Dear Readers A few weeks ago I woke up to this message: Hello from Amazon.com 
We are writing to inform you that we have removed your review privileges and suppressed all of your reviews. Any new reviews written will automatically be suppressed. We took this action because you have failed to comply with our review guidelines and manipulated product reviews. For detailed information on the guidelines, please visit: http://amazon.com/help/customer-reviews-guidelines. Surprised and curious I asked them for clarification on the matter but have had no personal reply to my appeal. Amazon removed all of the reviews I wrote: 1700 of them without discussion or ‘trial’. Eventually I received this: Hello, 
We’ve removed Customer Reviews left by your account because it’s come to our attention that you have violated our policies by manipulating Customer Reviews. Any attempt to manipulate ratings, feedback, or Customer Reviews is prohibited. After reviewing your account, we’ve determined that your reviews will remain removed from the site. For more information, please review our Customer Review Guidelines (http://amazon.com/help/customer-reviews-guidelines). We will not be able to offer any additional insight or action on this matter. We appreciate your cooperation, Review Moderator Amazon.com You can see, they are not very forthcoming, despite their trigger happiness. I’d like to believe that they are trying their best to make the system credible but without bothering to tell me what my crime is and without effective deletion of troll reviews I am getting cynical. Every review is a “manipulation of customers”. Trolls and nasty people are doing their worst with full support of Amazon. I’m currently inundated with messages, some from irate authors assuming that ‘I have deleted the reviews of their book’. Apologies, this has nothing to do with me, neither do I know why this is happening. I’ve had plenty of questions from you: whether my reviews were verified purchases, whether I forgot to mention when I received a copy for the book etc. I cannot answer any of these questions as I do not know which specific review or ‘behaviour’ has triggered the alleged ‘violation’, nor have I violated their guidelines. 95% of my reviews were of books I bought through Amazon and I usually mentioned if I had been given a copy for review. All I can say is to assure you is that Amazon most likely has singled me out for one reason or another. Nobody else that I know of has been affected this way. Something similar has happened a few years back to a reviewer ranked #50, who is believed to have been reported by jealous ‘rival’ top reviewers. Then, too, there was no trial or discussion and his reviews never re-appeared. http://reviewsbyamoslassen.com
Strangely, the action against me by Amazon took place at a time when I hardly reviewed due to a family bereavement and house move. My ranking was dwindling anyway. I wonder if it could be the doing of one of a few disgruntled individuals, whose books I refused to review or who have taken issue with me in one of the Facebook groups. As moderator in several of them I have made enemies. Without word from Amazon, this is all useless speculation that I have long abandoned. 
None of this makes much sense – to my knowledge I have done nothing to provoke drastic action that shouldn’t have taken half of the other reviewers down with me. I worked hard to keep my integrity in all of my reviews and have nothing to apologise for. Amazon still hides behind automated, impersonal and Big Brother type replies without the need to provide evidence for their accusation, nor even disclose any further information, and not in the least interested in any possible defence. All that from the land of the free? In the US system, federal courts can use the writ of habeas corpus to determine if a state’s detention of a prisoner is valid. A writ of habeas corpus is used to bring a prisoner or other detainee before the court to determine if the person’s imprisonment or detention is lawful.
In the UK this was introduced in 1679 – Amazon has gone medieval.
In the future, I will review on their rival sites Smashwords and Itunes. I purchased 95% of the books I have reviewed on Amazon, a business that I will take elsewhere from now on. (Sorry, I am unable to transfer the 1700 reviews to all the new sites)
I will not reply to all comments on this, as I’m getting sick of the impact the drama has had on my life, my inbox and the time I could spend on communication. I thank you all for your support and kind messages and hope that Apple and Itunes will succeed in their endeavour to create more user-friendly interfaces for ibooks and bring Amazon down from its monopoly position that makes it so cocksure.
Reviewing I will continue to do. I leave my reviews on Goodreads, Booklikes and Rifflebooks.com anyway. I will not let a bully like Amazon dictate what I can or can’t do.
