Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Am I wrong?

This will be probably one of my shorter posts. I am well known for rambling. To be honest, since this news piece aired, I've questioned it.

I went to reviewmeta.com and checked them out. I looked at how they 'analyzed' data.

And here's what is troubling...

Book Friends pay careful attention.

The criteria on ReviewMeta for grading a review as "Fail" or "Warn" can be influenced by the percentage of verified purchases.  Verified purchases being those items bought then reviewed.

In full disclosure, I do buy the majority of ARCs I receive, BUT NOT SOLELY ON AMAZON. There are other eRetailers I purchase from such as iBooks, Nook and Kobo. I'm am - or was - allowed to leave these editorial reviews on Amazon. Not now...

But Karen you say, Amazon according to Community Standards says:

"Book authors and publishers may continue to provide free or discounted copies of their books to readers, as long as the author or publisher does not require a review in exchange or attempt to influence the review."

Well, check my email and bank account. Because not ONCE has someone paid me or used any other influence to make my review what it is. I am a PICKY consumer and that includes Advanced Reader Copies. I know what I like, and sorry Amazon, I will be review what I like to read.

Based on Amazon's Community Standards, these 'free' copies of ARCs are allowed.

Now I bring into question Amazon's polices and policing that disallow or remove reviewers based on 'analytics' from companies such as ReviewMeta that CLEARLY do not account for this standard.

Am I wrong? Right now where I am standing, no.

Did I jump to conclusions? Possibly. But when Amazon REFUSES to support their reasons with clear transparency, I am allowed my jump.

Okay visit, read and form your opinion: GMA story on Fake Amazon Reviews




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