The Goodreads Scandal: Unveiling Power Imbalances and Racism in the Publishing Industry

Goodreads, the popular book review platform owned by Amazon, is facing criticism for its inadequate moderation system after an author admitted to creating fake accounts to leave negative reviews on other authors' books, particularly targeting authors of color. Despite claiming to take the responsibility of maintaining the authenticity and integrity of ratings seriously, Goodreads' guidelines and enforcement mechanisms remain unclear. The platform's lack of verification processes and the ability for anyone in good standing to post reviews, including before a book's publication, has made it susceptible to review-bombing campaigns. Critics argue that Goodreads needs to implement more comprehensive moderation or internal tools to protect its users and authors who rely on the platform.