My advice to you is this: Keep branching out on all platforms: Itunes/ Ibooks. Smashwords, Kobo etc. Don’t let Amazon rule the world of boooks and reviews. Keep copies of all reviews written by and about you, so you can at least quote from them. Don’t be discouraged. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Follow on blog post on the subject: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/amazon-censorship-update-verdictwithouttrial-reviewcensorship-amazon/
writerchristophfischer 
Good advice, many thanks. Hope you’re ok Christoph – enjoy the peace of your new home. Don’t bother answering, I’m sure you have too many messages of good wishes to even try to annswer
Thank you Judith. I appreciate your support 🙂
WTF??? I can’t believe those slime-muffins took your review off my book. Blast it, I have hardly any reviews as it is.
Christoph, thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing that review. I could tell you had read the book. I could cry that they removed it.
This has not been a sublime Sunday at all…
I’m sorry other people have assumed it was you, and took their anger out on you.
I have to deal with upper-level managers venting their spite on me every time they’re tasked with anything from their boss. So i do understand how that feels.
Wishing you a better week. It can only get better, huh? Great big hug.
My reaction is exactly the same as you, Teagan, and I am purloining the term ‘slime-muffin’! These corporates need an enormous kick up the proverbial. Orwell must be rotating at speed in his grave at this world gone truly mad.
So true Sarah. Glad the term gave you a giggle — i hope it lightened Christoph’s day. Hugs.
Oh it did give me a giggle. 😉 Hugs!
I’ve just been reminded that it was today in 1949 he published 1984.
and his message lives on… 🙂
Thanks Sarah. 🙂
Thank you Teagan, and sorry to hear about your own dramas.
Sending you hugs and wishes to make the world a fairer and happier place. 🙂
Christoph, I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I know how important reviews are and that you made the time and put in the effort only to have it summarily deleted is horrendous. I truly hope the authors will understand, better yet I’d love to see them formally protest to Amazon in your defence.
I have a certain empathy for your position and a boulder on my shoulder re: these Draconian actions. Facebook employs the same tactic, I’ve been hit with it – slash first, no explanation, no recourse. The most unfortunate aspect of this modus operandi, is that it puts all the power in the hands of trolls, rednecks, jealous fools and the rest of their ilk.
I like your solution and hope many will look to other venues. Some competition might bring Amazon down a notch or three!
Thank you Karin 🙂
It’s truly unfair that Amazon can characterise you as having committed an offence bad enough to earn a ban. That inevitably raises questions in other people’s minds. It’s disgusting though that they offer no right of appeal. No opportunity to face an accuser or to offer up a reasonable explanation. You don’t even know how thorough their investigations (if any ) are.
Maybe it’s time all reviewers emailed Amazon and asked that they create a method of appealing these decisions that don’t even allow the accused to know their crime. After all, as you’ve proved no-one is exempt.
I’m sure your reviews on the other sites will be greatly appreciated Christoph and let’s hope they don’t carry a similar policy.
Hugs
Thanks for the support David. Onwards and upwards 🙂
Oh no,. sooo unfair!
Yes it is. Thanks for the support Vera 🙂
So sorry of hear of your troubles. Sounds like a whole lot of BS. Good luck!
Thank you 🙂
Sorry dude- that’s unfair – if it was really from Amazon, they should be ready to give you an explanation and a chance to correct anything you may have overlooked or whatever! Shall I send a heavy duty hairball fur ya? 😾
Yes please 😉
Thank you for the support 🙂
One industrial strength hairball on the way (air mail)!😹
Christoph, I’m shocked to read what amazon have done and can’t believe their dictatorial attitude. It makes me see them in a new light. So sorry this has happened to you, especially in the midst of your other personal traumas. Wishing you well and hope there might be some resolution (I know very unlikely).
Thank you so much for your support 🙂
Many thanks for highlighting this problem with Amazon. I’m already aware of a few authors and reviewers who have had one or several reviews removed with little or no real explanation given. This must be very frustrating for you given Amazon’s refusal to explain why, but well done on refusing to accept this and continuing to post your reviews elsewhere…
Thank you for your support 🙂
I feel for you and I can relate. There are a few people that I can’t review their works. Like you I have bought the books. I am told this is because they are “friends” of mine. Their emails are just as worthless. Here are a couple. What got me is I tried to explain to them how this author deserved the review and how I bought their book and wanted to let everyone know how I felt. That didn’t help. I don’t think it would matter what I would hav e said to them. It is a hardship in my opinion.
Hello,
We have received your response and have reviewed your account and Customer Review posted on the book ${TITLE}.
We are unable to post your review because your account activity indicates that you know the author. We encourage family and friends to share their enthusiasm for the book through our Customer Discussions feature or Editorial Reviews feature.
