We’re happy to announce that we have clarified the request a review-type-options for listing your book in the library and added two new review options:
- Free EPUB file review (similar to the PDF reviews)
- Purchase a paper/hard back book for a verified review
What You Need To Do
If you had your book listed as “Purchase on Amazon” prior to this update you need to confirm that you had your Kindle Book Purchase price as the price for that option as we have relabeled this option as “Purchase on Kindle” to clarify what type of book you need to purchase on Amazon. If you did not have your book listed as “Purchase on Amazon” then there is nothing you need to do at this time. However, if you unpublish your book from the Library you can edit your book to add in the new “Free EPUB” and/or “Purchase a Paper Book” option. Adding more ways for reviewers to get your book can help increase the number of reviews you receive.
The Reason For The Update
This venture started out simply to help clarify the current review options. Many members, understandably, found the “Purchase on Amazon” option to be a little confusing because it did not clarify what type of book you were actually purchasing. On top of that, there was the Kindle Unlimited option which adds even more confusion into the mix. We have reworked the whole system to make it clear what type of book you need to review on Amazon while clarifying what books should be marked as “Verified Purchase” on Amazon. While we were updating this, we took a little extra time to add in the popular EPUB file which works the same as the current PDF, but is much easier to read on a e-reader.
The Full Rundown of Current Options
Free Download PDF
The author can upload a PDF that is accessible to the reviewer to read once they begin their review. Free Download PDF reviews show up on Amazon but are not classified as verified reviews.
Free Download EPUB
EPUB (short for electronic publication) is a popular open-standard file format for digital books that can be read on many popular e-readers.
The author can upload an EPUB file that the reviewer can read once they begin their review. Free Download EPUB reviews show up on Amazon but are not classified as verified reviews.
PermaFree (This is rare)
“Permafree” on Amazon is a way to make an e-book available for free on other bookseller websites and then have Amazon price match it. This can’t be done directly on Amazon, but authors can try these steps to make their book permafree:
- Make the book free on other bookseller websites, such as Apple or Kobo
- Notify Amazon of the price difference by submitting the price match form in the Help section of your KDP
- Amazon will likely price match the book toward the end of the next month
Some say that the system isn’t perfect, and it can take a few days or weeks for a book to become permafree.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited (KU) is a subscription service offered by Amazon that allows users to access a vast library of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics for a monthly fee.
The reviews given after reading a KU book are not verified in the same way that reviews for purchased books might be, but if you read until the end of the KU book, you can leave a review there. Reviews left at the end of the Kindle Reader/APP or left from “My Digital Orders” are much more likely to show as a verified review on Amazon.
Purchase on Amazon Kindle (As a Verified Review)
When you offer your book as Purchase on Amazon Kindle you are requesting reviews from authors who have purchased your book. Reviewers must have the “Verified Review” shown on their reviews in order to qualify for this type of review.
If you select a book as Purchase on Amazon Kindle you must post your reviews on the last page of the Kindle Book or from the digital orders page to ensure they are verified purchase reviews. Even if Amazon offers a book as Kindle Unlimited you still must purchase the book to qualify for this type of review.
Purchase Paper Book on Amazon (As a Verified Review)
When you offer your book as Paper Book Purchase on Amazon, you are requesting reviews from authors who have purchased your book. Reviewers mush have the “Verified Review” show on their reviews in order to qualify for this type of review. If you have both paperback and hardback please choose the cheaper price as the price you enter into the GBR website.
Because there will be shipping delays with this option reviewers have an extra 3 days to submit this review.
If you select a book as Purchase on Amazon Paper Book you must purchase the paper/hardback book on the same Amazon account that you leave the review.
Related Help Article
What happens when I choose more than review type option for my book?
