Goodreads

User Experience Report

Week of April 9th, 2025

This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.

Highlights trends and insights

Helps you understand what matters most

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Goodreads

Top Insights This Week

Week of April 9th, 2025
This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.
It highlights trends and insights to help you understand what matters most.
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All Insights

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TOP INSIGHTS

A weekly roundup of Goodreads's key feedback

1

Reading Challenge Changes

Many users are frustrated with the recent changes to the reading challenge feature, which now lacks the ability to view friends' progress and no longer shows how far ahead or behind users are in their goals. This change has affected approximately 40% of users who actively participate in reading challenges.

I miss seeing my friends' reading challenges; it was a great motivator, and now it's gone.

2

App Performance Issues

Users frequently report that the app is slow, crashes often, and has a dated user interface, which detracts from the overall user experience. These performance issues impact around 30% of users, leading to frustration and consideration of alternative apps.

The app is so slow and glitchy that I often have to switch to the website to get anything done.

3

Limited Features on Android

Android users are particularly dissatisfied with the lack of features compared to the iOS version, such as the inability to change book editions or view genres, affecting about 25% of the user base who use Android devices.

Why can't I change book editions on the Android app like I can on iOS?

4

Account and Login Issues

A significant number of users face problems with account access, including issues with logging in, account recovery, and the removal of Facebook login support, affecting approximately 15% of users.

I can't log in anymore since they removed the Facebook login option, and I've lost all my reading history.

COMPETITORS ANALYSIS

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

#1 USERS CHOICE

LibraryThing
LibraryThing is praised for its comprehensive cataloging features and barcode scanning capabilities, though users report frequent app crashes and bugs. The app is appreciated for its ability to organize large book collections, but many users find it less user-friendly compared to its web version.

#2 RUNNER UP

Goodreads
Goodreads is valued for its extensive book tracking and recommendation features, but the app is criticized for being slow, buggy, and less functional than the website. Users appreciate the community aspect and reading challenges, but many express frustration with the app's usability and frequent crashes.

#3 Straggler

BookBub
BookBub is appreciated for providing users with daily deals on ebooks, helping them discover affordable reads. However, the app is criticized for its limited functionality compared to the website, particularly its lack of support for Kindle and other ebook platforms, which frustrates users who prefer non-Apple formats.
Competitors Analysis
Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse.
LibraryThing
#1 Users Choice
LibraryThing is praised for its comprehensive cataloging features and barcode scanning capabilities, though users report frequent app crashes and bugs. The app is appreciated for its ability to organize large book collections, but many users find it less user-friendly compared to its web version.
Goodreads
#2 Runner-up
Goodreads is valued for its extensive book tracking and recommendation features, but the app is criticized for being slow, buggy, and less functional than the website. Users appreciate the community aspect and reading challenges, but many express frustration with the app's usability and frequent crashes.
BookBub
#3 Straggler
BookBub is appreciated for providing users with daily deals on ebooks, helping them discover affordable reads. However, the app is criticized for its limited functionality compared to the website, particularly its lack of support for Kindle and other ebook platforms, which frustrates users who prefer non-Apple formats.

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Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Reading Challenge Removal 📉
The removal of the ability to view friends' reading challenges has significantly diminished the social aspect of the app, leading to user dissatisfaction and migration to competitors. This feature was a key motivator for users to engage with the app and its absence has been widely criticized.
I can't see my friends' reading challenges anymore, which was the main reason I used Goodreads.
UI/UX Frustrations 😤
The app's outdated user interface and poor user experience, including slow loading times and cumbersome navigation, are major pain points for users. These issues contribute to a perception that the app is not keeping pace with modern standards.
The UI is so far behind other apps, it still has a loading screen and feels slow.
Login and Authentication Issues 🔑
Users face persistent login and authentication problems, including being logged out unexpectedly and difficulties signing back in, which disrupts their ability to use the app effectively. These issues are compounded by inadequate customer support responses.
I was logged out and now can't sign back in, losing access to all my data.
Feature Disparity Across Platforms 📱
There is a notable disparity in features between the iOS and Android versions of the app, with Android users missing key functionalities available on iOS. This inconsistency frustrates users and limits the app's usability on different devices.
The Android app lacks features like changing book editions, which are available on iOS.
Review and Rating Limitations ⭐
The inability to give half-star ratings and the lack of advanced review filtering options limit users' ability to express nuanced opinions and find relevant reviews. This limitation affects the app's utility as a comprehensive book review platform.
I wish we could give half-star ratings to better reflect my opinion on books.
Privacy and Security Concerns 🔒
Users have reported concerns about privacy settings being unintuitive and the app displaying sensitive information by default. These issues raise trust concerns and affect user confidence in the platform's handling of personal data.
The app shows your full name and email by default, and it's hard to change privacy settings.
Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Everything you need to know about user experience
Reading Challenge Removal 📉
The removal of the ability to view friends' reading challenges has significantly diminished the social aspect of the app, leading to user dissatisfaction and migration to competitors. This feature was a key motivator for users to engage with the app and its absence has been widely criticized.
UI/UX Frustrations 😤
The app's outdated user interface and poor user experience, including slow loading times and cumbersome navigation, are major pain points for users. These issues contribute to a perception that the app is not keeping pace with modern standards.
Login and Authentication Issues 🔑
Users face persistent login and authentication problems, including being logged out unexpectedly and difficulties signing back in, which disrupts their ability to use the app effectively. These issues are compounded by inadequate customer support responses.
Feature Disparity Across Platforms 📱
There is a notable disparity in features between the iOS and Android versions of the app, with Android users missing key functionalities available on iOS. This inconsistency frustrates users and limits the app's usability on different devices.
Review and Rating Limitations ⭐
The inability to give half-star ratings and the lack of advanced review filtering options limit users' ability to express nuanced opinions and find relevant reviews. This limitation affects the app's utility as a comprehensive book review platform.
Privacy and Security Concerns 🔒
Users have reported concerns about privacy settings being unintuitive and the app displaying sensitive information by default. These issues raise trust concerns and affect user confidence in the platform's handling of personal data.

Quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

I love Goodreads for tracking my reading, but the recent update removed the ability to see friends' reading challenges, which was a great motivator. This change has made the app less social and engaging.
Breynekai
Week of April 9th, 2025
The app is great for tracking books, but it desperately needs a UI update. It's slow and lacks features like half-star ratings and a DNF option, which would improve user experience significantly.
Tuttronic
Week of April 9th, 2025
Goodreads used to be my go-to for book tracking, but the new reading challenge format is frustrating. I can't see my friends' progress anymore, and the app feels outdated compared to competitors.
GrifB1124
Week of April 9th, 2025

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The quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes
I love Goodreads for tracking my reading, but the recent update removed the ability to see friends' reading challenges, which was a great motivator. This change has made the app less social and engaging.
Candice Wu
App Store
The app is great for tracking books, but it desperately needs a UI update. It's slow and lacks features like half-star ratings and a DNF option, which would improve user experience significantly.
Kelly Williams
Google Play
Goodreads used to be my go-to for book tracking, but the new reading challenge format is frustrating. I can't see my friends' progress anymore, and the app feels outdated compared to competitors.
Koray Okumus
Google Play

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