To find Customer Discussions, go to the book’s product detail page, scroll down past Customer Reviews, and click on the Start a Discussion button. To have your Editorial Review posted to the detail page, e-mail it directly to the author so they can add it for you.
Thank you,
—
Sunny Z.
review-appeals@amazon.com
Hello,
It has come to our attention that you have violated the Customer Review Guidelines. Using Customer Reviews as a way to gain financial or competitive advantage is prohibited. We don’t allow artists, authors, developers, manufacturers, publishers, sellers or vendors to write Customer Reviews for their own or directly competing products. This includes posing as an unbiased shopper and writing positive reviews for your own products or posting negative reviews on competing products. Additionally, family members or close friends of the person, group, or company selling on Amazon are not allowed to write Customer Reviews for those specific items to avoid bias.
Please understand that failure to comply within our guidelines will result in the removal of your Amazon.com reviewing privileges. For more information on this policy, please refer to our Amazon customer review guidelines (http://amazon.com/help/customer-reviews-guidelines) and FAQs (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=201077870).
We appreciate your cooperation.
Regards,
Review Moderation
Amazon.com
Thank you so much for sharing this Brenda. That is another ridiculous practice of Amazon, especially since we all know how publishing houses have their review armies in place for all of their new releases.
I’m sure you want to move on from this but I wonder if an old fashioned letter of complaint to the Managing Director and copied to your MP or prominent newspaper might get you an explanation. It’s so easy to ignore emails. So sorry this has happened. Reading books and writing reviews takes a lot of work. You should be able to have an explanation of their actions that is understandable and hopefully an apology.
I understand that Amos, whom I mentioned in my post, did everything possible to be reinstated and wrote hundreds of emails and Amazon never made an official reply to papers and pressure groups (he wrote predominantly reviews for gay novels).
After a few attempts to get a personal reply I have given up because the treatment was utterly undignified. I’m moving on and my reason for blogging about this at all was not to cry over spilt milk and play the victim but to tell people to branch out and not to make themselves dependent on Amazon alone. Reviewers and authors have alternatives and they should be aware of how Amazon is prepared to use its power. I wasted far too much energy on Amazon already.
Thank you, thought, for the encouragement and the wonderful support 🙂
Mr. Fischer, if I were you I’d be very careful about the company being kept. Lassen was found to have plagiarized a significant portion of his catalog of reviews, which was what led to his removal. Your link even supplies evidence of this: direct comparisons of the original posts Lassen lifted from to his own reviews as well as the link to the Amazon thread where it was discovered, “Plagiarism in a Review”. Not being able to speak to the reasons behind Amazon’s traditionally heavy-handed actions in your case, aligning yourself with someone so obviously guilty doesn’t help your case.
Maybe Lassen is guilty – I haven’t fully studied his case. I know his “guilt” is heavily disputed and I respect your opinion on the matter as much as I do that of those who disagree. I have not taken sides in his case, I use it merely to show Amazon’s unwillingness to communicate or discuss its decisions.
Maybe I am guilty by Amazon’s standards, too. I can’t agree with them without knowing specifics.
My point is about not being told what I did, not being shown evidence of my ‘violation’ and not having a right to appeal.
Reblogged this on and commented:
I find this disgusting for the very fact that there didn’t seem to be any attempt to contact the writer of said reviews before taking action. Whatever – review on Christoph!
Thank you for the reblog and the support 🙂
Hello.
This has not happened to me, but it would not surprise me if it did!
There is a world beyond Amazon, and perhaps we should all investigate it.
Don´t be downhearted.
Thank you – I agree about there being a world beyond Amazon and I am not downhearted. I was a little at first because it happened at a difficult time for me. I’ve blogged now because the issue is further digested and I’ve moved on.
Wishing you many happy, quirky days in Spain 🙂
Wow. Just wow. The most disconcerting thing is that you never got a “human” response. So sorry this happened to you. 😦
Thanks for your support 🙂
I agree, at some point I would have expected a personal response. I understand that Amazon had hundreds of emails regarding Amos, whom I mention in the post. They never replied to even one of them. I’m glad I didn’t do that.
