The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identifier that is assigned to a book. It consists of thirteen digits and is used to track and identify books. It helps booksellers, libraries, and readers to find and order books. The ISBN is a vital component of the publishing process, and it is essential for authors to select the right ISBN for their books and avoid using Amazon KDP free ISBN. This article will explain why.
Amazon KDP offers ISBN for free to self publishers. While this may seem like an easy and cost-effective option, it is important to note that Amazon KDP has restriction when it comes to using their free ISBN. First, they limit how your book will be distributed, and there are few other downsides.
You don’t own the Amazon free ISBN
When you use Amazon’s free ISBN to self-publish your book, you do not own the ISBN. This is not a big deal, as Amazon owning your book ISBN doesn’t give them ownership or copyright of your book. But, Amazon will be known as your book publisher because of their imprint name that comes with Amazon KDP free ISBN.
Conversely, if you do not own the ISBN, you may face limitations and restrictions on how your book is distributed and marketed. You may not be able to sell your book through certain channels.
Also, Amazon KDP doesn’t assign their ISBN to your book.
When you purchase a ISBN from a ISBN agency, then you will have to send your book information to the ISBN agency to get the ISBN assigned to your book.
You can use the ISBN to publish your book without getting your ISBN assigned or sending information to an ISBN agency. But that is not good practice, and you will be losing on the opportunity to get your book extra exposure.
Your book may be less discoverable
One of the key purposes of an ISBN is to make a book discoverable. When a book has a unique ISBN, it can be easily cataloged, ordered, and tracked by booksellers, libraries, and readers. This is because ISBNs are used as a standard identifier for books across the publishing industry.
Booksellers and distributors may not recognize or accept Amazon’s free ISBN, which can limit your book’s reach and potential audience. Some book retailers avoid selling books that are published using Amazon imprint name because of not getting along with Amazon dominance.
Amazon KDP also doesn’t allow you to use their ISBN to publish your book outside of their platform. Let say in future you decide to publish your book on other websites or self-publishing platform, then you will have to obtain ISBN or republish your book. Using two different ISBN to publish the same book format will cause duplicate book listing and confusion for your readers and book retailers.
You can also use your imprint name to improve your book SEO. Instead of using “ABC Publishing” as an imprint name, why not use “ABC Publishing Romance” if you are publishing a romance book. Romance word in your imprint name help you a lot when it comes to SEO, such as ranking in Amazon search results. You might have seen this type of technique used by traditional publishing. They have a publishing division for each book genre they publish.
Having your own ISBN is not enough to make your book discoverable. You should also consider factors such as book cover design, book description, and keyword optimization to make your book stand out and attract potential readers. Making your book as discoverable as possible can help you build a loyal readership and increase your chances of success as a self-published author.
Your book may be perceived as lower quality
Books with a reputable imprint name are often perceived as higher quality because they have undergone a more rigorous publishing process and are typically associated with established publishers.
Using Amazon free ISBN to self-publish your book can negatively impact the perception of your book’s quality. This is because the Amazon KDP ISBN comes with the Amazon Imprint name “Independently Published”. This can create a perception that your book is published by an individual author and for free using the Amazon KDP platform.
As a self-published author, it is important to present your book in the best possible light. This means taking steps to ensure that your book is of the highest quality, both in terms of content and presentation. Investing in a ISBN can be one step towards establishing your book as a high-quality and your own publishing brand.
In addition to having a unique ISBN, other factors that can impact the perception of your book’s quality include cover design, formatting, editing, and proofreading. By taking the time and effort to ensure that your book is of the highest quality, you can build a positive reputation as a self-published author and increase the likelihood of attracting and retaining readers.
Final Thought
ISBNs are a valuable tool for self-published authors. By having an own ISBN, self-published authors can ensure that their books are discoverable and accessible to booksellers, distributors, and readers. ISBNs also help to establish a book’s quality and legitimacy, which can increase the book’s chances of success in a crowded marketplace.
While Amazon’s free ISBN service may seem like a convenient option, it can limit a book’s discoverability, and negatively impact its quality perception. Self-published authors should invest in a unique ISBN and take steps to make their books as discoverable and high-quality as possible to increase their chances of success.
Ultimately, self-publishing is a competitive and constantly evolving industry. As such, it is important for self-published authors to take advantage of all available resources and tools to ensure that their books stand out and attract readers. By understanding the value of having your own ISBNs, self-published authors can increase their chances of success and establish themselves as respected and successful writers in their respective genres.
