Amazon Book Reviews: How Many Readers Leave Them?

If you ever scrolled through Amazon wondering whether all those book buyers actually stop to leave a review, you’re not alone. The reality is, only a sliver of readers hit that five-star button or even type a sentence or two. Data from publishing insiders puts the number as low as 1 to 2 percent of buyers who go back and review a book.

Think about it. Say a book sells 10,000 copies. If 100 people leave a review, that’s actually pretty strong. This number might seem tiny, but it’s normal and—even for bestselling authors—totally expected. The wild part? Those 1-2% can make a huge difference for a book’s success on Amazon, affecting everything from future sales to how the website recommends titles to new readers.

This is why authors ask—even beg—readers for reviews, sometimes slipping notes into the back of their books. And no, you don’t have to write an essay or gush about every detail. Short, honest feedback helps more than you might think.

• How Many Readers Actually Leave a Review?
• Why Most People Don’t Bother
• What Motivates Reviewers?
• Why Reviews Matter to Authors
• How to Write a Good Amazon Book Review

How Many Readers Actually Leave a Review?

If you’re curious about just how many readers take the time to leave feedback after buying a book on Amazon, the answer is surprisingly small. Plenty of people read and finish a book, but turning that experience into a review? That’s rare.

Publishing experts, self-published authors, and Amazon itself have mentioned different numbers over the years. But the range is pretty consistent: usually only 1-2% of buyers leave a review for any given book. Some sources even say the number can dip as low as 0.5% for less popular genres or debut authors. You can spot this yourself if you compare a book’s sales (like from author updates on social media) to the public review count on Amazon.

To give you a sense of the numbers, check out this breakdown:

So, if you see a book with 500 reviews, that book likely sold somewhere between 25,000 and 50,000 copies. Even then, given refunds and family sharing, the Amazon book reviews percentage might drop a bit.

The real shocker? Most books don’t ever reach 100 reviews. Even authors putting real muscle into requesting feedback often see the review numbers stall way below what you’d expect. Amazon also regularly removes reviews it deems suspicious, which pushes those numbers even lower.

If you’ve ever wondered why every author newsletter you get asks for reviews, look at these stats. The act of leaving a review isn’t just rare—it’s gold for authors and helps other readers find books worth their time.

Why Most People Don’t Bother

The truth is, leaving an Amazon book review isn’t most people’s top priority. After finishing a book, life usually gets in the way: kids, work tasks, or even just binge-watching a show. In surveys, the biggest reason people don’t leave reviews is simply forgetting, even if they liked the book.

Some say they don’t know what to write, or they worry their opinions don’t matter. There’s this misconception that reviews should be deep, detailed, or clever. But honestly, a quick sentence like “Loved this for my weekend read!” does the job. The Amazon system doesn’t require anything long or fancy.

Others get tripped up by the process itself. If you haven’t bought the book directly from Amazon, or if you haven’t spent at least $50 with them over a year, you can’t actually leave a review. This rule catches out more people than you’d expect.

• Time: People feel it takes too long.
• Privacy: Some worry their names or info might be visible.
• Not sure if it matters: Readers think one review won’t impact much.
• Technical barriers: Amazon’s review rules or login steps put some people off.
• Intimidation: The idea of writing in public, even a sentence, feels daunting.

It’s funny, though. Once people leave a review for the first time, it often gets easier and even feels a little satisfying. If you’re worried about being the odd one out—don’t be. The crowd that writes reviews is always the minority, but they play a huge part in the reading world.

What Motivates Reviewers?

Ever notice how some people never skip a chance to drop a review, while most readers finish a book and move on? There are some clear reasons behind this small but mighty group who step up and share their thoughts. Most of them aren’t pro critics or chasing fame.

