published annually, reviews are what separate your book from the digital slush pile. Think of it from a reader's perspective. They land on your Amazon page. They see a great cover and a killer blurb, but zero reviews.
The immediate, subconscious thought is: Is something wrong with it? Am I the guinea pig?
A lack of reviews creates friction and doubt. Even a handful of reviews signals that other people have read and validated the book, drastically lowering the barrier to purchase.
This isn't just psychology; it's algorithmic reality. Online retailers like Amazon use review count and velocity as key ranking factors. A steady stream of new reviews tells the algorithm that your book is relevant and engaging, prompting it to show your book to more potential readers. Industry analyses consistently show that products with higher review counts convert better and rank higher. Furthermore, many of the most powerful book marketing services, like BookBub, have minimum review requirements. BookBub's partner guidelines often state a preference for books with a significant number of positive reviews, making them a gatekeeper to a massive audience.
There are two main types of reviews to focus on:
- Customer Reviews: These are posted by everyday readers on retail sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, and community sites like Goodreads. These are the backbone of your social proof. They are what most people mean when they talk about how to get book reviews.
- Editorial Reviews: These are professional, long-form reviews from established sources like Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, or respected book bloggers. These provide a different kind of authority and can be quoted in your book's description and marketing materials. While valuable, they are a different beast and often require a significant financial or time investment. For most indie authors, customer reviews are the primary battleground.
Understanding this foundation is critical. You're not just collecting gold stars; you're building a platform of trust and visibility that directly impacts your book's long-term success. According to a consumer survey by BrightLocal, 42% of consumers say they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Your goal is to build that trust, one ethical review at a time.
The Pre-Launch Hustle: Building Your ARC Team and Review Engine
The single most effective way to get book reviews is to get them before your book is even for sale. Launching with a handful of reviews already live on day one is the holy grail. It kickstarts the algorithm and provides instant social proof for early buyers. This is achieved through Advanced Reader Copies, or ARCs. An ARC is a nearly-finished version of your book (it should be fully edited and proofread) that you send to a select group of readers for free in exchange for an honest review, to be posted on or shortly after launch day.
Step 1: Assembling Your ARC Team
Your ARC team (sometimes called a "street team") is your volunteer army. These are not random strangers; they should be genuine fans of you and your genre. So, where do you find them?
- Your Email List: This is your #1 source. These people have already opted in to hear from you. They are your warmest audience. Send an email a month or two before launch, calling for applications. Don't just accept everyone; use a Google Form to screen applicants. Ask them what genres they enjoy, where they post reviews, and if they understand the commitment. This weeds out the unserious and ensures you get reliable reviewers. Building a quality email list is a prerequisite for this entire strategy.
- Social Media: Put out a call on your author Facebook page, Instagram, or TikTok. Create a shareable graphic. Again, link to an application form. Don't just post "Want a free book?" Frame it as an exclusive opportunity to be part of your inner circle.
- Back Matter of Your Other Books: If you have a backlist, this is gold. Add a page at the end of your books inviting readers to join your ARC team for future releases. The people who finish your book and want more are your ideal candidates.
Step 2: Managing the ARC Process
Once you have your team (aim for 20-100 people, depending on your goals), the process needs to be seamless. The easier you make it for them, the higher your review rate will be.
- Distribution: Use a service like BookFunnel or StoryOrigin. These platforms handle the secure delivery of your e-book file in whatever format the reader needs (mobi, epub, PDF) and provide tech support. This saves you from an avalanche of "I can't open the file" emails.
- Communication: Create a separate email list or a private Facebook group just for your ARC team. Send them a welcome email with clear instructions: the launch date, the links to the retail pages (once live), and a gentle reminder that their honest review is the goal. Send a reminder one week before launch, on launch day, and one week after launch. Don't hound them, but do follow up.
- What to Include: In your ARC distribution email, provide the book file, the blurb, and some pre-written, easy-to-copy-paste text like "I received a free copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily." This helps with Amazon's disclosure requirements.
Step 3: Using Professional Review Platforms
If you're starting from scratch with no audience, building an ARC team is tough. This is where paid platforms can be a strategic investment.
- NetGalley: This is the industry standard, used by major publishers. It's expensive for individual authors, but can get your book in front of thousands of librarians, booksellers, and dedicated reviewers. It lends an air of professionalism but doesn't guarantee reviews. The quality of reviewers is generally high.
- Booksprout: A more affordable and indie-friendly alternative to NetGalley. You post your book, set a number of desired reviews, and reviewers claim a copy. The platform automates the follow-up process, which is a huge time-saver. It's an excellent way to get more book reviews quickly, especially for a new release.
The key is to start this process 4-6 weeks before your launch date. A successful ARC campaign is the difference between a launch that sizzles and one that fizzles.
The Post-Launch Grind: How to Keep the Reviews Coming
Launch day has passed, your ARC reviews are in, but the work isn't over. A book that got 20 reviews in its first week and then none for six months looks stale to both readers and algorithms. You need a long-term, evergreen strategy for how to get book reviews continuously.
