What is KDP Select?

KDP Select is an optional program for Kindle eBooks published through Amazon KDP. When you enrol a title, you agree to make the digital version of that book available exclusively through Amazon for a 90-day term, which renews automatically unless you turn renewal off. Exclusivity covers the eBook only — you can still sell the paperback, hardcover and usually the audiobook elsewhere.

In return, the book is included in Kindle Unlimited, Amazon's reading subscription, where you are paid for pages read. You also get access to promotional tools such as Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions, which can be scheduled a limited number of days per enrolment term. Check KDP's current terms for the exact benefits and limits.

Exclusivity means more than not uploading to other stores: the eBook cannot be for sale or free on your own website, through a newsletter service, on Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play or anywhere else while enrolled. Sharing large portions of it publicly can also breach the terms.

Whether to enrol is one of the big strategic choices in self-publishing. Some genres — particularly romance, thrillers and long-running series — earn a large share of their income from Kindle Unlimited readers. Others do better "going wide" to every store. Many authors test Select for a term or two and compare.