Goodreads ownership: Who owns Goodreads and what it means for readers

When you think of Goodreads, the world’s largest online community for book lovers where users track, review, and rate books. Also known as the go-to platform for book recommendations, it’s where millions of readers decide what to read next—whether it’s a cozy fantasy novel or a gritty crime thriller. But here’s the thing: Goodreads isn’t independent anymore. Since 2013, it’s been owned by Amazon, the global e-commerce and tech giant that also runs Kindle and dominates online book sales. That change didn’t just shift a logo—it changed how books are discovered, reviewed, and even promoted.

Before Amazon bought Goodreads, it was a small, passionate site run by readers, for readers. Now, reviews can feel more like marketing tools. You’ll see books with 4.5-star ratings that suddenly spike after a publisher pays for a campaign. And while the core idea—real people sharing honest thoughts—still exists, the system is now tied to Amazon’s algorithm. Your reading list on Goodreads can influence what Amazon recommends to you on its site. Your review might show up in an Amazon product page. The line between a personal book journal and a corporate sales funnel has blurred.

It’s not all bad. Goodreads still has the biggest collection of user reviews in the world. It’s where you’ll find out if a fantasy villain like Sauron truly haunts readers, or whether cozy fantasy is the quiet escape you didn’t know you needed. It’s where Gen Z is redefining what it means to be obsessed with a book, and where 20-year-olds track how many books they finish each year. But knowing who owns Goodreads changes how you read it. Are you looking for truth—or a recommendation designed to drive a sale?

Below, you’ll find posts that dig into the real impact of this ownership. From how book ratings work on Goodreads to why some books dominate the charts while others fade, these articles don’t just talk about reading—they show you how the system behind it all shapes what you read next.