Onwards and upwards and over to Smashwords, itunes and everywhere else 🙂
Buenos días Christoph 🌅 I am so overwhelmingly sorry for what tú have had to endure. You’re truly one of the good guys. I pray your vindication in
this matter. All things reveal themselves in due course. That’s my belief. I do believe that this is the work of a person(s) with personal issue towards tú. Unfortunately we may never know. But KARMA is ABSOLUTE…. The universe has a way of doing that. Gracias for your advice, sharing your story y not giving up or in. Tú will persevere mí amigo. My prayers y Blessings to tú y your familia. Here are a few other sites that I also review on besides Amazon. 📚 (Barnes and Noble, Librarythings, Shelfari, my MySpace Blog y my Google) 📚 Stay wonderful mí amigo 😊 Blessings y Overwhelming Success!!! 💝
Thank you so much for your warm support and for the tips. No need to feel sorry for me. I, too, believe in Karma and a lot of positive things have come out for me through this; if nothing else, it’s shown me the support I have inthe community and made me stronger as a person, like all hurdles in life do. Many many thanks ❤
Reblogged this on nativemericangirl's Blog and commented:
Something every Author, Reviewer y Reader should read….. #IARTG #BOOKS #BLOGS
Thank you for the re-blog 🙂
Gosh, how awful! That saying must be true – no good deed goes unpunished. Sorry for your experience. I am an author and a reviewer…and always say when the book was given to me for review. Otherwise they are bought as I do love reading and think it’s important to read as it can only enhance my writing.
I have risen in the ranks of reviewers, maybe it’ll be my turn to be pushed away. I do leave reviews on Goodreads too. But maybe I should branch out to Smashwords etc?
Just enjoy the reading.
Thank you Julie. Branching out seems the answer. Take from Amazon what we can but not give them the exclusivity and the power that they seek and are happy to abuse.
Happy reading and writing to you, too 🙂
What a bunch of jerks.
Yes, we can use your words 😉
I can’t figure out Amazon, nor will I try. They allow trolls to leave bad reviews and yet they take an honest, verified review away. Reviews count, but it’s not everything. We must branch out, and like you said, take some of their power away. No worries here. Take care.
Thank you for your support 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about this, Christoph and did actually save the two reviews you very kindly wrote for me so I have copies of them. I think the way Amazon have treated you is deplorable. It takes time and effort to write reviews and appreciate everything you did for many authors. I hope one day they’ll explain their policy a little better.
Thank you Helen 🙂
Reblogged this on evaDlivE Blog and commented:
Amazon goes off half cocked again….
Thanks for the reblog 🙂
I could write a book on my dealings with the almighty Zon, Christoph. It pains me to see you have to deal with such tripe! You are one of the most giving people I’ve ever encountered…this is just a blip on the radar, my friend. You are loved and respected by so many. Whoever or whatever caused this did a great disservice to so many!
Hold your head up, take care of yourself and your family, and to hell with Amazon!
You are a prince and I’m so proud to call you my dear friend❤️
Thank you Taylor. The support I have experienced over this has been amazing and I will carry on the best I can, always with my head held up high 😉 ❤
Reblogged this on 2sheepinthecity's Blog and commented:
Amazon strikes again. Scary.
Thanks for the re-blog and sharing the information 🙂
Shizzle. You know how I feel about this, so I won’t say any more here. Just know that I support you and I’ll have to learn about other book distribution sites… 😦
Thank you for yoru support 🙂
Always, C!
I’m simply amazed that this has happened, Christoph, because unlike other top reviewers you purchased many of the books you reviewed, including mine. I still pray that Amazon will reconsider their decision. I hope this will turn out for the best.
Thank you for your support 🙂
Christoph, it is so very sad that it has come to this because you have obviously done nothing wrong and (frankly, even more importantly) indie authors have willingly given so much control to Amazon. It is NEVER good to allow a company to have such a monopoly. Our only answer is diversity. Smash-words, iTunes & any other alternative – we MUST embrace! I appreciate your thoughtful reviews ~ your effort has been extraordinary! God bless you & yours. You have my support, my friend ~ we are definitely on the same page!
