Friday, March 29, 2013

Goodreads Bought out by Amazon

So the news that Amazon bought out Goodreads, seems to be the biggest story out there for readers and authors at the moment!  The implications of this could be huge, and as a long time supporter of both sites, I have to admit being in a quandary.  As an author and reviewer, my biggest concern is that my reviews will no longer be allowed on Goodreads.  I think it's safe to say that most authors are also readers, and while one can't deny that there are some petty authors out there that attempt to sabotage books by false reviews, I don't think that's the norm.

So how will Amazon handle it's newest toy, Goodreads?  With over 16 million subscribers, this is definitely a big boon to the powerhouse and the potential if done correctly could be wonderful.  It could also end up destroying the legacy of Goodreads, as noted from reading all the comments of upset members on the site.  Since I've always been a glass half full type of person, I am going to say this will be a positive change.  If I'm wrong, it certainly won't be the first time, you can call me out on it later.

Let's look at the possible positives of the situation.  Reviews from Goodreads, at least for me personally, have always been higher.  Having those reviews cross over to Amazon could help readers decide if they want to purchase my book.  This gives authors the potential to reach many more people!  The community at Goodreads has easy to find labels for the type of books a reader is searching for.  If this is continued, readers will be able to easily find books with recommendations much easier than the boards Amazon currently utilizes.

Let me know what you think about the merger.  If nothing else, this will be an interesting situation to watch unfold!


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