Is Amazon KDP Select Worth It? Pros & Cons…

With all the hype online about creating and selling Kindle books, some people make it sound as though it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Granted, it is pretty great and gives you huge potential for passive income in multiple ways.

While I point out the pros and cons of Amazon Kindle book publishing, there’s one other thing I want to bring to your attention. It's whether to opt into Amazon’s KDP Select program. This decision could be the difference between earning $10 per month or earning $100+ per month.

Selling ebooks through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has both benefits and challenges. Here’s a look at some pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right platform for your ebook sales:

Pros of Selling ebooks on Amazon KDP

1. Huge Audience and Visibility

Amazon has a massive audience, and Kindle is one of the most popular e-reading platforms. Publishing on KDP gives you instant access to millions of potential readers worldwide, increasing the chances of selling more books.

2. Ease of Use and Accessibility

KDP’s interface is pretty user-friendly, and Amazon provides support, making it easy for anyone to upload and publish their book with minimal technical know-how.

3. No Upfront Costs

There are no fees to publish on KDP; Amazon takes a commission only when a sale is made. This setup minimizes financial risk and is ideal for authors who don’t want upfront expenses.

4. Royalties and Payment Structure (Amazon KDP Select)

KDP offers competitive royalties—up to 70% if you opt into the KDP Select program — and depending on the book’s pricing and location. This structure allows authors to keep a larger percentage of the profit compared to traditional publishing. If you choose not to opt-in, you’ll get 35% royalties.

5. Promotional Tools

Amazon offers promotional programs like Kindle Countdown Deals and free giveaway promotions (for books enrolled in KDP Select). These can help increase your book’s visibility and sales.

6. Global Reach

Amazon distributes books to multiple countries, allowing authors to reach a global audience without needing to navigate international distribution challenges.

7. Kindle Edition Normalized Page Reads (KNEP)

When Amazon customers use the Kindle Owner's Lending Library (where they get to read your book for free), you still earn a few cents for each page that person reads. That means you can earn extra income even if people do not purchase your book.

8. Passive Income Potential

Once the ebook is published, it can continue to generate income over time without needing ongoing work, making it a good option for passive income.

Cons of Selling Ebooks on Amazon KDP

1. KDP Select Exclusivity Requirement

If you enroll your book in KDP Select to access additional promotional tools, you’re restricted to selling it exclusively on Amazon for 90 days. This can limit your ability to reach audiences on other platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, or Google Play and your own website.

Plus, keep in mind that, for every other marketplace or website you choose to sell on, you’ll have to optimize your listings and work to grow your presence and sales.

2. Royalties and Pricing Restrictions

For the 70% royalty option, Amazon has certain pricing restrictions (usually between $2.99 and $9.99), and they charge a delivery fee per download, which can reduce earnings. Outside this range, you’re limited to 35% royalties.

3. High Competition

Amazon has millions of ebooks available, so getting noticed can be challenging, especially for new authors. You may need to invest time in marketing and optimizing your book listing to stand out.

4. Limited Control Over Customer Data

Amazon doesn’t provide customer data (like emails) to authors, so you don’t have the ability to directly market to your readers. Building a readership outside of Amazon can be difficult without direct contact with buyers. You can make an offer inside your book for a free download or something else the reader would opt into your list to receive.

5. Royalty Withholding for Non-US Authors

Non-US authors may face tax withholding unless they submit the necessary tax information to Amazon. This can reduce income until tax details are sorted out.

6. Content Policies and Possible Restrictions

Amazon has strict content guidelines, and some books or genres may face more scrutiny. If a book is flagged or taken down for any reason, it may be challenging to get it reinstated.

7. Price-Matching Policy

If you sell your ebook at a lower price on another platform, Amazon may match that lower price, which could reduce your royalties. This can be tricky if you want to experiment with different pricing on other platforms.

Selling on KDP can be an excellent choice if you’re looking for a low-cost, accessible way to publish and reach Amazon’s vast audience. However, knowing the pros and cons of Amazon Kindle book publishing is a smart thing to do.

Once you’re aware of your choices, you can experiment to find the right balance for you that brings in the highest income.

Have questions about Amazon KDP Select? Talk to me below!