There’s a lively debate and groups of infuriated authors and consumers over Amazon’s new policy banning “objectionable” material from its best sellers rank/search engine. The new Amazon policy has caused countless books and products (some intended, some not), to fall in sales rank thus sparking the widespread controversy.
Met with as much fury as the sales rank fall of “innocents”, is the new intended policy that will permanently change the ranking system for what Amazon deems “gay and adult themed books”.
May I say Amazon PR nightmare, train wreck now?
In response to a request for comment, Amazon went on record with the LA Times and explained the disappearing book/sales ranks a “glitch”.
I hope that’s the truth since I have always seen and experienced Amazon as an ally and asset for book sales and author promotion efforts.
Authors check your accounts immediately to be sure you were not innocently included in the sales rank fall and be advised, Amazon may take a while to address your concerns, if any. In my dealings with Amazon I’ve learned don’t have the staff to field and resolve real time author requests to say nothing of the overload this current public outcry must be creating. It’s best to contact your publisher if you have concerns with your titles, each has an Amazon account rep. that can deliver more timely responses to your concerns.
Want to see the trend in action at Twitter? #amazonfail: http://tinyurl.com/cmg4vg
Here the LA Times story: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c630a53ef01156f202135970c
Keep your finger on the pulse of your books, let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.
UPDATE:
4/13/2009 The New York Times updates the #Amazonfail story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/technology/internet/14amazon.html?_r=1&ref=business