Thank you Marsha 🙂
I can’t speak in defense of Amazon’s practices because I’m not entirely familiar with every step along the way, on the other hand I do want to offer a point of fact I’ve not seen mentioned in this conversation. This decision was not made by human beings, it was made by a general algorithm programmed to look for suspect patterns and anomalies. If a human being was ever involved in what happened with your reviews past the initial construct and programming I’d likely be shocked. The algorithm looks for statistical outliers and if a person fit heavily into one of them or moderately into a few the process that ensued in your case would unfold. And again, all by computers without a person looking at anything along the way. This is how these things are done today, on all sites with review systems. With 1,600 reviews you’ve given them quite a bit of data to pull statistically significant conclusions from. Of course, what those conclusions might be we don’t know because as you’ve said you were not told. That’s an aspect of the functions of the algorithm and it’s intentional, not telling the reasons is programmed in. They don’t want people knowing what it is the program looks for because then people would find workarounds, even if you cared to try you’d never be told the reason.
I’m not defending this business practice, or maybe I am, because if I put myself into the position of being in charge of regulating reviews for both patterns and anomalies I cannot think of a practical alternative solution for such volume. I’m also unsure I’d want the decision left open to human bias (subconscious included), with the algorithm all reviews are most certainly evaluated using identical criteria, an impossibility in a mass of human beings.
I’d not take the decision made by a computer generated mathematical evaluation personally.
I agree with the need for automation but at some point human interaction needs to come into play and give actual, real people a right to appeal and defend themselves. Neither humans nor machines are infallible and Amazon should treat people with a little more respect than they did.
So………where does this leave your reviews?
Exactly…
Yes, I agree, more respect and consideration would be nice… I don’t see it happening with Amazon. I took some time here because I looked up the agreement we all enter in before reviewing, all that fine print no one ever reads, anyone who reviews has agreed to this outcome and if you don’t agree to it then you can’t review, it’s not negotiable. Their way or no way. I am not at all saying this is right, I don’t think it is, I also don’t see an approach to change it except to buy and review books through other stores, a competitor like Barnes & Nobles. One reason Amazon has such a stranglehold on book sales is because we give it to them, we could be buying from other stores and authors could put more focus on marketing and advertising on behalf of the other stores who carry their books. The only way to possibly change Amazon is to damage their bottom line by avoiding them.
I use a very unique search engine / shop & earn / survey / so much more / site where I earn points for the mentioned plus other activities which I turn back into cash through gift cards. The rewards for the shop & earn program are far better than those of any credit card program out there (anywhere from 1 to 25 points per dollar spent) and you can still use your credit card programs on top of the site earnings. I mention this because Barnes & Noble is partnered through this site but Amazon Books isn’t. If you’re a frequent book buyer points can add up to dollars quickly and if you’re a book seller it’s a small bonus feature you can use for to promote your books carried by B&N. The site is called Swagbucks, I’ve used it for years and have accumulated a few thousand dollars in gift cards during that time, check it out and if you’d like use my share link and we each earn an extra 150 SB’s if you sign up through me: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/EclecticGive – I’m not telling you of this as blatant self-promo though, at my level that’s not big earnings for me but it would be to a newbie just joining… From a marketing perspective I do think it’s good incentive integration for B&N booksellers.
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
That’s terrible, Christoph! I think your reviews are fair and helpful. I completely understand what you’re feeling, only my problem is with Goodreads. I never got a communication from them I just couldn’t access my account. This was 6-8-15 and I sent them a question about it. I don’t know how long this will take or if they will even respond.
At least Amazon has a phone connection, Goodreads doesn’t. @v@ ❤
It’s a mad mad world. Thanks for the re-blog ❤
Reblogged this on newauthoronline and commented:
This is Kafkaesque and reminds one of the unfottunate Joseph K in Kafka’s book, “The Trial”. Readers will remember that Joseph is on trial but no one in authority will tell him what his alleged crime is. Kevin
I thought of Kafka often during this 😀
What? No trial. No jury. No explanation. Wrong. Mind-boggling. Automated and again w.r.o.n.g. 😮
Mind-boggling indeed. Thanks for the support 🙂
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
REVIEWERS – Please be aware…
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
Reblogged this on The 960 Writers and commented:
This is a disgusting practice and shines a light on the problem of one company dominating the market — they can do what they want!
Check and see if the wayback machine has a copy. If you blog here perhaps you could just copy your review here for posterity. What a pain.
THIS >> “Keep branching out on all platforms: Itunes/ Ibooks. Smashwords, Kobo etc.
Don’t let Amazon rule the world of books and reviews.”
