And His Name is 

AMAZON

In case you didn’t know, positive Amazon book reviews are gold for every author.

No one is going to buy a book that no one else is reading. 

READ. THAT. AGAIN!

You need at least twenty 5-star reviews to generate interest with other readers—and Amazon’s algorithms. Generate fifty 5-star reviews and Amazon will boost your book in its search engine and promote it to readers looking at similar books.

Make sure you read all the way to the "P.S" at the end of this email, because we can help you make this happen.

Here’s the problem: Amazon pulls more reader reviews than a kindergartener pulls the fire alarm on a boring afternoon.

Here's what I discovered: Amazon knows the identity of all the Illumify authors. If I wrote a review for any of them, Amazon would vote the review off KDP island.

If your dear, old mom tried to review your book on Amazon, they’d sniff out her IP address like a bloodhound with boundary issues.

Amazon, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram sell their information to each other in order to track our every move. 

They know who you are, where you live, and who you know. 

I know, it's creepy.

So let’s have a little heart-to-heart, you and me. You’ve written your book. It’s live on Amazon. You want need reviews. Glowing, gushing reviews. Ideally 500 of them by Tuesday. 

But you’re about to step into the minefield of Amazon’s review policies.

Fear not. I’m here to help you get reviews from family and friends without violating Amazon’s rules (or losing your sanity). 

Let's go!

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📚 First, What Are Amazon’s Rules?

Here’s the most important rule: Amazon doesn’t allow “close personal relationships” to leave reviews. 

According to their Customer Review Guidelines, reviews are not allowed if they’re posted in exchange for compensation (cash, gift cards, chocolate cake, etc.), or if they’re from people with a close personal connection to the author.

And yes, Amazon has very big ears. They know your mom. They probably know what you had for lunch. Don’t test them.

Also banned:

• Reviewing your own book. (Nice try.)
• Paying someone to leave a review, unless it’s a professional, editorial review that’s disclosed.
• Asking your cousin Todd to make a fake account to leave a review “just this once.”

So what can you do? Plenty! Let’s break it down.

😇 6 Ways to Legally Get Amazon Reviews from Friends, Fans, and People Who Don’t Share Your DNA

1. Encourage Your Friends to Buy the Book First

Amazon prioritizes reviews from people who have purchased the book. Even if Aunt Linda buys the eBook for $0.99, she’s more likely to get past the filter. And if she really loves you, she’ll throw in a paperback purchase for bonus points.

Just don’t reimburse her. That’s against the rules too. (Sorry, Linda.)

Pro tip #1: Emphasize to your reviewers that they shouldn't mention they know you. If they say in the review, "I changed Eddy's diapers fifty years ago—and he's the real deal!" Amazon will probably pull the review. And besides, that's a little weird.

2. Build a Launch Team—Before Launch

Instead of asking for reviews after the book drops, form a team beforehand. These can be friends, co-workers, writers group members, or people you once shared an Uber with who seemed literary. Give them a free copy via PDF and ask for an honest review once the book goes live.

Pro tip #2: If they’ve reviewed other books on Amazon before, they’re less likely to get flagged.

3. Use the “Request a Review” Button

If you’re publishing through Amazon KDP, there’s a nifty “Request a Review” button you can click inside your dashboard. It emails verified buyers (not just your best friend who bought it out of pity) and gently nudges them to leave a review.

This is Amazon-approved. Use it often.

At Illumify, we typically upload our authors' books to their personal KDP accounts and then link it with the print book that's on our publishing account.

Works like a charm!

4. Send People to Goodreads

Amazon owns Goodreads, but the rules are a bit looser there. If your mom or Uncle Jim wants to rave about your book and can’t get past Amazon’s review gatekeeper, tell them to try Goodreads instead. 

It won’t boost your Amazon star count, but it will help your book’s visibility.

5. Ask for Reviews in Your Book (but subtly)

Add a short paragraph at the end of your book that says something like:

“If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Your feedback helps other readers find this story!”

No begging. No bribes. Just a classy call to action. 

6. Add Amazon Review Instructions to Your Author Website

Illumify author Leanna Cinquanta, gave me this idea: Add a page to your author website that includes the above instructions. No charge!!

Brilliant!

Pro tip #3: Never, ever pay for an Amazon review. There are scams out there that promise Amazon reviews for a fee. Back in the day, you could get away with it. Nowadays, it's the shortcut to getting your book banned by Big Brother.

🎯 Final Word: Don’t Game the System—Work the System

It’s tempting, I know. You just want a few reviews to get things going. But one wrong move and Amazon could pull all your reviews—or worse, ban your account. They’re not big on second chances. I’ve seen it happen.

Instead, focus on growing your real audience. Give advance readers free copies. Collect emails and build a launch team. Send polite follow-ups. Celebrate each review like a champagne-worthy event.

Because one honest review is better than five fake ones. 

📅 Ready to Build a Review-Worthy Launch Strategy?

If you’re feeling stuck—or just want to talk through your publishing game plan—I’d love to help.

Let’s turn your book into something worth raving about. Click below to make the dream happen.

Here are two Illumify authors whose books we recently released...

Father Thomas Mann is jolted awake by an urgent call from his closest friend, an archaeologist claiming he has unearthed an ancient Roman manuscript frozen in ice-a text that could rewrite the history of Jesus Christ.

Under house arrest in a secluded monastery, Thomas has three months to decipher the scrolls before they're destroyed. The manuscript tells the story of a disgraced Roman tribune, ordered by Governor Pilate and Emperor Tiberius, to hunt down the resurrected Jesus-dead or alive. As the tribune and a ruthless rival bounty hunter search for the elusive rebel who defied death by crucifixion, Thomas wrestles with his deepest beliefs and questions the foundations of his faith.

Should the world hear the story, or should some histories remain buried? Dead or Alive is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller where faith and history collide in the nascent days of Christianity.

What if a miraculous historical discovery challenged everything you believe?

Read Dead or Alive by Michael Kelley. Congratulations, Michael! 

Two weeks ago, Jen Clark and I joined Illumify author Stacy Schaffer at her book launch party (I'm the one on the left!). By the time of her party, she had already generated twenty 5-star Amazon reviews (she's now up to twenty-eight!). 

In With Love from a Children's Therapist, Stacy Schaffer takes readers on a deeply personal and professional journey through trauma, resilience, and healing.

As a survivor and a therapist with more than twenty years of experience, Schaffer weaves together her story with the lessons she's learned from working with children, teens, and young adults. 

Raw, honest, and deeply compassionate, this book is a testament to the power of storytelling in breaking silence and fostering healing. For anyone seeking understanding, hope, or a way forward, With Love from a Children's Therapist is an essential read.

Congratulations, Stacy!

Let’s bring your book to life!