Book Review Rates

Leaving book reviews on Amazon matters far more than most readers realize. A thoughtful review—whether it’s one sentence or a few paragraphs—signals to Amazon’s algorithm that a book is alive, relevant, and worth showing to more potential readers. Reviews build trust for hesitant buyers, offering valuable affirmation. They also help authors understand what resonated, what surprised readers, and what lingered after the last page. For independent authors especially, reviews are the lifeblood that determine visibility, credibility, and long‑term discoverability. In a very real way, every review becomes part of a book’s momentum, helping it reach the readers who need it.

Yet review statistics are dismal. The estimated review rate on Amazon is 1-2%. This means for every 100 books sold, only 1-2 reviews are likely to appear. A book with 50 reviews might have sold around 2,500-5,000 copies.

Why is the review rate so low? Research shows that most Amazon shoppers read the reviews, but very few will write one. Please don't be one of those. I write a review on every book I read or listen to, and I encourage you to do the same. It takes only a minute, and it means so much to both the authors and potential readers.

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