How Do You Get Reviews for a New Ebook?
Quick Answer: Run an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) campaign four to six weeks before launch, put a review request with a direct Amazon link in your back matter, and email your subscriber list two to three weeks after publication asking for honest reviews. These three methods together cover launch-day reviews, ongoing organic reviews, and a targeted one-time ask.
Getting reviews requires asking for them deliberately. Most readers who enjoy a book will not leave a review unless prompted. The prompt needs to be easy (one click to the review page), well-timed (after they've finished reading), and low-pressure (asking for an honest review, not demanding a five-star rating).
The Three Core Methods
ARC campaign. Recruit 20 to 40 readers through your email list, ARC platforms (BookSirens, Hidden Gems, BookFunnel), and genre communities. Send the manuscript four to six weeks before launch. Expect 20 to 40% to post a review. This gives you 6 to 15 reviews on or near launch day.
Back matter request. On the final page of your ebook, include a short, friendly request for a review with a clickable link to your Amazon review page. This generates reviews passively over the life of the book. It's often the highest-volume review source for ebooks that sell consistently over time.
Email follow-up. Two to three weeks after launch, email your subscriber list with a personal request to leave a review. Include the direct link. Send this once, not repeatedly.
What Not to Do
Don't buy reviews from services that guarantee positive ratings. Amazon detects and removes them, and accounts can be suspended. Don't ask family and friends whose purchases or accounts Amazon might connect to yours. Don't offer incentives beyond the free ARC copy. Don't follow up repeatedly with people who haven't reviewed; one ask is enough.
Bottom Line
Start with ARC readers for launch-day reviews, build in a back matter request for ongoing reviews, and send one email follow-up to your list. These three strategies require minimal time and produce consistent results. For the full review strategy, see Review Generation Strategies for Ebook Authors.
Q: How many ARC readers should you recruit? A: 20 to 40 for a first book. Expect a 20 to 40% review completion rate. Recruiting 30 readers typically yields 6 to 12 launch-day reviews.
Q: How long after launch should you ask for reviews? A: Wait two to three weeks so readers have time to finish the book. Asking immediately after launch, before anyone has read it, produces fewer reviews because the request arrives before the reader is ready.