Editorial Reviews vs. Reader Reviews: What’s the Difference?

If you’re an author, you’ve probably heard that you need more book reviews. But which kind? Editorial reviews and reader reviews do different jobs. Here’s how to tell them apart and decide which one could help your book.

What is an editorial book review?

Think of an editorial review as a closer look at your book from a reviewer or publication. It might discuss the story, the writing, and who would enjoy it. The reviewer may love some things and have reservations about others. Some outlets charge for the work involved, but the fee doesn’t buy a glowing verdict.

Before submitting, take a look at an outlet’s recent published book reviews. Does it cover your genre? Do you like the way it discusses books? A review can give readers a fuller picture of your work, though it can’t promise sales.

What is a reader review?

Reader reviews are the reactions people leave on retailers, library sites, and reading communities. Some are detailed, some are a sentence, and some are only a rating. Each platform has its own rules about who can review and how authors may ask, so check those before reaching out to readers.

So what’s the difference?

Question	Editorial review	Reader review
Who writes it?	A reviewer or publication	An individual reader or customer
Where does it appear?	Usually on the outlet’s site or in its publication	On the reader platform or retailer
How do you get one?	Submit to a publication or use a review service	Ask readers for honest feedback within the platform’s rules
Can you pay for one?	Some outlets charge for their time; the opinion stays their own	Follow the platform’s rules; Amazon does not allow paid customer reviews

Where does Amazon fit?

Amazon is one place where the distinction matters. An independent editorial review is different from an Amazon customer review. Amazon’s Community Guidelines don’t allow customer reviews to be created, edited, or removed in exchange for compensation. If you pay a publication for an editorial review, don’t ask its reviewer to post it as a paid customer review. To explore ways to share an editorial quote, check Author Central and the options available to you.

Which one should you try first?

It depends on what you need. An editorial review can give you a considered assessment to share with readers or media contacts. Reader reviews show how individual readers experienced the book on a platform they use. You can make room for both in your plans.

If you’re approaching an editorial outlet, make the process easy: have a finished, proofread book, a short description, genre and publication details, and a brief author bio ready. Before paying, read its examples and check the price, timeline, and what happens if the book isn’t accepted. You can also ask how it handles mixed reviews and whether you may quote the review with attribution. Our guide to getting an editorial review walks through the submission process.

Considering a Book Nerdection review?

At Book Nerdection, we read eligible books in full and publish honest reviews. Our review service page explains the genres we accept, package prices and timelines, what is included, and how to submit. Have a look at our published reviews, too, to see if our approach suits your book.