Getting the right feedback at the right stage of your writing can make all the difference. That’s where alpha and beta readers come in. Inside AutoCrit, you can quickly set up virtual alpha and beta readers to guide you through every stage of your draft — from early concept checks to polishing a nearly finished manuscript.
Quick links:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Alpha Readers?
Alpha readers are the first eyes on your manuscript. They usually come in after you’ve finished a complete draft but before any polishing. Their role is to answer big-picture questions like:
Does this story basically work?
Are there plot holes, weak character arcs, or worldbuilding gaps?
Alpha readers are not editors or proofreaders—they aren’t checking grammar, spelling, or polish. Instead, they help you decide whether the bones of your story hold together before you invest more time revising.
What are Beta Readers?
Beta readers are representatives of your target audience. They come in after the manuscript has been polished, once the structure and story are solid. Their role is to read as a real audience would and give you feedback on how engaging, satisfying, and ready your story feels.
Think of them as your “dress rehearsal” for publication—they help answer: Is this book ready for my readers?
Beta readers are not editors either; they aren’t meant to line-edit or proofread. Instead, they give you the reader’s-eye view of your finished product
Video Walkthrough
In this demo clip, Kevin takes you through the step-by-step process of how to create a reader in AutoCrit.
Text Walkthrough
How to Create a Virtual Alpha or Beta Reader in AutoCrit.
Step-by-step instructions on how to create a virtual alpha/beta reader in AutoCrit.
Step 1. Inside your document, click on the Analyzer icon on the right-hand toolbar.
Step 2. Choose the Alpha or Beta read option by clicking the appropriate icon.
(This image shows where to find the Alpha Reader feature)
(This image shows where to find the Beta Reader Feature in the Analyzer dropdown)
Step 3. Click Select Your Reader to get started.
Step 4. You'll see the options to create a new reader profile or choose a reader from the template.
AutoCrit has a wide range of reader templates to get you started! Feel free to explore and create your own readers from our reader penguins!
For this support post, we will create one, so go ahead and click Create a new reader profile.
Step 5. Add your reader's name and avatar.
(This image shows you where to click to edit your Reader's avatar - their profile picture)
Step 6. Characteristics and Profile.
The Characteristics Field
The Characteristics field enables you to provide additional depth and context to your reader profiles. While this section is optional—you can create a profile without filling it in—it helps you define who your imagined reader is by noting details such as age, education, reading habits, or interests. These details don’t change how AutoCrit works, but they allow you to create a custom reader that you prefer, especially when you’re tailoring your writing for specific audiences.
You can think of it as a sketch of your ideal reader: What kind of person are you writing for? What matters to them? What do they look for in a story?
Example Questions to Guide You in Creating the Ideal Reader:
Age range – How old is this reader likely to be?
Education/experience – Do they have a particular background or knowledge level?
Genre preference – What types of stories or subjects draw them in?
Reading motivation – Do they read for fun, escape, learning, or challenge?
Expectations – What do they want to feel or take away when the story is done?
Example Questions to Guide You in Creating a Genre Critic Profile:
What does this critic value most in a story, and where do they have zero tolerance for mistakes?
What questions or objections would they raise about pacing, plot, or believability?
Would they be more focused on technical precision (grammar, structure) or emotional resonance (character growth, theme)?
What kinds of clichés, tropes, or gaps in logic would immediately frustrate them?
What expectations would they have for the genre you’re writing in—and how would they react if you broke them?
After entering your characteristics, click the Create Profile button to proceed.
The Profile Field
The Profile field is what the system uses when reading your book. Think of it as the bio section of your reader’s social media profile—it’s the output that’s generated from the characteristics you enter.
You can auto-generate a profile in a few different ways:
With characteristics entered, the profile will be created based on the details you’ve provided.
With only a name entered, the system will generate a random profile that it assumes best fits with the name you’ve added.
With no name or characteristics: A completely random profile will be generated, and you can add a name to it later.
Once you have filled out your Profile section, you can click Create to finalize and create your reader.
Quick Access Section:
You can have up to 5 readers in the quick-access section here:
Please note: Deleting a reader from this section only removes their feedback; you can select them again from your Saved Readers list or AutoCrit's Reader Templates.
Step 7. Click to Start Reading!
Your reader will take a moment to read through your complete book. Depending on the length of your book, this could take a moment.
Understanding reader feedback.
Alpha Reader Feedback
Alpha Reader feedback is designed to give you early-stage insights into your story. It looks at whether the bones of your story work—things like premise, pacing, character arcs, conflict, and stakes. You’ll also see the reader’s emotional journey by chapter, along with highlights such as a favorite line and overall impressions.
Beta Reader Feedback
Beta Reader feedback is designed for the final-stage experience. It looks at whether your polished manuscript reads smoothly, with attention to dialogue, clarity, worldbuilding readability, emotional impact, and overall polish. You’ll also see reader fit, emotions by chapter, and a closing summary of their thoughts.
(Read more: Full breakdown of Alpha and Beta Reader feedback)
FAQ
When should I use an alpha reader vs. a beta reader?
When should I use an alpha reader vs. a beta reader?
Use an alpha reader early in your drafting process to test the big-picture structure of your story—are the characters, plot, and stakes working? Use a beta reader later, once your manuscript is polished, to see how a typical audience member experiences the book as a finished product.
How many beta readers should I have?
How many beta readers should I have?
Most writers benefit from 3–5 beta readers. This gives you a variety of perspectives without overwhelming you with feedback. AutoCrit’s virtual beta readers make this easy by letting you test multiple reader personas instantly, so you don’t have to wait weeks for responses.
What’s the difference between beta readers and professional editors?
What’s the difference between beta readers and professional editors?
Beta readers are audience stand-ins. They tell you how the story feels to read, whether it’s engaging, satisfying, and clear. A professional editor is a trained expert who focuses on improving the craft—fixing language, structure, and consistency in detail. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.
What feedback should I look for from an alpha reader vs. a beta reader?
What feedback should I look for from an alpha reader vs. a beta reader?
Alpha readers focus on big-picture story elements: the premise, pacing, character arcs, conflict, and stakes. Beta readers focus on the reader’s experience: clarity, dialogue, immersion, tone, and whether the story feels ready to publish.
With AutoCrit’s virtual readers, you get detailed feedback across both perspectives—showing not only what works, but also what real readers will notice before you hit “publish.”
More resources from the AutoCrit Blog
If you have any questions or need help with the new Alpha/ Beta reader features, please feel free to chat with us or email [email protected]
Happy Writing!