New Review Drop Down Options

I checked one of my box sets and the only drop down menu was "how would you describe the plot" with the answers of "predictable, twists" and two others I can't remember. I tried to reload it (within 30 seconds) and it only shows the 5 star rating. Amazon is trying out different questions...

I'm surprised there's nothing for profanity. I expect this will cut down on reviews. I have to say, I find it strange.

I get far more on Goodreads and Audible because the process is easier. I worry that complicating it will decrease the number of people willing to give one.

I would like to see this kind information tacked on to more reviews because it gives potential new readers a clearer picture of content levels (like violence), which often go unmentioned in reviews by my usual readers/fans. That way, readers who don't like certain types of content. or, conversely, those who do can more easily find books that match their tastes and avoid those that don't. Tools that better help readers find books of interest are always useful.

However, I question how often these optional features would be used by more casual reviewers -- I figure the review blogger crowd will latch onto them pretty quickly -- seeing as they require extra effort on the part of people who tend to drop a few lines and hit submit. Interesting idea though, and I definitely think they could be useful and helpful to potential readers in the long run (if enough reviewers start using them regularly).

Actually if you go through the review system on the book page, you can ignore those boxes.  Or scroll down and hit traditional review.  I did both this morning.
Though I loved the boxes on the first one. 

Amazon appears to want more information for their algorithm searches.  For example, if you search for 'clean romance,' you'll have problems finding titles to fit that criteria.  With this type of reader feedback, Amazon will now be able to give you more accurate results if you search for 'clean romance' say, a year or two from now.  I wonder if Amazon is going to institute ratings filtering for sex and violence.  It would make sense in terms of marketing.  The only thing that doesn't make sense is rating the author's writing.  I would presume the number of stars chosen would be taking care of that already.

Avis,
Actually I loved that box.    Saves time and headaches if sum one rights like tis.  Or if they WRITE LIKE THIS.
The first one would get a poor the second one would get an okay. 
Not sure what put your pork in the oven to toast it would be.
Or if you put soy sauce on your pork, it will change the flavor of your chicken.  Today must be bad cookbook day.

Instead of this for reviews, I wish they'd make a section for the AUTHOR to post the answers to these questions that was outside the product description, so people could look and see "Oh, there's no sexual content, and low profanity" instead of us having to choose whether to focus on that in the product blurb, and reviewers wouldn't have to answer a question we could answer.

It must not have got to my account yet.  I'm not seeing that at all.

I sadly do not see them either. I feel left out now! LOL

Update,  they are on my laptop but not my tablet.

Arshness said:

Instead of this for reviews, I wish they'd make a section for the AUTHOR to post the answers to these questions that was outside the product description, so people could look and see "Oh, there's no sexual content, and low profanity" instead of us having to choose whether to focus on that in the product blurb, and reviewers wouldn't have to answer a question we could answer.

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I second this. Authors should be allowed to rate the content for violence, sex and profanity. But there should be specific categories not just "some" and "a lot"

As for a reader selecting the POV. I think that's funny. I wonder how many readers will get that wrong... And it's interesting that would even be a question.

dianapersaud said:

I second this. Authors should be allowed to rate the content for violence, sex and profanity. But there should be specific categories not just "some" and "a lot"

As for a reader selecting the POV. I think that's funny. I wonder how many readers will get that wrong... And it's interesting that would even be a question.

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There is an I don't know on the POV.
Maybe they put it there because so many authors harp on it or complain in reviews. Authors can review books too.
Amazon did what some of you asked. Some of whined about my book got called this by a reviewer so now reviewers can tag without putting in the actual review.

I see this as Amazon making it easier for readers to find what we want to read rather than relying on the author to put their books where they belong.
I found p0rn in inspirational today. I am pretty sure that is not an Amazon glitch.
Not all self publishers put in the wrong place but enough do that it is becoming a problem.

Ok so p0rn can be inspiring but that is a different idea.

I will always leave a written review for books I've written, I do this to help the author and help potential new readers but I realise not everyone does this as many see it as a chore. I think the drop down menu is a great idea, it gives someone the chance to add additional feedback about the book without having to write a blurb

Michael J Elliott said:

I will always leave a written review for books I've written, I do this to help the author and help potential new readers but I realise not everyone does this as many see it as a chore. I think the drop down menu is a great idea, it gives someone the chance to add additional feedback about the book without having to write a blurb

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Michael, we are talking about reviews not blurbs.

cinisajoy said:

Michael, we are talking about reviews not blurbs.

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sorry had a mental block and wrote blurb instead of review lol

I have no dropdowns. I'm not part of the cool kids.

Elizabeth Ann West said:

I have no dropdowns. I'm not part of the cool kids.

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Me, either. Sigh. I think it's a dumb idea. One person will think a love scene where someone touches a guy's cock it graphic, another will think "well there wasn't a threesome, so only some sex", etc. What I WOULD like to see is this option for authors to use.