Read & Rate

Read & Rate is a community review exchange platform built specifically for self-published authors seeking more Amazon and Goodreads reviews. Members earn a virtual currency called InkDrops by reading and reviewing other authors' books, then spend those InkDrops to request reviews for their own titles. New authors receive 2,000 complimentary InkDrops on signup — enough to fund a first review request without paying.

The platform is designed for full compliance with Amazon's Community Guidelines — reviewers receive no rating instructions or content guidance, and Read & Rate maintains what it describes as a "zero-tolerance policy for incentivized reviews." Each review slot costs roughly 1,500–4,000 InkDrops depending on book length and price, and the company says most reviewers complete reviews within 14 to 21 days.

Beyond the free tier, paid plans add priority marketplace listing, file conversions, watermarked PDFs, monthly promotional UGC videos, and KDP listing analysis. A "Prelude" 14-day introductory plan is available at $0.99, followed by Standard and Premium monthly subscriptions (historically $10 and $20/month respectively). Authors can also purchase additional InkDrops à la carte from the dashboard.

• Best for: Self-published authors building their initial review count on Amazon who want a structured, compliant review community
• Key features: InkDrop virtual currency (2,000 free on signup), Amazon-compliant review exchange, watermarked PDFs, priority listings, monthly UGC videos, KDP listing analysis
• Pricing: Free tier with 2,000 starter InkDrops · Prelude $0.99/14-day intro · Standard ~$10/mo · Premium ~$20/mo · InkDrop top-ups available
• Note: As with all review exchange services, results depend on how actively you participate in reviewing others' books; third-party reviewers report momentum can drop off once reviewers hit their InkDrop quotas