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Is there any use of Goodreads?








Every author needs a review. We all know how hard is to find readers who will buy and review your books. Mostly, people expect an ARC copy for free to review your book.

We have 3 groups of readers:

They take a free book, and never review it.

They take a free book and review it on Goodreads or Bookbub or a blog.

They buy the book and leave Amazon reviews.

As every author is dreaming about Amazon reviews, many will get disappointed and try to get satisfaction in Goodreads.

Goodreads is a minefield. There is a big mess that needs admins and bans. Everyone can create a page and leave a one-star review on your book, just to underestimate authors.

Some people go even so far as to ask for money for their reviews or blackmail you to rate you with one star if you don't pay them.

If you are a Goodreads member, you can notice the "currently reading " option. You can hope someone is reading your book. 

Well, about 10 people will mark your book as "to read" or "currently reading" but they will never read it.

There are readers with 10000 books marked as "to read." They are spammers.

Goodreads readers are some people who rate books with 2 or 3 stars, it doesn't matter who is the author. They should be flagged. 

However, is there proof that a Goodreads member is reading your book? Do they read in Kindle Unlimited to increase your KENP?

Do they buy the book?

You can't know it.

What I know for sure, is when I see a blank avatar with a complete book rating of 2.50, this is a troll, not a reader.

Also, Goodreads members are people who rate every book with 5 stars, without an explanation. It is not supporting books, just an attempt to get noticed.

Some Goodreads members come to annoy you privately in messages or invite you to their Giveaway, including you in their promotion, even if you don't know them.

Goodreads review helps if you leave an Amazon review too.

It helps to reach the visibility of the book if your reviewer is an author.

If I can choose, I would like more Amazon reviews, because many authors avoid Goodreads. It is not nice when trolls start to ruin your rating.



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