You can ask readers for honest reviews and give them free advance copies, but you can't pay for reviews, require them, or try to steer them. Amazon's Community Guidelines also bar reviews from people with a financial or personal connection to the author, and reviews that were exchanged for compensation of any kind.
Amazon can change its rules, so treat this article as a plain-English summary and check Amazon's Community Guidelines for the current wording. This is general information, not legal advice.
You can ask people who've read your book to leave a review. The important word is honest: reviewers must be free to say whatever they think and give whatever rating they choose. A polite note at the back of your book, on your website, and in your newsletter is fine.
Amazon allows readers to review free advance copies of books from authors or publishers. The condition is that the author can't require a review in exchange for the free book and can't try to influence the reviewer's opinion. See What Is an ARC?
Reviewers should be free to say they didn't like the book, and to not review it at all. It's also good practice to ask reviewers to disclose that they received a free copy.
Vine is Amazon's own program, and it's the sanctioned way for reviewers to receive free products in exchange for reviews. Reviews from Vine are labeled as such. Availability and fees for books can change, so check your Kindle Direct Publishing dashboard to see what's offered for your title.
A professional review from an outside reviewer can go in the editorial reviews section of your book's page, which authors can manage through Amazon's author tools (Author Central). That's separate from the customer reviews section. See Professional vs. ARC vs. Editorial Reviews.
Amazon prohibits creating, editing, or removing a review in exchange for compensation. Compensation is defined broadly and includes payments, refunds, discounts, products, gift cards, and services. Accepting free products or compensation directly from sellers in exchange for reviews is prohibited, with the exception of Vine.
That covers "review for gift card" offers, paying for reviews through gig sites, and offering a refund in exchange for changing or removing a negative review.
You can ask for a review, but you can't make it a condition of getting a free copy, and you can't ask for only positive reviews or try to influence the rating.
Amazon doesn't allow reviews from people with a financial or personal connection to the product, which in practice means you, your family, and close friends. Reviews from these people may be removed.
Trading reviews with other authors ("you review mine, I'll review yours") is widely treated as a conflict of interest and is not allowed. Industry guides consistently list swaps among prohibited practices, so avoid them.
Creating fake reviewer accounts, or paying others to create them, is a serious violation that can lead to removed reviews and account action. It can also violate FTC rules that took effect in October 2024. See Are Paid Book Reviews Legitimate?
Even if a reader loves your book, they may not be able to review it on Amazon. Industry guides report that Amazon requires reviewers to have spent a minimum amount on the site in the past year (commonly cited as $50), and that reviews on Amazon can only be posted on or after publication day. That's why ARC readers often post on Goodreads, blogs, or other sites too.
Amazon says violations can lead to content being removed, limits on community features, removal of related products, account suspension or termination, and withheld payments. Even well-meaning authors can lose reviews by misunderstanding the rules, so it's worth being careful.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Ask readers for honest reviews | Ask for positive reviews only |
| Send free ARCs with no strings attached | Require a review in exchange for a free copy |
| Ask ARC readers to disclose the free copy | Offer payments, gift cards, discounts, or refunds |
| Use a professional review as an editorial review | Have friends and family post reviews |
| Use reputable services that only connect you with reviewers | Swap reviews with other authors |
| Keep improving the book | Use fake accounts or buy reviews |
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You can give readers free advance copies and ask for honest reviews, but you can't require a review or influence what the reader says. Reviews that are exchanged for compensation are not allowed.
Amazon doesn't allow reviews from people with a financial or personal connection to the author, so these reviews may be removed.
Yes. Ask for honest reviews, never positive ones, and don't offer anything in return.
It depends on the service. Services that connect you with reviewers and don't pay them or dictate their opinions are acceptable. Avoid any that guarantee positive reviews or pay for reviews.
Vine is Amazon's own program for providing free products to trusted reviewers. Reviews are labeled as Vine reviews.