Oh, that we could lead an army. I don’t blame you for not wanting to reply to these replies, Christoph, I’d be fed up too. What I don’t understand, though, is that you haven’t been deleted from other countries…
com and co.uk are separate legal entities and operate to different policies and standards. .com deleted all my reviews, co.uk. left them. I was banned from .com but had no such notification from co.uk. When I tried to leave a new review on co.uk a few days ago it denied me the privilege. Go figure…
We can lead an army: one that votes with its feet. Walk away from Zon’s most profitable platform: e-books. Smashwords can format for Kindle, so who needs Zon for digital? When I published my paperback, I refused to authorize CreateSpace to send my file to Kindle. I’ve never been there for them to exploit with “free” e-book schemes that artificially inflate their own “best-seller” statistics, and which would pay me nothing, while enabling Zon to rake in millions from monthly subscriptions by readers who think they’re buying e-books, but who are really only renting them.
Couldn’t agree more!
Umm … I don’t know if you folks realize, but if you use Createspace at all, you’re using Amazon. The same with Goodreads. They own both.
And all that not letting CS send the file to Kindle does is make sure that you don’t have an e-book that’s formatted for crap. It’s not a major statement.
Smashwords is great for getting books onto Nook and iTunes with a lot less hassle, but it’s pretty useless for selling books to Kindle users. Sure, the format’s there – but a good portion of Kindle users don’t know anything about sideloading – and supposedly if your book is popular enough, they will aggregate it to Amazon – which would again defeat your purpose, of course. But Amazon’s pretty much the real game in town. At the moment, at least.
I’m sure I’ve had a few of my reviews deleted on Amazon. The number seems to fluctuate a bit, but I just don’t care that much about them to keep proper track. Once they’re posted, it’s out of my hands and more power to whoever wants to muck around with them.
Yes, I knew that about CreateSpace, but all I wanted from them was the paperback print-on-demand service. I write literary fiction, and the kinds of books that do well on e-readers tend to be the short, “commercial” or genre fiction, so whether or not the Smashwords aggregator sent my book to Amazon would be immaterial. If enough of the Indies who do write the popular e-reader stuff turned their backs on Kindle, Amazon might get the message. I realize that getting people to take that course of action is highly unlikely, but it’s still worth it to float the notion. You never know what will work.
Reblogged this on KATE JACK'S BLOG and commented:
Book reviewers beware.
You certainly have my full support. I have been adding Smashwords information to every tweet and ad I put out. Amazon’s tactics are not appreciated or condoned by me.
Thank you 🙂
This is outrageous treatment, especially the fact that they will not give you any valid reason. We would appreciate your posting any reviews you want to on your blog. They will certainly be read by fellow bloggers.
Thanks. I post reviews here almost every day 🙂
What a shame, Christopher. I’d suggest that they give you your money back for every book you purchased that you aren’t allowed to review! It makes no sense at all. Thank you for your kind review on Goodreads. That meant a lot to me.
My pleasure.
If it didn’t hurt the authors, I certainly would be tempted to refund as many books as I can. Further purchases will be made at Smashwords and Itunes. So get your books there 😉
Reblogged this on Kentucky Mountain Girl News and commented:
This stunned me and made me leery of putting any reviews up on Amazon in future. If anyone else has had this problem, please leave a comment. I am going to do a little more research on this and see how often this happens.
Reblogged this on Riley Amos Westbook.
Creepy!
While I agree that Amazon has created a monopoly, I also have become aware of too many people violating the rules. Fake reviews are being paid for cheaply, and it needs to stop. Unfortunately, that means good people like yourself are also going to get hit. Amazon needs to clean up their entire company – in all departments – and do a major overhaul. I’ve written about this on my own blog several times, and it’s long overdue.
Authors have no control over their content with Amazon. Period.
Reblogged this on hmjones66 and commented:
Hmmm…This is something to think about, for sure.
Reblogged this on Author P.S. Bartlett.
That is scary. Thank you so much for sharing!
Reblogged this on and commented:
All authors and book reviewers read! This is a must!
Thank you, Mr. Fischer, and I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve this kind of treatment from Amazon. I hope you don’t mind if I reblog your post, too.
Thanks Linda. Of course I don’t mind. Many thanks 🙂
What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Chris, I’m sorry to hear about your reviews being removed, on top of other things occurring in your life.
I like Amazon’s competitive prices, but I’m taking my business and reviews elsewhere.
We have to hit ’em where it hurts.
I’m reblogging this.
