How to Close a Goodreads Account

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

If you try out Goodreads and decide you don't like it, you can always delete your account. Just follow the simple process, starting from step 1, below.

Steps

1
Open up Goodreads. Log into the account you'd like to close.
2
Look for drop-down arrow in the top right corner of the Goodreads page (near your profile picture you chose), and click "Edit Profile".
- You might be asked to sign in once more. Don't worry. Just log in with your Goodreads credentials once again and click the "Confirm" button. This is done if you haven't checked your settings in a few days.)
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3
Click the Settings tab right next to the default tab.
4
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Delete my account" link.
5
Review the information on what will happen once you delete your account. Deleting your account will remove from Goodreads all the associated content, including the ratings and reviews you've posted, your comments, writing, events, friends list.^{[1]
X
Research source} You shouldn't need to worry about unchecking the "keep all my discussion posts", as these posts become anonymous and any discussion they've created or replied to should stay for continuity with the discussion.
6
Click the "Delete My Account" button to delete the account.
7
Agree to the dialog boxes. Click OK to close the account.
8
Give the browser a few moments. When your account has been closed, the browser will return you to the Goodreads home page after it signs you out.

Community Q&A

Question

Will it no longer be linked to my name on search engines once finished?

Community Answer

It may take some time for search engines to register the fact that your account doesn't exist any more, but yes, this will happen eventually.
Question

Will it remove the books from Kindle or just Goodreads?

Community Answer

It will just remove the book from Goodreads. Kindle books are tied to your Amazon account. Just be aware that some authors offer ebooks for free via Goodreads, which aren't tied to your Amazon account, but which you'll still retain when you close your Goodreads account as long as you download them first.
Question

Is there a way to temporarily deactivate your Goodreads account, like Facebook?

Lily

Community Answer

No. However you can delete or hide your account. If you want to deactivate it, maybe email GoodReads.