Frequently Asked Questions

CoverRater.com is a data-driven feedback platform that helps authors, designers, and publishers test book covers with real readers. Instead of guessing, you get objective, actionable insights that can make the difference between a book that sells and one that gets ignored.

Yes. You must create an account to upload covers, run tests, and receive feedback.

Yes. As soon as your test results are in, you'll receive an email letting you know it's time to check your insights.

No subscriptions. No recurring fees. You only pay for what you use by purchasing credit bundles, which you can use at your own pace.

From a liability POV, we have to state that they do after one year however we are customer focused and promise that your credits will stay in your account until you use them. However, if you delete your account, your unused credits will also be removed.

No. Once you've used your credits for testing, we can't offer refunds, as our services have already been provided.

Yes. For storage and maintenance purposes:

• Tests and Votes will naturally expire after 1,000 days (approximately 2.7 years) from creation date.
• Image Uploads once deleted will expire after 1,500 days (approximately 4.1 years).
• After this date any test that references the book cover will lose reference to it

File Size: Each image must be 2MB or smaller.
Image Dimensions: Must be between (Height x Width) 400 x 242 pixels and 1600 x 1600 pixels.
Formats Allowed: JPEG and PNG only.

Yes! You can test any book cover, as long as it meets our format and size requirements.
⚠️ Note: We have a strict no nudity policy for uploaded covers. Please adhere to our terms and conditions when using the platform. You will be banned otherwise.

No. At this time, CoverRater.com evaluates complete book covers—not individual elements like fonts or colors.

✅ Yes! Free users can run one test at a time. Paid users can test multiple covers simultaneously and even set different audience parameters (e.g., genres, age groups, and gender).

❌ Not yet. Right now, we provide insights on each individual test rather than a direct comparison. But if there's enough demand, we'll build it!

✅ Yes. You can access all your previously completed tests and review past feedback anytime.

Our reviewers are real account holders—other authors, designers, and publishing professionals—not random people from the internet. Additionally, we use machine-learning algorithms for precise cover analysis to give you a mix of human and data-driven feedback.

✅ Yes! You can choose:
Age Group (e.g., Young Adult vs. Middle Grade vs. Adult Fiction)
Gender (if your book targets a specific readership)
Preference (so your cover is tested by people familiar with your niche)
🚫 Regional Targeting Not yet, but if there's enough demand, we may add it in the future!

We only allow verified account holders (authors, designers, and industry professionals) to participate in tests—so you're not getting feedback from random internet trolls. Additionally, we use machine-learning algorithms for precise cover analysis to give you a mix of human and data-driven feedback.

CoverRater.com rates your cover on five critical dimensions:

• Clarity – Is the cover visually clear at a glance?
• Appeal – Does it attract attention and interest?
• Fit – Does it match the expectations of the genre?
• Demand – Would a reader feel compelled to buy it?
• Uniqueness – Does it stand out from similar books?

❌ No. Every cover is evaluated on the five dimensions above to maintain consistency in scoring.

✅ Yes! Reviewers have the option to leave freeform comments or select from pre-written feedback snippets based on their impressions of your cover.

🚫 Our algorithm is proprietary and confidential.

We do not share details about how our scoring system calculates results, as this information is part of our competitive advantage and trade secrets.

We do not respond to emails asking about:

• How our algorithm calculates scores
• Why specific results were generated
• Details about our scoring methodology
• Requests to explain unexpected results

Our algorithm has been extensively tested and validated. While we understand curiosity about the process, we cannot share proprietary information that forms the core of our service.

Focus on these key areas:

• Overall Dimension Scores: Higher scores indicate better performance in each dimension
• Relative Performance: Compare your scores across the five dimensions to identify strengths and weaknesses
• Written Feedback: Read reviewer comments for specific, actionable insights
• Trends: If testing multiple covers, look for consistent patterns in feedback

Remember: Small score differences (0.1-0.3 points) are within normal variation ranges and both covers are likely performing well.

Our results reflect real reader feedback combined with machine learning analysis. While you may have a different perspective on your cover, the results show how your readers actually responds to it.

We recommend:

• Reading all written feedback carefully
• Testing alternative versions if needed
• Focusing on actionable insights rather than questioning the methodology

✅ Yes. We take security seriously and use industry-best practices to keep your data protected.

Your book covers are ONLY seen by other CoverRater users who vote on them during the testing process.

🚫 We do NOT publicly display your cover anywhere unless you choose to share your results.

If you mark your book cover for deletion, we will permanently remove the file after a set time period.

🚫 Absolutely not.

Your test results are strictly private unless you choose to share them. We make money only from credit packages—not from selling user data.

❌ Not yet, but we might introduce a referral program in the future.

❌ Not yet, but if you're interested, let us know!

We are working on special pricing plans for publishers, agencies, and marketing professionals who need to test multiple covers at scale.

📩 Interested? Contact us at

We're always looking to improve CoverRater.com! If you have a feature request or an idea, we'd love to hear it.

✅ Yes! Email us at and let us know what features you'd like to see.

📩 Support Email:

We're here to help you create a book cover that sells. 🚀

📢 Ready to see how your cover stacks up? ➡️ Start Testing Now