tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post6513800987627255651..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Amazon Removes ReviewsJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17145888011687162492016-06-27T05:00:57.836-05:002016-06-27T05:00:57.836-05:00Very late to the article, but, as a techie, I'...Very late to the article, but, as a techie, I'm now even more glad I don't rely upon Amazon reviews. The Amazon tech reviews are pretty useless, written by customers who don't know what computer to buy, or review written only two days after setting up the printer. Myself, I review RPG game products, so have a few RPG sites that I can submit my reviews to, and they have yet to delete any of mine. I hope you all find better review sites than Amazon to also post your reviews!aka. Washu! ^O^https://www.blogger.com/profile/10380713811429328025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86283094805202441242016-02-19T18:56:01.885-06:002016-02-19T18:56:01.885-06:00I lost all of my reviews and can no longer reviews...I lost all of my reviews and can no longer reviews. Six years of idependant authors and others removed without warning. No way to get it back simply because a friend used my computer. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07873881547105834365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8333194180102795472015-12-17T15:27:16.927-06:002015-12-17T15:27:16.927-06:00Amazon just did this to me yesterday - they delete...Amazon just did this to me yesterday - they deleted ALL of my product reviews and any book reviews as well and I asked them why and they said We have determined that you may have manipulated Customer Reviews. As a result, you may no longer post reviews on Amazon.com, and your reviews have been suppressed.<br /><br />Any attempt to manipulate ratings, feedback, or Customer Reviews is prohibited.<br /><br />I asked them for a full accounting of which reviews I "manipulated" because I never did, I get my reviews from Tomoson and I work with book companies as well - so this is hurting me a lot because I have signed up for reviews which I cannot now complete and I take a LOT of time to do my reviews. I got a second email back from the appeals email and it was the automated message the same as above. I don't know how to fight this? I have blog posts, Instagram images and other proof showing that I did not manipulate reviews - so how can they do this to people???? Erika Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15734456525900917938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35710252368797539502015-10-26T02:40:51.488-05:002015-10-26T02:40:51.488-05:00Hi I've lost three reviews so far and hope I d...Hi I've lost three reviews so far and hope I don't lose more. I know Amazon is trying to rid itself of sock puppets but maybe they should look at the one and two star reviews and see who's writing them, and go from there.olgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236563625068113647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56009341817285126872015-09-06T15:27:14.296-05:002015-09-06T15:27:14.296-05:00Until the other day, I had never heard of this new...Until the other day, I had never heard of this new Amazon policy. But I just discovered it the hard way. J.L. Pattisonhttp://www.pattisonblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35392180254221336992015-09-03T05:50:53.091-05:002015-09-03T05:50:53.091-05:00PS I have written critical reviews of books which ...PS I have written critical reviews of books which have never appeared. However, I have found that amazon.com (US operation) is more censorial than amazon.co.uk (Iam UK based and usually use the UK site) which is strange. Perhaps they have modified policy in relation to national areas? For example, you are not going to permit an atheistic critique of the Quran in Saudi Arabia because the local govt might close you down??<br /><br />SeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51318467233285172602015-09-03T05:42:56.672-05:002015-09-03T05:42:56.672-05:00Amazon is a capitalist transnational. Its raison d...Amazon is a capitalist transnational. Its raison d'etre is to maximise profit and accumulate capital. It wants reviewers to endorse the products which it sells with positive reviews so that the products will be seen favourably and sell. Critical or one-star reviews do not appear because it is a disincentive to purchase. And that means no sale and thus no profit. The economics of capital are determining the "review policy" of Amazon. Peoples' reviews are merely identified by Amazon as being intrinsic to its marketing operations. So-called "Freedom of speech" has nothing whatsoever to do with it. They don't give a monkeys about FOS. Profit is the driver.<br /><br />Sean.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41178248961092383962015-08-31T22:39:12.366-05:002015-08-31T22:39:12.366-05:00i just also lost a review I spent considerable eff...i just also lost a review I spent considerable effort writing. Ok it is amazon's site but don't you think they owe us a note when they delete a review and an opportunity to modify before I lose an hour of my life writing a long thought out reviewAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16596270249021403045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35337317610229354282015-07-10T18:10:49.108-05:002015-07-10T18:10:49.108-05:00Disproportion reactive response by Amazon. There s...Disproportion reactive response by Amazon. There should be, (neigh there is not) anything wrong with family and friends supporting – this is not about legitimate genuine and well meaning support, but about the flagrant abuse by sources who see to monitorise and sell a service to post bulk reviews. Amazon needs to take a step back and ‘review' their extreme draconian policy and differentiate and to do so now before indiscriminately taking down innocent legitimate reviews and casting totally inappropriate aspersions of authors and their families/friends.Quality Dashboardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06404792023542937289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43890222743173877102015-05-16T07:05:51.285-05:002015-05-16T07:05:51.285-05:00Not sure on the age of this thread since this blog...Not sure on the age of this thread since this blog software doesn't show dates (time to upgrade to Wordpress?). 