Amazon Helpful Votes...

[reviews_and_ramblings]

... what is the mystery under them?

I really don't understand. I know that they are used to rank the review, and probably to rank also the reviewer, better I'm sure they are used for that, but I really don't understand how they are given and by whom.

I have a lot of helpful positive votes, 88% on the total, so I'm very grateful to people who click on "yes" this review was helpful for me, and tried to ignore the 12% of negative votes, but today I notice something really strange. I was the first to review a book, and, even if I shouldn't say it, my review was good, not only since I loved the book, but also since people, publisher and author told me so.

So I posted my review on Amazon, and for a bit I was alone and no helpful positive vote. Then today I received a negative vote... and guys that made me think, since I really think my review was good. So I click on the book and noticed that the same book has now two other reviews, five stars like me, and from two frequently reviewer like me. And they both had two helpful positve votes! Why me not? (pout).

But the most strange thing is when I post a good review, or at least a review that gives an idea of the book, when maybe there isn't even the product description (and this happens often) and I'm the only review, and someone click the helpful negative button... what the hell have I said to make that people click on the negative button?

It's not the first time I discuss this matter with other Amazon reviewers, Jetm in primis, but I read also a blog by Amos Lassen... but I'd like to listen also to my friends opinion, are those votes really "real", are they indicative of a good review or not?

Comments

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that the person who gave you a negative review might have had trouble with your English. I happen to love your Italian accent when you write, but someone coming across it the first time might not have the patience to get everything you're saying. You might have gotten a negative review from that.

Funnily enough, I was actually speaking to my therapist this morning about exactly this thing--what should matter is how you feel about that review. If you loved it, that's what's important. Unfortunately, not everyone will love what you love. That's something I'm trying to beat into my own head so I'll actually enjoy writing again....

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know that the important thing is that the book left me something, and that I loved it and loved writing the review. This is the only thing that I need to consider. Thank you, Elisa