You read the ARC, you wrote a thoughtful review, you hit submit on Amazon, and nothing happened, or it vanished a day later. Amazon is the most useful place an ARC review can land and the most confusing place to post one. Here is how to leave a review on Amazon, why it sometimes will not let you, and what to do about it.
The rule nobody tells you about first
Before Amazon lets you review anything, your account has to have spent at least $50 there in the past year with a real card. This one requirement blocks more first-time reviewers than any other, and it has nothing to do with the book. If your review will not post at all, this is almost always why. It is a spam measure rather than a judgment on you, and once your account clears it, it stays cleared.
How to actually post the review
Once your account is eligible, the steps are quick:
- Open the book’s product page on the same Amazon country site you shop on, since your reviews post to your home marketplace.
- Scroll to the reviews and choose Write a review, or use the link in the author’s toolkit if they sent one.
- Pick your star rating, add a title and your review, and submit. It can take up to 48 hours to appear.
Because you received an advance copy rather than buying it, your review will not carry the Verified Purchase badge. That is completely fine. Unverified reviews are allowed and they count. Just add one honest line: “I received a free advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.” Our guide to ARC disclosure explains why that line matters.
Timing: Amazon opens on release day
Amazon only accepts reviews once a book is on sale, so an ARC you finish early has nowhere to go there yet. Post your review on Goodreads or StoryGraph in the meantime, then add it to Amazon on release day when the page goes live. Our guide to where to post your review maps out which platform to use when.
Why a review disappears, and what to do
Amazon runs everything through automated filters, and they sometimes catch honest reviews by mistake. The usual triggers:
- You know the author. A visible personal connection, like being tagged together on social media or sharing a last name, can flag a review. ARC reviews themselves are fine; a close personal tie is the problem.
- Wording that sounds coached. “The author asked me to review this” reads as solicited. “I received an advance copy” does not. Keep it to the honest-disclosure line.
- A brand-new or low-activity account. Accounts with almost no history get more scrutiny.
If a genuine review is removed, you can contact Amazon’s community team and ask why, though a repost on Goodreads is often the faster win. Never leave the exact same text on multiple accounts to force it through, because that is what gets reviewers banned.
All of this comes down to getting your honest words in front of the next reader, which is the single most helpful thing an ARC reader does. If you are not on a team yet, join an ARC team and put your reviews to work for the authors you love.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t Amazon let me post my review?
The most common reason is the eligibility rule: your account needs to have spent at least $50 on Amazon with a valid card in the past year before you can review. It is a spam filter rather than anything to do with the book, and it clears once your account qualifies.
Can I review an ARC on Amazon without a verified purchase?
Yes. ARC reviews are unverified because you did not buy the copy, and Amazon allows them. Add an honest disclosure line such as “I received a free advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own,” and your review counts like any other.
Why did my Amazon review disappear?
Amazon’s automated filters sometimes remove honest reviews, usually over a visible personal connection to the author, wording that sounds solicited, or a very new account. Keep to the plain disclosure line, and if a real review is pulled, a repost on Goodreads is often the quickest fix.