As a self-published author, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal isn’t your marketing budget or your social media presence—it’s your Amazon reviews. Today, I want to dive into why these reviews are absolutely a must for your success and share my experience with a platform that’s helped me gather quality reviews consistently.

The Amazon Algorithm: Your Silent Partner

What many new authors don’t realize is that Amazon’s algorithm acts as a virtual promoter for your book. The more reviews you collect, the more visible your book becomes to potential readers. When you visit Amazon, how do you decide what’s worth buying and what is a hard pass?

Before making a purchase, you probably scroll down to check the reviews section. Your potential readers are doing exactly the same thing.

For self-published authors, these authentic reader reviews are invaluable. They serve multiple purposes:

• They provide social proof that encourages other readers to take a chance on your work
• Once you reach certain review thresholds, Amazon unlocks special promotional features
• They offer genuine feedback about what resonates with your audience, which can inform your future writing

You also need to have a great book cover that has a great hook, a well-edited manuscript, and a detailed Table of Contents to make your book stand out. But reviews are another ingredient that some authors neglect (myself included).

Finding a Solution for Amazon Reviews: My Experience with Gemsy.io

Recently, I had the opportunity to try Gemsy.io, and I’ll admit—I was skeptical at first. As someone who only recommends tools I personally use and trust, I needed to verify its effectiveness before sharing it with my author community.

How Gemsy Works for Amazon Reviews:

The platform operates on a subscription model that’s more cost-effective than traditional promotional campaigns. It uses a gem-based system where you earn gems by reviewing other authors’ books, which you can then use to request reviews for your own work. You can choose to have readers access your book through:

• PDF or EPUB downloads (Free books)
• Kindle Unlimited (KU)
• Direct purchases at a reduced price

I’ve found the Kindle Unlimited option particularly effective. While these reviews aren’t marked as “verified purchases,” they still appear on your Amazon product page and contribute to your book’s visibility. Plus, you earn money for pages read, which can offset the monthly subscription cost.

The Pros and Cons of Gemsy.io

Advantages:

• Cost-effective compared to traditional promotions
• Faster review accumulation
• Quality-focused community of reviewers
• Can be combined with other marketing strategies

Challenges:

• Limited selection of books to review
• Some books may be in foreign languages
• Not all available books may interest you

While the platform is still growing, there are some “growing pains” that come with that. I think the selection of books will improve once more people start using the platform. I’m not keen on buying books just to review them, but I’m happy to use KU and leave an honest review. If you aren’t a fan of reviewing books, then this platform might not be your best choice for promoting your book.

Best Practices for Success

If you decide to try Gemsy, remember that quality matters. Don’t leave superficial reviews for other authors—contribute thoughtful, detailed feedback. The platform works best for those who genuinely enjoy reading and reviewing books.

Although you might feel forced to read and review a book, select books that you can genuinely offer a review about. Also note that it’s good to check back on Gemsy because sometimes authors take a bit to list their book for review.

Check out the video to see the back end and how it works.

Special Offer for My Readers

Gemsy has provided a 30% discount code for my audience: MICHELLE30. While I do receive a commission through my affiliate link, I’m comfortable sharing this because I’m a user myself and believe in the platform’s value. If you aren’t sure about the platform, take a test drive! Gemsy offers a 7 day trial and you can cancel before the trial if you are not loving it.

The Bottom Line for Amazon Reviews

Maintaining review momentum is a key method for gaining long-term book sales. Whether you’re launching a new book or supporting your existing work, consistent review generation should be part of your marketing strategy.

Gemsy offers one effective approach, but remember—the key is finding what works best for your specific situation and maintaining high standards in your interactions with other authors. While I appreciate the reviews I’ve garnered from the platform, I hope it continues to improve and offer more books for review and supports authors in the best way possible.

Getting your book read shouldn’t mean sacrificing your moral standards. Gemsy can be a great tool if authors use it ethically and honor the authors work.