To post a book review on Amazon, open your order, choose “Write a review,” add a star rating, short title, text, and submit.
Posting a thoughtful book review helps readers pick their next read and helps authors learn what worked. This guide walks you through the process on desktop and the mobile app, explains eligibility rules, and shares tips to keep your review visible. You’ll also find a quick map of where the “Write a review” link lives and a troubleshooting section for common hiccups.
Where To Find The “Write A Review” Button
You can start from your past orders, from the product page, or from the email Amazon sometimes sends after delivery. The table below shows the paths and what each path allows.
| Path | Where You’ll See It | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Orders (Desktop) | Accounts & Lists → Your Orders → “Write a product review” | Rate, add title/text, attach photos or short video |
| Orders (Mobile App) | ≡ Menu → Orders → the book → “Write a product review” | Same as desktop with a touch-friendly editor |
| Product Page | Scroll to Ratings section → “Write a customer review” | Review a book you bought on Amazon or elsewhere |
| Delivery Email | Post-purchase email link (if sent) | Jumps straight to the review form |
Step-By-Step On Desktop
- Sign in at Amazon on your browser.
- Open Your Orders, locate the book, and click Write a product review.
- Choose a star rating (1–5). Stars summarize your take at a glance.
- Add a short review title. Think of this like a headline that signals your angle, such as “Great pacing, thin ending.”
- Write your review in the text box. Aim for two to five short paragraphs that cover what you liked, what didn’t land, and who would enjoy the book.
- Attach photos or a short clip if helpful (e.g., a photo of the print edition’s font size).
- Click Submit. Your review may take a little time to appear while systems check it.
Posting From The Amazon App
The mobile app mirrors the browser steps with a cleaner editor for phones. Here’s the quick flow:
- Open the app, tap the profile icon or ≡, then Orders.
- Find the book, tap Write a product review.
- Pick a star rating, add a title, write your text, attach media if you’d like, then submit.
Posting A Book Review On Amazon: Quick Setup And Rules
Before you write, check two items so your review publishes without delays:
- Eligibility threshold: Amazon requires at least $50 in purchases on the account in the past 12 months to post ratings or reviews. That spend must be on a valid credit or debit card. See the help page under Customer Reviews and Ratings for the current rule.
- Content standards: Reviews must follow the site’s Community Guidelines. No ad pitches, no personal info, and no mature content outside policy. Amazon also bans attempts to boost or suppress ratings through incentives; see the Anti-Manipulation Policy.
If you bought the book on Amazon, your review can show as “Verified Purchase,” which carries extra trust for shoppers. You can still review books purchased elsewhere; those appear as unverified reviews.
What To Say In A Clear, Helpful Book Review
A reader scans reviews for signal. Keep yours tight and concrete. A simple structure works:
- Hook: One-line takeaway. Example: “Character-driven thriller with a soft middle.”
- Three specifics: Mention pacing, voice, plot twists, world-building, research depth, editing quality, or print layout.
- Who it’s for: Name a reader type or mood that fits the book.
- Any caveats: Note triggers, heavy jargon, or cliffhangers without spoiling key reveals.
Keep spoilers behind a warning line. On Kindle titles, avoid copying long passages; a short quote is fine if it supports a point and you keep it brief.
Formatting Tips That Boost Clarity
- Paragraphs: Two to five short paragraphs read well on phones.
- Headlines: A sharp title guides skimmers. Use plain words, not hype.
- Tone: Neutral and direct. Share concrete impressions over general praise.
- Media: A photo of a print page can help buyers who care about font size or paper tone.
Rules That Keep Your Review Live
Policy conflicts can lead to removal or account limits. These common pitfalls trip people up:
- Incentives or compensation: No gift cards, rebates, discounts, or refunds in exchange for a review. Amazon treats such ties as manipulation under the Anti-Manipulation Policy.
- Conflicts of interest: Don’t review books by family, close contacts, or where you have a financial tie.
- Off-topic content: Keep feedback about order issues or shipping to seller feedback, not product reviews.
- External links and promos: Avoid calls to action that send readers off Amazon; the Community Guidelines limit this.
Desktop Walkthrough With Extra Detail
Here’s a fuller view if you’re at a laptop:
- Go to Your Orders, open the book’s order card, and click Write a product review.
- On the review page, set the star rating. Stars weigh heavily for shoppers using filters.
- Add a short, descriptive title. Good: “Fresh take on cozy mystery tropes.”