MJ
Thank you for your support and the re-blog 🙂
Reblogged this on MJ's Marvelous Book Blog and commented:
Authors and book reviewers, be aware of Amazon’s customer reviews guidelines. They should be targeting the paid reviewers.
MJ
Earlier this week, I was debating about making all my books exclusive with Amazon. I won’t be doing that, especially after reading this post. This incident is a sad and infuriating reminder that authors need to support other sales channels. A monopoly would be a very dangerous thing.
Thanks for your support Tricia. 5 out of my 8 books are no longer exclusive to Amazon and I’m working on the transfer of my other books 🙂
Christoph; I can only imagine your frustration. I like your ‘take it to the competition’ response. Brilliant!
I had a problem posting a review to Amazon once. A small problem compared to yours but annoying. They wouldn’t post my review and all they said was check their guidelines. I had to change the wording three times before they accepted my review. I still don’t know what they didn’t like. Although, when I removed the word, “transgender” , hey, presto, my review was posted. Maybe, I’m cynical.
I will continue to post most of my reviews on Goodreads.
Good luck and my sympathy 🙂
Thank you for your support. Great to come across your blog this way 🙂
Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes and commented:
What’s going on?
omnipresentstardust makes an interesting point, but it’s still shocking… So sorry it something like this should happen to you! 😦
I support your decision to not give Amazon any more of your time or money, especially after your loss of work. Just to say, Goodreads is an Amazon company. The UK organisation Ethical Consumer has a good web guide of how to avoid giving Amazon any more of your cash or time.
Thanks. I’m aware of the connection between Amazon and Goodreads and also review on rifflebook.com and Booklikes to keep my reviews.
I’m going to post another blog post later today that also mentions the lesson learned about ethical consumerism 🙂
Pingback: Amazon Review Censorship – Update #verdictwithouttrial #amazon | writerchristophfischer
Update here: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/amazon-censorship-update-verdictwithouttrial-reviewcensorship-amazon/
How frustrating for you. So sorry you have been targeted. It makes no sense.
Thanks Selena ❤
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Hello Mr Fischer! I’m new comer here and on this. But after reading this blog, or even before finishing it, I already felt truly sorry for this happened to you. Personally, I just don’t like any such thing has happened to anyone. Because it makes me feel one individual is so weak compared to the power of “Big Brother”. Sadly, no “Big Brother” has appreciated one’s great effort before they enforce the power. Yet, I’m with you! Good luck with everything in your future! And thanks for sharing your thoughts here!:)
Thank you for your kind words and support 🙂
I’m new comer here as well and I have to agree with the poster above and many of the others – I am truly sorry for this to have happened to you.
I will likely do as you suggest with your reviews – branch out to more than just Amazon (basically I do them there and Goodreads).
I also post my reviews to my own blog. Not that I would try to import back 1,700 in a situation like yours, at least the authors would know their review was still online somewhere (and if I leverage your comments – they will now be elsewhere as well)
Thank you for your support and best of luck for your blog and yoru reviewing 🙂
Wow. What a nightmare. I’m so sorry this happened to you, Christoph. When I heard it was you in their cross-hairs my immediate reaction was, there must be some mistake. He’s a stand-up guy. No need to answer. I just wanted to wish you well. Thank God I keep copies of my reviews. Who knew this could happen?!
Thank you. Your support is appreciated 🙂
Good job on keeping the reviews 😉
Reblogged this on The GUNDERSTONE review.
Hi I am sorry that this has happened to you but I am just wondering If you had bought a book on a different site or received a free coy of a book to review from the aurthor? If you did that is probably why your reviews were removed.
I wish it were that simple. I bought 95% of the books and always said when I received a book for review. You do not need to buy a book on Amazon to review it, only be a customer who once bought something from them. Individual reviews are occasionally deleted for reasons like this (not stating you got a copy for review), not 1700. The whole point of my post is that I am not being told why this has happened. I spent my time guessing but am none the wiser.
Thank you for your support and comment 🙂
Thanks for explaining. I had noticed the missing review, but hadn’t understood why.
I know how long it takes me to write a review (and I’ve only managed half a dozen or so this year, so I can’t imagine how frustrating that must be for you.
I’m not in a position to do so yet, but I will make sure Ravens Gathering and any future books are available on other platforms.
