The Difference Between KDP and KDP Select: What Every Author Needs to Know

First, What is Amazon KDP?

KDP stands for Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon’s self-publishing platform. It’s free to use, it lets you upload your book in eBook and/or paperback format, and it gives you access to Amazon’s massive global audience.

When you publish through KDP, you control:

• Your book’s content and formatting
• Pricing (within Amazon’s royalty rules)
• Metadata like keywords and categories
• Where you sell (you can choose worldwide or specific territories)

KDP is open to anyone—whether you’re a first-time indie author or a seasoned pro using an Amazon publishing company to manage the process for you.

If all you did was upload your book to KDP, choose your price, and hit “publish,” you’d be on Amazon and selling within 72 hours. But that’s just the baseline. Amazon also offers an optional program called KDP Select.

What is KDP Select?

KDP Select is like an extra layer you can opt into when publishing your eBook on KDP. In exchange for certain exclusivity rules, you unlock marketing perks and access to more revenue streams.

When you enroll your eBook in KDP Select, you agree that:

• The eBook version of your book is sold only on Amazon for 90 days at a time.
• You won’t distribute that eBook through other platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, or Google Play during the enrollment period.

The trade-off? You get special benefits designed to help your book gain visibility.

The Key Benefits of KDP Select

Kindle Unlimited (KU) and Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL)

Your eBook becomes part of Kindle Unlimited, Amazon’s subscription reading service. Millions of KU subscribers can read your book for free (to them), and you earn royalties based on the number of pages read.

For some authors, KU royalties can outperform direct sales. Example: A fantasy author who writes in a series might get thousands of KU page reads a day because binge-readers devour the whole saga.

Kindle Countdown Deals

This feature lets you temporarily discount your book while showing a countdown timer on your product page—a simple but powerful urgency trigger. The best part? You still earn 70% royalties during the promotion.

Free Book Promotions

You can make your book free for up to 5 days per 90-day enrollment. This can help you:

• Get more reviews
• Attract new readers to a series
• Boost your rankings (which helps future paid sales)

Expanded Global Royalties

With KDP Select, you can earn 70% royalties in more countries than standard KDP, which is huge if you’re targeting international readers.

KDP vs. KDP Select: The Core Difference

The difference boils down to exclusivity.

• KDP: You can sell your eBook anywhere—Amazon, Apple, Kobo, your own website, etc.
• KDP Select: You sell your eBook only on Amazon for the 90-day term, but you get the marketing perks mentioned above.

If you work with Best Selling Publisher, a professional Amazon book publishing company, we’ll help you weigh the trade-offs based on your book’s genre, audience, and launch goals.

Pros and Cons of KDP Select

Pros

• Better Visibility: Amazon’s algorithms love KU page reads, which can push your book higher in search results and “Also Bought” sections.
• Extra Promotions: Countdown Deals and free days give you tools to spike sales and reviews.
• Steady Royalties: KU can provide consistent income between launches.
• Global Reach: More territories qualify for 70% royalties.

Cons

• Loss of Wide Distribution: You can’t sell your eBook on other platforms during the 90 days.
• Dependence on One Retailer: If Amazon changes its algorithms or payout rates, you feel it immediately.
• Not Always the Best Fit: Some genres (like niche nonfiction) might sell better “wide” than in KU.

How to Decide Which to Choose

Go KDP Select If:

• Your genre performs well in KU (romance, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller).
• You’re launching your first book and want to focus your marketing on one platform.
• You plan to use free or countdown promotions as part of your launch strategy.

Go KDP (No Select) If:

• You want to “go wide” and sell on multiple platforms.
• Your book is highly niche, and your audience isn’t primarily on Amazon.
• You already have a platform outside of Amazon and want more control.

If you’re unsure, many authors start with KDP Select for the first 90 days, then reassess.

Don’t let your story sit on the sidelines. Hire Best Selling Publisher — the trusted Amazon publishing company that helps authors launch with confidence. Start your publishing journey today.

How Amazon Book Publishing Services Can Help

Whether you choose KDP or KDP Select, there’s more to success than just clicking “publish.” That’s where professional help comes in.

A quality Amazon book publishing service (Best Selling Publisher) will handle:

• Formatting: Ensuring your eBook looks perfect on every Kindle device.
• Cover Design: Creating a cover that fits your genre and converts browsers to buyers.
• Metadata Optimization: Choosing the right keywords and categories so your book is discoverable.
• Launch Strategy: Planning when to use promotions, ads, and email campaigns for maximum impact.
• Compliance: Making sure your enrollment in KDP Select meets Amazon’s rules.

Some full-service providers offer Kindle publishing services that include editing, proofreading, and marketing—all under one roof. Others specialize in metadata and category optimization. The best Amazon book publishing company for you depends on your budget, genre, and how much of the work you want to outsource.

Pro Tips if You Choose KDP Select

• Time Your Promotions StrategicallyDon’t use your free days or countdown deals at random—tie them to ad campaigns or social media pushes.
• Track Your Page ReadsKU payouts are based on pages read, not books borrowed. Monitor your stats and note which promotions spike reads.
• Leverage the Algorithm BoostKU borrows can boost your ranking just like sales, so focus on driving consistent activity.
• Re-evaluate Every 90 DaysAt the end of each enrollment, decide if staying exclusive still makes sense.

Pro Tips if You Stay on Standard KDP

• Distribute Widely Through an AggregatorServices like Draft2Digital can get your book on Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more.
• Price CompetitivelyYou’ll be competing with KU titles, so adjust your pricing strategy accordingly.
• Diversify MarketingSince you’re not locked into Amazon, you can experiment with promotions on other platforms.

Common Myths About KDP and KDP Select

• “KDP Select costs money.” Nope—it’s free to join, but you’re paying with exclusivity.
• “You can’t leave KDP Select.” You can opt out after each 90-day term.
• “KU page reads don’t pay much.” It depends on your genre, book length, and reader engagement. For some, it’s their main income stream.

Hire Best Selling Publisher and see how our Amazon book publishing services will take your book from idea to bestseller.

Final Word

Choosing between KDP and KDP Select isn’t about which is “better” overall—it’s about which is better for you.

If you want to focus entirely on Amazon and take advantage of KU, countdown deals, and the algorithm boost, KDP Select can be a smart short-term move.

If you’d rather build a broader presence across multiple stores, stick with standard KDP and go wide.

Either way, remember: Publishing is only step one. Marketing, metadata, and presentation matter just as much. Hiring us will give your book the polish, visibility, and momentum it needs to succeed.