3 years later...<br /><br />I tuned out of the drama two years ago and have felt amused by the shenanigans of late, after having finally published my first indie novel. It's doing very well so far (The Mandate of Earth). I noticed first that I can't upvote/downvote any reviews of my book. I CAN, however, post a review of a competitor in the same broad genre, but not a specific sub-genre. So, my favorable review of a colleague's sci-fi novel remains because he's doing space opera, and I'm doing hard sci-fi. That's interesting. How useful is that?<br /><br />Probably the most helpful thing Amazon has done is block reviews from any account that has not made any purchases with a unique CC. I tested this. I gifted a copy of my book to a 2nd account, with no payment options selected (so it's not my own CC linking the two), and the gift went through but the review posted by that 2nd account did not. Because, that account has no payment method of its own. That's good! That eliminates 99% of the sock puppeting right there. Except... it WAS a verified purchase. So, their system is getting smarter than it was when this article was originally posted.<br /><br />I'm not bothered by negative reviews since, in sci-fi, the average famous writer gets about 10-15% negatives. I read them looking for flaws that I can correct or improve in my writing, but never, NEVERRRRRRRRR comment on any review! That's extremely bad form and I want to be aloof. I am concerned about new developments, though. <br /><br />If the sock puppeting has ended, then it has been replaced with Amazon favoritism. I direct your attention to a new novel currently up for pre-order called (Re)volution by PJ Manney. This is an unknown indie author who appeared out of nowhere 2 weeks ago, went directly to #1 in sci-fi, and has stayed there after being singled out by Amazon as an Editor's Choice.<br /><br />Excuse me, "EDITOR"'s choice? Since when is a book store considered editorial? And, this author got preferential treatment for submitting a pre-order. Had I known that there were accolades given out to pre-order indies, I would have used it... I released when my book was finished. <br /><br />The way KDP works now is becoming tiresome and disturbing as well. The top 100 continue to INCREASE with preferential treatment (like $25,000 monthly bonuses) while everyone else is on their own. Meanwhile, the KDP KU/KOLL payments get smaller and smaller. How is it fair that EVERY book, regardless of length, receives the EXACT same $1.33 payment? Obviously, this is being gamed now as well with authors releasing episodes rather than full novels. Which Amazon had to counter again with a KDP $2.99 minimum price. (sigh). It is all just so tiresome.jsharbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06450629121140836853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76950537874102283872015-04-04T14:50:10.999-05:002015-04-04T14:50:10.999-05:00Wait, what did the actual letter that Amazon sent ...Wait, what did the actual letter that Amazon sent you say? I don't think you posted it, unless I'm missing something.<br /><br />I suspect this new automated system was in response to people becoming professional reviewers and getting free stuff, but it's hurting people who genuinely enjoy reviewing books or products. Joe Phttp://purchaseamazonreviews.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59145068562860897712014-10-27T00:52:45.179-05:002014-10-27T00:52:45.179-05:00As a new author reviews are important to me, as in...As a new author reviews are important to me, as in most cases, my first self-publication was supported by friends and relatives, these 'reviews' can be easily replicated, but losing positive comments from complete strangers was absolutely devastating to me. I copy and pasted every 'review' and then tried to follow up and thank every person involved, took some time but I seem to have fixed it.<br />Then we get the other side of the coin, out of hundreds of reviews across the various media I have only the one spiteful and vindictive comment on Amazon and no matter how many times I 'report' the offending item, it remains untouched and Amazon do not respond.<br />Leaves a bad taste that they were so swift and efficient deleting positive reviews yet won't take action on an item that contravenes Amazon's own posting rules.<br />Joe Writeson<br />www.joewriteson.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02973724551845877247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89849058568770085312014-01-27T21:17:32.758-06:002014-01-27T21:17:32.758-06:00I'm a new author, and I just discovered two of...I'm a new author, and I just discovered two of my (yes, the valuable five-star) reviews have been deleted. Is this a recent phenomenon? I'm only just discovering it myself and trying to get up to speed…argh!Patricia Sextonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79356921590031087092013-12-24T11:41:45.948-06:002013-12-24T11:41:45.948-06:00I had a one star negative (and insulting) review w...I had a one star negative (and insulting) review which remained posted for about 1 hour and then disappeared. BUT, someone I know peripherally posted a five star review, very legitimate, and it never appeared. Quite disturbing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48376842774995461892013-06-15T22:40:29.848-05:002013-06-15T22:40:29.848-05:00Thanks for this info. How does one vote for a book...Thanks for this info. How does one vote for a book on Amazon? I left a review but do not know how to vote.<br /><br />If anyone can take me through a step-by-step guide, I'd be very grateful.<br /><br />Thanks,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86759497003336163162013-05-25T15:04:26.791-05:002013-05-25T15:04:26.791-05:00I am a first time author and did, as we all did, c...I am a first time author and did, as we all did, check Amazon constantly looking to see if anyone read the book. I had three positive reviews. One from a friend, big surprise there and the other two from unknowns. They were all 4 to 5 stars and i was glowing. I looked this morning and the two unknowns were gone, but the one from my friend (5 star) as well remained. UGH! This seems a bit harsh. <br />Oh, well. You can't fight City Hall, or Amazon, or sock puppets...