ARCs and Goodreads
An Important Update on ARCs & Goodreads
I’ve been sending out ARCs (Advanced Review Copies) of new releases for years, and my ARC Angel team is truly fantastic! But you might not have heard of the latest changes for posting ARC reviews on Goodreads. I hadn’t. Here’s the scoop:
TL;DR
You can still leave pre-release reviews on Goodreads. Just mark the book as Read and select Author-provided ARC as the source.
What Goodreads Changed About ARC Reviews (Late 2025)
1. Reviewers must confirm they actually read the book
When someone reviews a not-yet-published book, Goodreads now requires them to confirm they’ve read it (even if they DNF).
This is meant to stop people from rating books they haven’t actually read.
2. Reviewers must say where they got the ARC
Before submitting a rating or review, reviewers are now asked to select the source of the copy, such as:
- NetGalley
- Goodreads Giveaway
- Author/publisher copy (use this one for my ARCs)
- Other source
This disclosure appears with the review so readers understand how the reviewer accessed the book.
3. “Want to Read” users can’t rate anymore
Readers who have only shelved a book as Want to Read can no longer rate it.
They must mark it Read or Currently Reading first.
This change targets the long-standing problem of people rating books before they exist.
4. “Not Yet Published” label
Goodreads added a clearer Not Yet Published tag on upcoming books so readers know they’re looking at early feedback.
5. Off-topic reviews are more likely to be removed
Goodreads says reviews that are not about the book itself (author drama, politics, speculation, etc.) may be hidden or removed if reported.
What This Means for ARC Readers
You now need to do two extra things when posting a review to Goodreads before the book is released:
- Mark the book Read or Currently Reading
- Choose where you got the ARC
Example workflow now:
Finish ARC → mark “Read” → write review → select “Author provided copy”
That’s it.