Managing ARC Reader Applications
How to review, accept, and manage ARC reader applications — understanding reputation scores, completion rates, and making informed acceptance decisions.
Managing ARC applications effectively is the difference between a campaign that delivers 5 reviews and one that delivers 25. This guide teaches you how to evaluate applicants, make strategic acceptance decisions, and manage your reader pool.
What You'll Learn
- How to access and review incoming applications
- What each applicant metric means
- How to build an acceptance strategy
- Managing accepted readers during the campaign
Viewing Applications
- Navigate to Content > ARC Campaigns
- Click on your active campaign
- Select the "Applications" tab — this shows all pending, accepted, and rejected applications
Each application card shows the reader's profile and key metrics at a glance.
Understanding Applicant Metrics
Reputation Score (0-5 Scale)
The overall reviewer reliability rating, calculated from three weighted factors:
| Factor | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Completion Rate | 60% | Percentage of accepted ARCs where the reader submitted a review |
| Review Quality | 20% | Average author rating of the reader's past reviews (helpfulness, thoroughness) |
| Timeliness | 20% | Percentage of reviews submitted before the campaign deadline |
Reviewer Tiers
| Tier | Badge | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 🥉 | 0 - 2.5 | New or unreliable reviewer |
| Silver | 🥈 | 2.5 - 3.5 | Moderate reliability |
| Gold | 🥇 | 3.5 - 4.5 | Very reliable, consistently delivers |
| Platinum | 💎 | 4.5 - 5.0 | Top-tier, always delivers quality reviews on time |
Genre Match
A green checkmark (✅) next to a genre indicates the applicant's reading preferences match your book's genre. Genre-matched readers are more likely to enjoy your book and leave thoughtful reviews.
Acceptance Strategies
Conservative Strategy (Quality Over Quantity)
- Accept only Gold and Platinum tier reviewers
- Require 80%+ completion rate
- Accept fewer readers but expect higher review yield
- Best for: authors who need a small number of high-quality reviews
Moderate Strategy (Balanced)
- Accept Silver and above
- Require 60%+ completion rate
- Prioritize genre-matched readers
- Best for: most authors and most campaigns
Aggressive Strategy (Maximize Reach)
- Accept all applicants above Bronze
- Accept more readers than your target review count (expect 50-70% follow-through)
- Best for: new books needing maximum exposure
Pro Tip: If you want 20 reviews, use the moderate strategy and accept 30-35 readers. Typical completion rates on BookAuth are 65-75%, so this gives you a buffer.
Batch Actions
For campaigns with many applicants:
- Sort by reputation — descending to see the best reviewers first
- Filter by tier — show only Gold+ applicants
- Select multiple — use checkboxes to select several applicants
- Batch accept/reject — process multiple applications at once
After Acceptance
Once accepted, readers can:
- Download the ARC copy from their "My ARCs" page
- Read the book at their own pace (within the deadline)
- Submit their review directly on BookAuth
You can monitor progress in the campaign dashboard:
- Downloaded — reader has accessed the file
- Reading — reader has started (self-reported)
- Review Submitted — reader has posted their review
Communicating with ARC Readers
While BookAuth doesn't currently have a direct messaging feature for ARC campaigns, you can:
- Include reading instructions in your campaign description
- Send a newsletter to your subscriber list (many ARC readers are also subscribers)
- Update the campaign description with announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I see a reader's past reviews before accepting?
A: You can see their completion rate, review quality score, and tier. Individual past reviews are private to protect reader expression.
Q: What happens when I reject an application?
A: The reader receives a notification that their application was not accepted. No specific reason is given. Their reputation is not affected by rejection.
Q: Can I revoke access after accepting a reader?
A: Currently, accepted readers maintain access until the campaign ends. Contact support for exceptional circumstances.
Q: How quickly should I respond to applications?
A: We recommend reviewing applications within 48 hours. Fast response times keep reader enthusiasm high and increase the likelihood they'll actually read your book.
Related Articles
- Launching ARC Campaigns
- Tracking ARC Reviews & Completion Rates
- ARC Best Practices — Maximizing Review Yield
- Your Reviewer Reputation & Trust Score (Reader guide)