Publish Your Ebook on Multiple Platforms Without Breaking Terms

Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive: Know Your Options

When you sign up for Amazon KDP, you have two choices:

• Standard KDP (Non-Exclusive) – You publish your ebook on Amazon, but you’re free to also sell it anywhere else.
• KDP Select (Exclusive) – You agree to sell your ebook’s digital edition only on Amazon for 90 days. In exchange, you get perks like Kindle Unlimited (KU), Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, Kindle Countdown Deals, and 70% royalties in more countries.

Here’s the catch: If your ebook is in KDP Select, you cannot sell or give away that same ebook (digital format) on any other platform not even your own website during the exclusivity term. Break the rule, and Amazon can remove your book or even suspend your account.

When “Going Wide” Makes Sense

Choosing non-exclusive distribution can be a powerful move, especially if:

• Your audience isn’t primarily on Amazon. Some genres (like certain academic topics or niche nonfiction) may sell better elsewhere.
• You want to build a long-term, diversified sales base. Relying 100% on one retailer is risky.
• You’re targeting international readers. While Amazon dominates in the US and UK, Kobo is huge in Canada, Apple Books does well in Australia, and Google Play reaches mobile-first markets in Asia.
• You prefer steady sales over quick spikes. KU can give short-term boosts, but wide publishing can mean more consistent, multi-platform income.

Still, if you’re brand new and want to maximize Amazon algorithms, starting in KDP Select for 90 days before going wide is a common hybrid strategy.

The Big Players in “Wide” Ebook Distribution

When you’re ready to distribute your ebook beyond Amazon, here are your main options:

Working with a reputable Amazon publishing company or a broaderebook publishing servicemeans you can hand off the formatting, metadata, and compliance headaches while they handle these uploads for you.

How to Avoid Breaking Terms When Going Wide

Publishing across multiple platforms isn’t difficult the tricky part is keeping everything legal and compliant. Here’s how to stay safe:

Decide Before You Enroll in KDP Select

If you want to go wide, don’t check the KDP Select box when uploading your ebook. If you’re already in Select, wait until your 90-day term ends before publishing elsewhere.

Check for Hidden Exclusivity Clauses

Some smaller platforms (or distributors) may also have exclusivity requirements read the fine print before agreeing.

Use Different Editions If Needed

If you want to keep your ebook in KU but also sell a “version” elsewhere, it must be substantially different (e.g., a workbook edition, bonus chapters). Simply changing the title or cover isn’t enough.

Mind Your Free Content

Amazon’s rules also cover where free excerpts appear. Posting a full chapter on your blog? Fine. Uploading the full ebook to a free site? Not fine if you’re in Select.

Stay Consistent With Metadata

Your ISBN, title, and author name should match across platforms unless you’re intentionally creating a different edition. This avoids retailer confusion and metadata conflicts.

Formatting for Multiple Platforms

Each retailer has its quirks. Apple might reject an ebook with missing title page metadata, Google Play can auto-discount, and Amazon is picky about image resolution.

If this sounds like a headache, that’s because it is unless you have someone handling it for you. Professional Amazon book publisher services or full-scope Kindle publishing services typically:

• Format ebooks to meet every platform’s requirements.
• Embed metadata correctly for search visibility.
• Test files on multiple devices (Kindle, Nook, iPad, Android).

This ensures your book looks professional everywhere without you reformatting from scratch.

Pricing Across Platforms

Amazon price-matches. If you list your ebook cheaper on Kobo, Google Play, or Apple Books, Amazon can drop your price automatically which might reduce your KU royalties or 70% rate.

How to avoid pricing headaches:

• Set the same list price across all platforms.
• If Google Play discounts automatically, pad your list price there so the discounted price matches your Amazon price.
• Review prices quarterly to keep them aligned.

Marketing When You’re Wide

One of the challenges of going wide is that you can’t lean on Amazon’s algorithm alone. You’ll need to:

• Create a universal book link
• Promote by retailer in your ads target Apple readers separately from Amazon readers.
• Use promo sites that list multiple platforms so you’re not sending everyone to Amazon.

A strong Amazon book publishing company will often build retailer-specific marketing into your launch plan, ensuring each platform gets attention.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced authors slip up when going wide. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Forgetting to opt-out of KDP Select before distributing elsewhere.
• Uploading the same file to multiple aggregators, creating duplicates.
• Ignoring smaller markets (Apple Books in Australia, Kobo in Canada).
• Failing to adjust marketing copy Apple readers may expect different calls to action than Kindle readers.

Working With Professionals Can Save You Weeks (and Headaches)

Publishing an ebook isn’t just about writing a great story or sharing your expertise it’s about navigating the behind-the-scenes details that determine whether your book succeeds or stalls. If you’re serious about wide distribution but don’t have the time (or desire) to learn the quirks of every single platform, working with professionals can be a game-changer.

A skilled Amazon publishing service or independent ebook publishing partner takes care of the heavy lifting so you don’t have to spend weeks troubleshooting technical requirements. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Technical Uploads Without the StressEach platform Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo, and more has its own file format quirks, size restrictions, and submission processes. What passes on one site might be rejected on another. A professional service knows these systems inside out and ensures your files are uploaded correctly the first time.
• ISBN Assignments Made SimpleDo you need your own ISBN? Can you use a free one from Amazon? What about other stores? Mismanaging ISBNs can create headaches when it comes to distribution and rights. Professional publishers handle this for you, keeping your book’s identity consistent across platforms.
• Metadata Optimization for Every StoreMetadata is more than just keywords. It includes categories, descriptions, pricing, and even BISAC codes. Each store uses slightly different rules. An expert Amazon book publishing service ensures your metadata is optimized not only for Amazon’s algorithms but also for Apple Books, Kobo, and beyond giving your book maximum visibility wherever it’s sold.
• Compliance and Pricing ManagementOne of the most common DIY mistakes is inconsistent pricing across stores, which can trigger penalties or even delisting. Professional teams monitor pricing and compliance so you’re never blindsided by unexpected takedowns.

And here’s the thing: it’s not just about saving time. It’s about avoiding costly mistakes. A simple formatting error or pricing violation can get your book pulled from Amazon or flagged on other platforms undoing weeks of hard work and momentum.

At Best Selling Publisher, our Amazon publishing services are designed to give authors peace of mind. We’ve already mastered the technical details, so you don’t have to. Instead of wasting weeks learning every platform’s requirements, you can stay focused on what truly matters: writing, connecting with your readers, and building your author brand.

Quick Checklist: Going Wide Without Breaking Rules

• Decide if you’ll start exclusive or wide.
• Read all exclusivity terms before committing.
• Format your ebook to each platform’s specs.
• Keep pricing consistent across retailers.
• Create retailer-specific marketing plans.
• Monitor compliance after launch.

Final Thoughts

Publishing your ebook on multiple platforms can be one of the most rewarding moves you make as an author. Done right, it expands your reach, diversifies your income, and gives readers around the world more ways to discover your work.

But “done right” is the key and that’s where expert help matters. Hire Best Selling Publisher, having pros on your side means you can focus on writing while your book gets the red-carpet treatment everywhere it appears.

Let us manage the details so your ebook reaches readers everywhere.