All the best
Thanks and all the best to you, too 🙂
This strange and unfortunate situation really upset me. I am a fighter of causes and would like you to find a lawyer to take on Amazon. Well, realistically this may not happen or be possible. Keep your chin up. I was sorry to hear in theidst of this of your loss. Not sure if family or friend, but this is always a tough emotional time.
Thank you. The personal tragedy put things into perspective for me. Life goes on, both in the family and in the publishing world.
Many thanks for your kind words and the support 🙂
I have never been able to use Amazon because for some reason they refuse to recognize my email address, and I refuse to get another address. The more I read about Amazon, the luckier I feel.
We writers need to stop relying on people like this. Sorry to hear of your trouble with them.
Thank you 🙂
Amazon is without doubt a monopoly holding bully. But Amazon don’t do things without reason. Why would they? I don’t hold with their refusal to debate with you and explain their reason in detail. But I’m curious. 1700 reviews requires 1700 books read. Reading a book a day (almost impossible) would take 4.6 years to read them. How many years have you been reviewing?
Thank you.
I agree that Amazon probably has a reason for its actions and most likely wants the best for its customers and sales.
Sometimes these automated algorithms can be faulty and affect innocent people. Alternatively, a ‘guilty’ party could stop the offending behaviour if it were explained what it was doing. I would cooperate if being communicated to in a normal manner.
As for the 1700 reviews: I have been reading since I was a teenager so a lot of the books reviewed had been read over the span of several decades, not within quite such a short space. I also reviewed the odd Samsung tablet or CD. I began leaving reviews on Amazon in 2010. Working nightshifts as a carer and as cabin crew on longhaul flights it is very easy to read more than one book a day.
With all my reviewing I was ranked #150 on Amazon in their reviewer list. If ‘volume of reviews’ were the criteria then more heads should roll.
We’re back to guessing.
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Still sharing your frustration. I asked a lawyer friend of mine about this, and basically he said Amazon makes the rules and isn’t required to give you any explanation why they removed your reviews. I asked him about the “innocent until proven guilty” argument, he said it’s only used in criminal cases. 😦
Thank you for your support and your enquiry on my behalf. I appreciate it 🙂
Amazon is not the Federal Gov’t; it’s a privately owned site and sets its own rules on how it operates- same as any other private venue. People can’t tell you how to do things in your house, can they? Not saying I wouldn’t like a little more transparency or customer friendly service- I’ve butted heads with them a few times- but even so, I know what I’m dealing with.
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Oh my gosh. This is awful.
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Good for you staying strong and fighting back. Hopefully if everyone bands together, this tyranny can be stopped.
In other news, thanks for following me.
Thanks, and my pleasure 🙂
I’m off to find out how to re-blog this. So sorry this happeend to you Christoph 😦
Thank you 🙂
Ah yes big brother is and has always been watching since the advances in technology have made it possible to be so. Corporate giants are the master minds behind such things and elected officials are mere puppets. People complain about leadership and how it needs to change but simply elect another puppet of a different stripe. Very interesting blog. Cheers.
Thank you 🙂
Reblogged this on Reading For The Masses and commented:
And that’s why i have a Kobo and not a Kindle. Support the smaller companies! Don’t let Amazon take over the world!
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Total BS. We hard working writers and readers will never, ever find out why our reviews are deleted, yet the trolls continue to rule.
Sadly very true 🙂
I’ve become increasingly frustrated with Amazon. I mostly stopped writing reviews a while back. But I’ve still been commenting on other people’s reviews. Even that is getting frustrating. My comments get deleted all the time. It usually seems to involve a particular word on their forbidden list or so I assume.
Recently, it has been different. I came across a “reviewer” who was writing a lot of negative fake reviews where it as obvious that he hadn’t read any of the books. Somehow this guy has learned to game the system and whenever I posted criticisms of his behavior he was able to get my comments deleted.
I’ve reported this person. But I don’t have any faith that it will make any difference. I think I will stop even writing comments. It’s just a waste of time.
They did the same to me. I am complaining to the BBB as I write. I am posting it to Google Plus. I wrote to Bezos. Reviewed Amazon on Consumer Affairs which they probably won’t post. We need a review site that is independent and uncensored. Just like in other ways the corporations can’t be trusted. Sites have no business deciding what gets posted if they are honest. The content is for the writer to write and the reader to read and interprete like an adult.
Let me add that I’m using TrustPilot. They realize the responsibility should be with the author. They have no moderation and instant publishing. There is not much sense reviewing in any other system.