The Simplest Tool: Your Book's Back Matter
This is the most passive, powerful, and criminally under-utilized tool in an author's arsenal. At the very end of your book, after "THE END," you must have a page that politely asks for a review. A surprising number of readers are happy to leave a review but simply don't think of it. You just need to plant the seed.
Don't be needy or desperate. A simple, professional request works best. Something like:
Thank you for reading!
Reviews are the lifeblood of indie authors and help other readers find their next favorite book. If you enjoyed this story, please consider taking a moment to leave a brief, honest review on the site where you purchased it.
[Direct Link to Your Amazon Review Page]
[Direct Link to Your Goodreads Page]
Make it as easy as possible. Use direct links that take the reader straight to the review submission form. Reducing the number of clicks required to complete an action significantly increases conversion rates. The same principle applies here. Forcing a reader to go to Amazon, search for your book, find the review section, and then click 'write a review' is asking too much. A one-click link is essential.
Leverage Your Email List (The Right Way)
Your email list isn't just for your ARC team. A week or two after launch, you can send a broadcast to your entire list. But don't just beg. Frame it as part of the book's journey. Share some early positive feedback, talk about your launch week experience, and then make the ask.
Bad Email: "Please, please, please review my book! I need reviews!"
Good Email: "It's been an incredible launch week for [Book Title], and I'm so grateful for everyone who has dived into the story. The feedback has been amazing, with readers calling it '[Quote a snippet from a real review].' If you've had a chance to read it, I would be so grateful if you could share your thoughts in a review. It makes a huge difference for authors like me."
This approach reinforces social proof while making the reader feel like part of a successful community, rather than being asked to do a chore. Effective email marketing hinges on a clear, compelling call-to-action, and in this case, the CTA is softened by a narrative of gratitude and success.
Reaching Out to Book Bloggers and Influencers
This is a high-effort, high-reward strategy. A single review from a popular book blogger or Bookstagrammer can be more valuable than a dozen anonymous Amazon reviews. But you cannot spam them.
- Do Your Research: Find influencers who actually review your specific sub-genre. Pitching your epic fantasy to a cozy mystery blogger is a waste of everyone's time. Read their review policy. Many have it clearly posted on their blog. If they say they are closed to review requests, respect that.
- Personalize Your Pitch: Never send a form letter. Address them by name. Mention a recent review of theirs that you enjoyed. Show them you've done your homework. A McKinsey report on personalization highlights that consumers are far more likely to engage with personalized communication.
- Make it Easy to Say Yes: Your pitch email should be short and professional. Include the cover, blurb, genre, and any trigger warnings. Offer the book in their preferred format (Mobi, ePub, or even a physical copy if your budget allows). Don't attach the file to the first email; wait for them to accept.
This is a numbers game. You might send 50 personalized pitches to get 5 responses. But those 5 can be incredibly impactful for your book's long-term discoverability.
The 'Don't You Dare' List: How to Get Reviews Without Getting Banned
The desperation for reviews can lead authors down some dark paths. Let me be your cynical guide and tell you in no uncertain terms: do not do these things. The short-term gain is never worth the long-term risk to your career.
Buying Reviews & Review Swaps
Let's be crystal clear: paying for a customer review on Amazon or Goodreads is a cardinal sin. This is different from paying for an editorial review from a service like Kirkus, which is a legitimate industry practice. Buying reviews from Fiverr or other shady services is a direct violation of Amazon's Community Guidelines. Their algorithms are sophisticated. They can detect patterns of inorganic reviews, often tracing them back to the source. The consequences can range from having the reviews deleted to having your book de-listed or your entire KDP account terminated. It's career suicide.
Review swaps, where authors agree to exchange positive reviews, are just as bad. This falls under the category of 'manipulating reviews' and is also a violation of terms of service. It might seem harmless, but it's a house of cards. A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guide for marketers makes it plain that undisclosed paid endorsements are deceptive. While you may not be paying with cash, the reciprocal promise is a form of compensation.
Using Friends and Family
It's tempting to ask your mom, your cousin, and your best friend to leave a five-star review. Don't. Amazon's algorithm is designed to identify and block reviews from people it deems to have a close personal relationship with the author. It analyzes shared addresses, linked accounts, purchase history, and even IP addresses. At best, their review will simply fail to post. At worst, it can flag your account for manipulative behavior. While their support is wonderful, their reviews can do more harm than good. Thank them for their encouragement and ask them to spread the word to their friends instead.
Responding to Negative Reviews
Sooner or later, it will happen. You'll get a one-star review. It will feel like a personal attack. Your first instinct will be to charge into the comments section and defend your literary baby. Fight this urge with every fiber of your being.
Do not, under any circumstances, engage with a negative reviewer.
There is no scenario where this ends well for you. You will not change their mind. You will not look like a passionate artist defending your work. You will look unprofessional, thin-skinned, and unstable. The internet is littered with cautionary tales of authors whose careers were damaged by public meltdowns over bad reviews. It becomes a story in itself, and you are always the villain. A bad review is just one person's opinion. A public fight is a permanent stain on your professional reputation. Let it go. The only time to act is if a review contains hate speech or personal threats, in which case you should report it to the platform, not respond to it.