How to Get Amazon Book Reviews as a Self-Published Author

The First 50 Reviews: Your Book’s Launchpad to Visibility and Sales

If you’re a self-published author, hitting 50 Amazon reviews isn’t just a nice feeling. It’s a critical milestone and crucial turning point!

At 50 reviews, Amazon starts treating your book like it matters. Suddenly you’re showing up in more search results. You’re getting featured in the “Customers also bought” section. Promo sites stop ignoring you. And buyers start trusting you.

Most authors never get close. Over half of self-published books on Amazon have fewer than 3 reviews. If you reach 10 reviews, you’re already ahead of about 80% of other indie authors. If you hit 50 reviews, you’ve entered the top 5%! Most people quit before they even climb the hill. If you’re still pushing, you’re already built different.

That’s why learning how to get Amazon book reviews should be a core skill for any author who’s serious about sales and success. This article will show you exactly what to do.

Have the Audacity to Ask!

If you want reviews, you’re going to have to do the scary thing: ask for them.

Not from your best friend. Not from your grandma. Amazon will flag that. Ask your acquaintances. Ask former coworkers. Ask mutual followers or that person you once traded Etsy freebies with.

Be polite.

Be direct.

Be brief.

Example message:

“Hey! I just released my book. If you’d be willing to read it and leave an honest review, I’d be so grateful. Please and thank you!”

That’s it. No overthinking, begging, or bribing. No wasting their time with fake conversations to “warm them up.” Keep it quick and direct.

Most people won’t reply. Some will say no. But a handful will say yes, and that’s all you need to start building momentum.

If you’re struggling with how to get reviews for self-published books, this is the most effective place to start. Direct outreach works better than hoping for miracles.

Free, Smart Ways to Get Book Reviews

Getting reviews doesn’t have to cost anything. You just have to be creative and consistent.

🎪 Markets and fairs: Let people read a sample copy. Say, “Even if you don’t buy it, I’d love it if you left a review. It really helps the book get noticed.” Have a QR code ready to scan.

📨 Email your list. Post on your socials. Make the ask clearly and confidently.

📚 Donate to Little Free Libraries, therapists’ offices, schools, or community centers. Leave a sticky note inside asking for a review.

📖 Give away the PDF or ebook in exchange for the chance at a review. Not a demand — an opportunity.

These strategies are some of the easiest ways to learn how to get Amazon book reviews without breaking the rules or your budget.

If you’re looking for book marketing tips to increase Amazon visibility, stacking honest reviews is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Are Paid Reviews Worth It?

Paid review services won’t give you Amazon reviews, and that’s a good thing. Amazon doesn’t allow paid reviews on their platform. But services like Kirkus Indie, OnlineBookClub, and Readers’ Favorite can boost your credibility in other ways.

You’ll get official review badges and pull quotes you can use in your marketing, exposure to their audience, and an extra layer of professionalism to pitch media, schools, and bookstores.

They’re a helpful option when you’ve exhausted your free outreach, or want to improve your authority while working on how to get reviews for self-published books from trusted third-party sources.

BookTok, Bookstagram, and Bloggers Are Gold

Micro-influencers are your best bet for organic reach. Not only is this another smart path for how to get Amazon book reviews, it’s also one of the most authentic book marketing tips to increase Amazon visibility over the long term.

Message BookTokers and Instagram reviewers with fewer than 10K followers. They’re more likely to respond and enjoy supporting indie authors. Use Reedsy, The Indie View, or even Google to find active book bloggers in your genre.

Make it personal. Mention a book they loved that’s similar to yours. Be human. Be respectful. Ask if they’d be open to a free copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

You don’t need hundreds of reviews. You need fifty.

That’s where the algorithms start helping instead of ignoring you. That’s when readers stop doubting. That’s when promo sites say yes. Ten reviews puts you ahead of most indie authors. Fifty makes you elite! And you don’t need a huge following to get there. You just need to ask the right people.

So don’t be shy. Be bold. You wrote the book. You published it. Now you have the audacity to ask! Ask at markets. Ask online. Ask everywhere. Closed mouths don’t get fed. Authors with open mouths get reviews! And if you need book marketing tips to increase Amazon visibility, there is no better place to start than by mastering how to get reviews for self-published books the honest way. It just takes time and effort.