Should we rate books amidst review bombing?
Sure, we should read and review books. But should we rate them on a five-star rating scale amidst review bombing? Keep reading for more, then see today's writing prompt. [Ed. from the Archive.]
Today’s question comes in the wake of the troubling rise of what is now being dubbed as ‘review bombing’, which according to Merriam-Webster is “the flooding of a website with usually negative reviews .” (Sources below.) And all those negative reviews are typically made using a five-star scale, of course, especially for books on the Goodreads platform.
Aside from leaving a text review of a book we’ve read, should we also rate books using the five-star rating scale? …
See, the five-star rating scale is problematic, especially on platforms like Goodreads, because readers don’t actually have to finish reading a book in order to rate it on the platform. So, users are starting to see a lot of low ratings for books that haven’t even been released yet, or that many users haven’t actually read. Apparently, many users are leaving negative ratings because they don’t agree with the premise or blurb of a book, or don’t like its author’s public profile. As you can probably guess, those negative reviewers tend to ‘disagree’ with the premise of books that touch on narratives or content about race and gender and political affiliatons the most.
Here’s the thing— if it was just a few negative reviews made by a handful of people who never read a book, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But when multiple users who haven’t actually read a book start review-bombing a book, its rating becomes inaccurate for other users to follow, and entire platforms to leverage, as algorithms will stop suggesting the book to users who would actually want to buy and read the book. Not to mention, authors and publishers won’t get viable feedback on the book. So, everyone loses, especially readers. Well, except for those review bombers who aren’t even taking the time out to read the books they’re bombing in the first place. And what is it that they get out of it all exactly? A dishonest and dramatized endorsement of their bigoted or toxic views that no one asked for anyway?
Personally, I usually only rate books using the five-star scale when the book is a four or five-star book. If I do rate a book three or two stars, I offer polite feedback as to why, for the sole benefit of other potential readers so they can make their own judgments. And the criticism I offer is related to the content or structure of the book itself, and is never a personal attack on its author. I also try to make it abundantly clear that my rating and review is based on my opinion and reading preferences. And I try to offer feedback for who would likely enjoy the book I’m reviewing and rating, even if I did not enjoy it.
I’m not sure how platforms like Goodreads can prevent users who have never read a book from rating it, but if they ever figure it out, that would be much appreciated. Most users will probably agree that they don’t care about reviews left by users who haven’t read a book anyway. Why would they? Those ratings aren’t based on anything of merit, and are downright obnoxious. There’s enough arbitrary negativity in the world as it is. Can we please leave such arbitrary negativity off platforms like Goodreads?!
I would adamantly urge readers to be as kind as possible when leaving book reviews, especially if they didn’t care for a particular book. And to politely say why they didn’t care for a book when leaving a less favorable review. Authors work hard, and no one deserves to be personally bashed. Plus, only genuine reviews can help other readers pick out their next reads, and connect readers and authors with similar interests. Book reviews are not a personal diary; they are only for other readers and bookworms.
SOURCES
Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/review%20bombing
“The troubling rise of review bombing”. The Week. https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1024746/the-troubling-rise-of-review-bombing
“The secrets of 'review-bombing': why do people write zero-star reviews?”. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/mar/25/review-bombing-zero-star-reviews
“How Review-Bombing Can Tank a Book Before It’s Published”. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/26/books/goodreads-review-bombing.html
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Today’s Writing Prompt
Writing Prompt: Review-Bombed
Write a fictional scene in which you are an author who has just discovered your debut novel was review-bombed with negative reviews.
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I leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon. Whenever you read someone's book, you should leave a review, whether it's good or bad. That's how authors sell books.