- Write the body. Aim for 120–250 words. Cover a few craft elements, mention any content warnings, and say who will enjoy it.
- Toggle Public name from your profile if you want a pen name to show.
- Attach optional media, preview, then hit Submit.
Mobile Walkthrough With Extra Detail
If you read on Kindle or Audible and shop on your phone, this path is speedy:
- Open the app, tap ≡, then Orders. Search by title if you have a long list.
- Tap the book, then Write a product review.
- Slide to select stars, add a pithy title, write two to four paragraphs, and submit.
Make Your Review Useful For The Right Readers
The most helpful reviews answer buyer questions fast. Use the checklist under each theme below to keep things crisp.
Story And Pacing
- Does the opening hook land?
- Any sagging chapters?
- Do subplots pay off?
Characters And Voice
- Believable dialogue?
- Clear arcs for leads?
- POV shifts handled cleanly?
World-Building And Research
- Rules stay consistent?
- Research feels accurate where the genre demands it?
- Jargon kept in check?
Format And Design
- Typos or layout issues?
- Large-print readability?
- Audiobook narration notes?
Verified Purchase Versus Unverified Review
A review tied to an Amazon purchase often shows a Verified Purchase badge. That badge can lift trust from readers scanning the list. If you read a library copy or bought from a bookstore, you can still share a review. Keep it specific; mention format if relevant (hardcover vs. Kindle). The review form is the same either way.
When Your Review Doesn’t Appear
If your review doesn’t show up, start with the two fastest checks: spend threshold and content rules. The next table summarizes symptoms and fixes.
| Issue | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| $50 Threshold Not Met | Message about minimum eligibility | Complete purchases to reach the threshold; see Customer Reviews and Ratings |
| Policy Conflict | Review removed or never posts | Revise to meet the Community Guidelines |
| Wrong Channel | Complaints about shipping inside product review | Move shipping or seller issues to Seller Feedback on the order |
| Account Name Issue | Public name not what you want | Open your profile → Edit public name → resubmit if needed |
| Media Upload Problem | Photo/video won’t attach | Resize or compress; submit text first, add media later via edit |
Editing Or Deleting A Review Later
You can change your text after posting. Open your profile, find the review, and pick Edit review or Delete. If a moderator removed the review over a policy conflict, rewrite and submit again once it meets the rules.
Star Ratings And What They Signal
Stars shape first impressions. A quick, consistent scale helps other readers understand your take:
- 5 stars: Strong recommend with minor or no caveats.
- 4 stars: Recommend with a few trade-offs.
- 3 stars: Mixed bag; parts work, parts don’t.
- 2 stars: Limited appeal; issues outweigh strengths.
- 1 star: Not a match for most readers.
Tips For A Review That Stays Up
- Write from direct experience with the book.
- Stick to the book’s content and quality; skip seller or shipping notes.
- Disclose relationships when relevant, and avoid reviewing close contacts.
- Keep language civil and free of slurs or personal attacks.
- Skip outbound promo links; they can trigger removal under the site rules.
Quick Template You Can Reuse
Copy, tweak, and post. Short and helpful beats long and vague:
Title: Sharp Mystery With A Clever Reveal Review: Tight opening, empathetic lead, and a twist that fits the clues. Middle chapters drag a bit. Clean prose, few typos. Fans of puzzles and cozy settings will enjoy this. Content: mild peril; no gore.
When You Received A Free Or Discounted Copy
Many readers get advance copies at no charge. You can still post a review if it’s unbiased and meets site rules. Keep your language free of promo hooks and avoid merchant links. Amazon bans reviews given in exchange for cash, rebates, or gifts; that falls under the Anti-Manipulation Policy.
Safety And Legal Notes Worth Knowing
The site moderates fake or coordinated ratings and removes content that violates law or targets protected groups. If you spot abuse, use the report link on the review card. For writing guidance in plain language, the help page on Submitting a Review covers the basics.
Final Tips Before You Post
- Keep it specific: mention pacing, plot threads, or research where it matters.
- Keep it short: 120–250 words land well on mobile.
- Add a quick reader match: “Great for fans of small-town dramas” or “Best if you love hard sci-fi puzzles.”
- Preview before you submit so typos don’t distract from your points.
That’s it. You now know where to start, what rules apply, and how to write a sharp, helpful take that serves readers and survives moderation. Happy reviewing.