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86112082875527831732013-02-18T10:49:19.820-06:002013-02-18T10:49:19.820-06:00I've lost only one comment, but I need all the...I've lost only one comment, but I need all the comments I can get! On the same day I got a really bad review, I also got a really good review. Guess which one disappeared? I wrote to Amazon about it and never heard back, unsurprisingly. Disappointing.Pam Stuckyhttp://www.pamstucky.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53389478838733957242013-02-14T10:44:15.583-06:002013-02-14T10:44:15.583-06:00Since Amazon has removed legitimate 5-star reviews...Since Amazon has removed legitimate 5-star reviews of my books and has deleted tags, my sales have fallen off a cliff. I did a search and the same has been happening to many other independent authors. Some are saying that Amazon is favoring e-books put out by the traditional publishers and some are saying that there are reporting errors or glitches (otherwise, how can a book go from selling strongly for months and sudden;y grind of a near-halt overnight?).<br /><br />All complaints and questions to Amazon either go unanswreed or met with a canned PR response.<br /><br />No matter what is going on, Amazon should step up to the plate and fix what they've screwed up so badly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46113545831443442392013-02-04T07:52:41.262-06:002013-02-04T07:52:41.262-06:00Theft & fraud and “sockpuppetry” not okay… But...Theft & fraud and “sockpuppetry” not okay… But CENSORSHIP??? Part 1<br /><br /><br />Hello Joe, <br /><br />I’m new to the ebook publishing biz but almost immediately found that you were one of the top writers/best -selling authors. I’ve got much respect for what you’ve accomplished based on my research of you. Hence, I come to you for advice and help in an ugly situation. Perhaps what’s happened to me can be prevented from happening to other ebook authors starting out who may find their way to your web site/blog. <br /><br />The short version is that since I could not afford an editorial Kirkus Book Review to be used in my book promo campaign, I went with a less expensive alternative, Online Book Club owned by Scott Hughes. After taking my money and having my book reviewed by one of his reviewers (it was given a 4 out of 4 star rating), he kept the review, kept the money, stop replying to my emails and deleted my posts from his book discussion forum! And to add insult to injury, he also got his people to write and post two 1-star reviews on Amazon (just yesterday, Feb. 3). Now, why did he do all of this? Why such bizarre behavior on Mr. Hughes’ part? There’s a bit more to this story. May I send you the all the facts via a short email? My email is SpiritOfComedy@gmail.com )<br /><br />Thank you. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17881807273729729749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-69850988744597633722013-02-03T16:09:01.387-06:002013-02-03T16:09:01.387-06:00An Amazon Verified Purchase is needed to post a on...An Amazon Verified Purchase is needed to post a one to five star rating, other reviews and comments are allowed, but cannot leave stars. seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04772334429471709204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21138491789866124352013-01-30T11:42:57.397-06:002013-01-30T11:42:57.397-06:00Amazon is now removing tags in addition to deletin...Amazon is now removing tags in addition to deleting legitimate positive reviews. Let see's...what can they think of to kill the indie market?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49219737952024364642013-01-28T09:56:00.092-06:002013-01-28T09:56:00.092-06:00Amazon indiscriminately removes legitimate reviews...Amazon indiscriminately removes legitimate reviews and refuses to rectifies the situation. Amazon allows clearly fraudulent and destructive reviews (by competitors or genre haters) to remain, and refuses to do anything about. Amazon is removing tags that allow readers to find books to purchase.<br /><br />What else can they do to destroy the indie author market?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62306846147589067652013-01-24T14:23:02.580-06:002013-01-24T14:23:02.580-06:00Amazon just did the same thing to me! As a new aut...Amazon just did the same thing to me! As a new author I need all the positive reviews I can get. Amazon just removed 2 of my 4 or 5 star reviews from verified purchasers! WTF? I wrote them to try and remove a bad review from someone who hasn't even purchased the book, instead they removed 2 legit reviews. This is absolutely ridiculous. I can't believe this. Here's the link:<br />http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ANAXLAI<br />Something has got to be done about Amazons' robot rating system. Thanks!Randyhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ANAXLAInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-58768333633098996152013-01-22T22:35:34.524-06:002013-01-22T22:35:34.524-06:00"Again, I'm not trying to point fingers, ..."Again, I'm not trying to point fingers, signal anyone out, or place blame."<br /><br />Don't you mean "..., single anyone out,..."?<br /><br />And any good English scholar will know you should never start a sentence with "And..." - Duh!<br /><br />Just what kind of author are you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-90822473558323669702013-01-21T10:49:09.173-06:002013-01-21T10:49:09.173-06:00I do think that Amazon is working hard to destroy ...I do think that Amazon is working hard to destroy the independent author. Not only has it removed legitimate positive reviews (and this does hurt sales), but now I'm hearing that tags are vanishing as well (tags which help readers find books), and if a book can't be found, it doesn't sell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com