Now, you're probably wondering why that might be, as I was. Well, my view, for what it's worth, is twofold - can you have a twofold view? Anyway, I think that Goodreads is a readers site that attracts readers, and thus reviews. I know, you're thinking "how insightful", but bear with me. Amazon is a buyers or sellers site, and reviews are product reviews. Whereas the reviews on Goodreads are reader's reviews, which are shared with other readers - there's a different emphasis, I suppose. Also, and here's the "two" of the "fold", on Goodreads you can just leave a rating 1 to 5 stars, which many people do. On Amazon, you have to say something. I understand, you're in a rush, you don't want to leave without saying something, so you leave a quick rating. Hey! Life's a merry-go-round, a rollercoaster, a sturm und drang, so I understand. Much better a rating than an empty space, nothing, zilch. Also, people don't want to repeat what others have said, a rating is a rating, after all. And then, of course, and I've been there believe me, you've got writer's block. They want you to say a few words, say how wonderful the book was, or not as the case may be. For goodness sake, I just want to leave a rating - doesn't that convey my feelings? Why do you want me to write a critical essay? Well, if I can't simply leave a rating, then I'm leaving nothing. I'm just not in the mood to give you the gift of my words.
My understanding is that Amazon have bought Goodreads for a couple of bob. A bob was a shilling in old money for the uninitiated. If that's the case, then they ought to provide a link on Amazon to Goodreads, which would probably be in everyone's interest. There's a link back to Amazon on Goodreads, but not the other way round. Sort yourself out Jeff! Seems to me, Amazon are missing out on an opportunity for people to read the reviews on Goodreads, and also to increase the Goodreads' membership millionfold - that's a few more than two! So, that was the thing. I hope it gave you food for thought? Tim Ellis
1 Comment
marna k ehrech
5/13/2021 05:59:15 am
Yes, definitely ! Bezos is, imho, no longer human, so we'll not expect any such behavior from him!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorHi, I'm Tim Ellis - I write a lot and I hope you enjoy what I write. Archives
June 2019
Categories
All
|