I Got a Negative Book Review Removed From Amazon

Summary

The author successfully had a negative and personal book review removed from Amazon after realizing that such reviews, which cross the line into personal attacks, can be reported and potentially taken down.

Abstract

The author describes the emotional journey of publishing a book and the vulnerability that comes with exposing one's work to public criticism. While constructive feedback is part of the process, the author encountered a review that was vicious, personal, and slanderous, which remained on their Amazon page for over two years. After advice from a Meet Up group, the author learned that Amazon could remove reviews that constitute personal attacks. The author outlines steps for addressing such reviews, including reporting the abuse directly, contacting Amazon support, and encouraging positive reviews to mitigate the impact of negative ones. The article emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticism and personal disparagement, and it reassures authors that Amazon does intervene when reviews cross the line.

Opinions

Writing and publishing a book requires significant commitment and emotional resilience, as it exposes the author to both praise and criticism.
The author believes that some individuals may leave negative reviews not for constructive purposes but to disparage and attack the author anonymously.
Amazon is generally reluctant to remove negative reviews, but the author found an exception when the review was a personal attack rather than a legitimate critique of the book.
The author suggests that engaging with negative reviewers can exacerbate the situation and recommends against replying to such reviews.
Positive reviews from genuine readers can help counterbalance the impact of negative reviews by pushing them lower on the list.
The author conveys a sense of relief and vindication upon learning that Amazon does have mechanisms in place to address abusive and slanderous reviews.

I Got a Negative Book Review Removed From Amazon

Here is how I did it

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio for Pexel

Writing any book is a huge commitment. I say it takes fire in the belly to tackle the task, get it to fruition, and then actually get it online for the world to read….and criticize. That is the tough part. You put your heart and soul into creating this manuscript. It can take years to reach book buyers and you want to know what your readers think.

Or…maybe you don’t.

Whether you are a stone-cold experienced writer or journalist, or someone who just completed your family memoir, launching your “baby” is a thrill, and terrifying at the same time. If you want the world to read your book, you must get it to a platform where the public can find it. Now, you are vulnerable to whatever others think of your work.

Are you professional enough to accept comments and reviews of your book that aren’t glowing praise? And, where is the line between legitimate criticism of your book, and just plain disparagement and nastiness?

Sometimes, it is difficult to tell.

There are folks out there who like to tear others down because they can, with no repercussions. They are anonymous. They can say what they want and there is nothing you can do about it. Amazon is not about to remove a review that is negative.

Here is the exception that I found useful and why I was successful in getting a very negative review of my book taken down:

The review was personal. It was vicious and full of distortions and slanderous comments. This was not a book review. Rather, it was a personal attack on me.

For over two years, it stayed up on my Amazon page because I didn’t think there was anything I could do about it. Then, at my Meet Up, Shut Up & Write group, one of the attendees said I could ask Amazon to take it down.

Some options included:

• Go to the book review, and click on “Report abuse.”

• Write to Amazon at [email protected], and explain why the review is inappropriate.

• Report the review to Amazon seller support.

I don’t recommend replying to the review as that can only make the problem worse. People who have left a negative review do not want to be challenged and you will only get into a stressful online (public!) exchange with them.

If you can’t get the review taken down, you may be able to move it lower by asking those who have read your book to review it on Amazon, and also to click “helpful” next to the other good review. Those reviews will move up higher on Amazon’s list.

It’s hurtful to see negative reviews about something you spent precious time creating but reviews go with the territory. Understand the difference between comments about your book and attacks on you. Amazon does draw a line when it comes to that.