Amazon Editorial Reviews: The Indie Author's Secret Weapon
Editorial reviews appear above customer reviews on your Amazon book page. You control them, they are not subject to Amazon's review TOS, and most indie authors don't use them. Here's how to fix that.
This is NOT the same as customer reviews.
Customer reviews are posted by readers and governed by Amazon's strict Terms of Service. Editorial reviews are quotes you add yourself through Author Central from bloggers, other authors, or publications — and they live in an entirely separate section of your book page with different rules.
What Are Amazon Editorial Reviews?
Editorial reviews are endorsement quotes that appear in the Editorial Reviews section of your Amazon book page — typically above the customer reviews section, making them one of the first things a potential reader sees.
Unlike customer reviews, editorial reviews are not ratings or star counts. They are narrative quotes from credible sources that give context and social proof to a reader who is deciding whether to buy.
Where they appear
Above customer reviews on your book product page. They are often displayed in a prominent quote format that is hard to miss.
Who provides them
Book bloggers, review sites, other authors (blurbs), industry publications, or credentialed experts in the book's subject area.
Who controls them
You, the author. You add them yourself via Amazon Author Central. Amazon does not pre-approve them, and you choose which quotes appear.
TOS status
Editorial reviews are NOT subject to the same restrictions as customer reviews. There is no prohibition on author-to-author blurbs or adding reviews from bloggers you contacted.
Persistence
Editorial reviews persist through Amazon's periodic review curation sweeps that sometimes remove customer reviews. They are far more stable than customer reviews.
Format
Displayed as a quote block with the reviewer's name and publication (e.g., "A gripping debut thriller." — The Book Blogger). You control the exact text shown.
How to Get Editorial Reviews
You do not need a traditional publisher to get editorial reviews. Here are the most practical sources for indie authors.
1. Book Bloggers and Review Sites
Book bloggers are the most accessible source. Many actively seek books to review and will provide a quote you can use as an editorial review.
How to pitch book bloggers:
- Search for bloggers in your genre on Goodreads, Instagram (#bookstagram), or Google (“[genre] book blog reviews”)
- Check their review policies before submitting (most list what genres they accept)
- Send a short, personalized pitch with your book's title, genre, word count, and a 2-sentence hook
- Offer a free digital copy (PDF or EPUB) — never require a positive review
- Ask if they would be willing to provide a short quote for your Amazon page
2. Other Authors (Blurb Exchanges)
Author blurbs are the gold standard of editorial reviews. A recognizable name in your genre can significantly increase conversion.
Are blurb exchanges allowed on Amazon?
Yes. Author-to-author endorsements via Author Central are not subject to Amazon's review swap prohibition. The review swap rules apply to customer reviews — editorial reviews are a completely separate system. Authors endorsing each other's books is standard industry practice and perfectly compliant.
To get author blurbs: reach out to authors in your genre whose audience overlaps with yours. Offer to send a review copy 4–6 weeks before your launch. Keep your ask short — a 1–2 sentence blurb is plenty.
3. Your Own Credentials (Non-Fiction Authors)
For non-fiction, your credentials, testimonials from clients, or endorsements from subject-matter experts carry significant weight.
- Quotes from professionals or experts who read your manuscript
- Testimonials from clients or students (for how-to or business books)
- Your own credentials formatted as a brief bio-style quote
4. Paid Editorial Services (Kirkus Indie, etc.)
Kirkus Indie and similar services offer paid editorial reviews from professional reviewers. These carry name recognition but come at a cost ($425–$575 for Kirkus as of 2026).
Paid reviews are best for authors targeting library markets or traditional publishing crossover. For most indie authors, free blogger reviews and author blurbs are more cost-effective.
5. Articulate Beta Readers
If a beta reader writes particularly insightful feedback, ask their permission to use a short quote as an editorial review. Even “a fellow reader” attribution is better than no editorial review at all.
How to Add Editorial Reviews in Amazon Author Central
Once you have a quote, adding it to your book page takes about 2 minutes. Here is the exact process.
Log in to Author Central
Go to authorcentral.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account. If you have not set up Author Central yet, you will need to claim your author page first.
Click "Books" and select your book
Navigate to the Books tab in the top menu. Find your book in the list and click on it to open your book's management page.
Find the Editorial Reviews section
Scroll down on your book's page until you see the "Editorial Reviews" section. It may also appear as "Book Description" depending on your Author Central version — look for a section with an "Add" or "Edit" button.
Click "Add" and paste your quote
Click the Add button. Paste the full quote in the text field, then add the reviewer's name and publication (e.g., "Jane Smith, The Book Blogger" or "John Doe, bestselling author of [Title]").
Save and wait 24–48 hours
Click Save. Amazon typically takes 24–48 hours to process the change and display the editorial review on your book page. You can add multiple editorial reviews by repeating this process.
Editorial Reviews vs. Customer Reviews
| Feature | Editorial Reviews | Customer Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Who adds them | You (via Author Central) | Readers (via Amazon) |
| Position on page | Above customer reviews | Below product description |
| Star rating | No — quote only | Yes — 1 to 5 stars |
| Subject to Amazon TOS review rules | No | Yes — strict rules apply |
| Can be from other authors | Yes — blurbs are allowed | Complicated — can be flagged |
| Can be removed by Amazon | Rarely — very stable | Yes — Amazon removes regularly |
| Requires disclosure | No | Yes — if free copy received |
| Impact on star rating | None | Direct — affects average rating |
Also Need Customer Reviews?
Editorial reviews are part of your conversion toolkit, but customer reviews drive Amazon's algorithm. iWrity helps you get Amazon-compliant customer reviews from genuine readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an editorial review on Amazon?+
An editorial review on Amazon is a quote from a media outlet, book blogger, industry publication, or other author that appears on your book's product page — above the customer reviews section. Unlike customer reviews, you add them yourself through Amazon Author Central and they are not governed by Amazon's customer review Terms of Service.
Can I add my own editorial reviews to Amazon?+
Yes. You add editorial reviews through Amazon Author Central (authorcentral.amazon.com). Log in, go to your book, find the Editorial Reviews section, click Add, paste the quote with the reviewer's name and publication, and save. Changes go live within 24–48 hours. You choose which quotes appear and can update them at any time.
Are blurbs from other authors allowed as editorial reviews on Amazon?+
Yes. Author-to-author blurbs added via Author Central are not subject to Amazon's review swap rules. The review swap prohibition applies to customer reviews — editorial reviews are a separate system. Asking another author for a blurb and adding it via Author Central is completely allowed and is standard practice in both traditional and indie publishing.
How many editorial reviews should I have?+
2–5 strong editorial reviews is a good target. Quality matters more than quantity — one compelling quote from a recognizable name in your genre outweighs several generic endorsements. For non-fiction, a single endorsement from a credentialed expert in your book's field can meaningfully boost conversion rates.
Do editorial reviews help Amazon ranking?+
Editorial reviews do not directly influence Amazon's search ranking algorithm, which primarily uses sales velocity, reviews, and click-through rates. However, they indirectly help ranking by improving your book page's conversion rate. A strong editorial review makes browsers more likely to buy, which drives sales velocity, which does improve ranking. Think of editorial reviews as conversion optimization, not search SEO.