According to Amazon’s own reports from 2023, over 60% of reviews come from users who have written at least one before—so once someone reviews, they tend to do it again. But why bother in the first place? There’s a mix of motivations:

• Amazon book reviews help other readers decide what’s actually worth reading. For a lot of reviewers, it feels good to help someone make an informed choice and avoid disappointment. It’s like giving advice to a friend, just online.
• Some want to support authors directly—especially new or independent writers. Readers who’ve been moved by a story often want to give back with a bit of praise and visibility.
• Free stuff is a big pull. Amazon’s Early Reviewer Program and some advanced reader copy (ARC) deals offer perks for honest feedback. While official incentives are rare now, there’s still a community feel: you get to join the conversation.
• Others just love having a platform. Some reviewers treat their Amazon profiles like a hobby, sharing their bookish opinions for fun or to build a little reputation.

But actual numbers bring it together. Here’s a simple breakdown from a recent independent study that looked at motivation:

If you’re looking for a little spark to actually leave a review, just remember: your short opinion could easily tip the scales for the next reader or help a struggling author get noticed. And hey, it feels good to give genuine feedback—plus, once you start, odds are you’ll do it again.

Why Reviews Matter to Authors

For authors, getting book reviews on Amazon isn’t just a nice bonus—it’s one of the most important things for their books’ success. Reviews signal to other shoppers that real people have read the book, which builds trust. Amazon’s algorithm pays serious attention to reviews too. The more genuine reviews a book has, the more likely it is to show up higher in search results and in the “Customers who bought this also bought” section. This gives the book extra visibility without any extra ad spend.

But there’s more. Hitting certain review milestones—think 50 or 100 reviews—can unlock spots in email promos or even make a book eligible for Kindle deals and special Amazon features. For indie or self-published writers, reaching that first 50 written reviews often feels like getting a golden ticket. These reviews help sway new readers who might be on the fence, especially when they see honest reactions and not just five-star raves from friends or family.

Authors can also use feedback from *Amazon book reviews* to improve what they write next. They’ll spot trends in what readers loved or what fell flat. Helpful criticism can shape sequels or future projects. It’s like getting real insight, not just ego boosts.

• Good reviews mean better chances for future sales.
• Books with more reviews look more credible and trustworthy.
• Constructive feedback lets writers know what’s actually landing with readers.
• Higher review counts unlock Amazon promo features.

So if you liked a book, your short comment can matter way more than you think. That one review might help an author get noticed or hit that next step toward bigger opportunities.

How to Write a Good Amazon Book Review

Writing a helpful review on Amazon isn’t rocket science, but a few tips can really make it count. No need for long essays or fancy words—the best reviews are clear, to the point, and honest.

Amazon recommends that reviews focus on personal experience with the book. This means you don’t have to summarize the plot in detail or try to sound like a professional critic. Instead, share what you liked or didn’t like and why. Did the story keep you turning pages? Did the characters feel real, or was there something that didn’t work for you?

• Amazon book reviews don’t need to be long. Just a couple of sentences is enough—maybe 40 to 80 words.
• Mention if you finished the book. That says a lot right away, especially if you’re usually picky with what you finish.
• Be specific. Instead of saying “I loved it,” talk about what grabbed you. Was it the writing, the humor, or maybe a surprising twist?
• It’s fine to mention issues, but explain them. Instead of just “I didn’t like it,” include what didn’t work—maybe the ending felt rushed or you couldn’t connect with the hero.
• Skip spoilers, or if you have to mention them, use a spoiler warning at the top of your review.
• If the book has flaws, balance your comments. Point out both the good and not-so-good. Honest feedback helps other readers and even the author.

Amazon’s official guidelines ask reviewers to stick to the book and not include personal info, links, or off-topic rants. Keep things respectful. If you’re reviewing a children’s book, say who enjoyed it—your kids, a class, or a certain age group.

You don’t have to stress about saying the “right thing.” Most authors and shoppers are grateful for any sincere review, and sometimes the simplest ones get marked as the most helpful by other readers. Push past that moment of doubt and share your thoughts. Remember, your quick feedback might nudge another reader to try a book—or help someone avoid the wrong choice.