Amazon withdraws ebook explaining how to manipulate its sales rankings
Ebook claiming one can become a Kindle 'bestseller' simply by posting fake reviews temporarily removed from bookseller's listings
In The Day the Kindle Died, Thomas Hertog claims it is possible to get your own book to the number one bestseller spot in its category on Amazon simply by posting fake reviews, voting on them favourably and downloading copies of the Kindle ebook yourself.
Hertog claimed he managed to do just this with his own 2009 personal finance book Wealth Hazards, pushing it above books by established bestselling authors including Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump, despite having actually sold a mere 32 copies to third parties.
The author said it took him "about 45 days" to get the book to the number one spot in personal finance. "Not once was a review or vote rejected by Amazon," he wrote.
Hertog concluded that Amazon's bestseller rankings are "inaccurate", "contrived" and "misleading" to customers, saying his findings meant "the Kindle experience is dead".
Hertog published his exposé The Day the Kindle Died in December, but claims the title was taken down from Amazon's websites on New Year's Eve after an article about the book appeared on technology site TechEye. Wealth Hazards was also removed from the Amazon listings on New Year's Eve. Both books are now once again for sale on the site, but with their sales rankings and reviews now removed.
Hertog said the temporary removal of the books showed "hypocritical" behaviour by the retailer, which recently cited its anti-censorship beliefs during the controversy over Phillip R Greaves's A Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure, eventually removed from Amazon's site.
In a statement during the furore the retailer said: "Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable."
Hertog asked: "Does Amazon have a double standard? Do they fear the truth getting out? No one knows yet as they remain silent hoping their actions won't be noticed."
Amazon.com declined to respond to requests for comment yesterday.
