KDP 2025 Market Report / includes biggest fears & best recommendations for new authors
A. Estimated Number of Self-Published Books Added to KDP in 2025
B. Country Origins of KDP Authors
C. What Puts New Authors Off KDP
D. Recommendations for New Authors
A. Estimated Number of Self-Published Books Added to KDP in 2025
Based on ISBN data, industry publishing flow estimates, and KDP market share assumptions, the estimated number of new self-published titles added to Kindle Direct Publishing in 2025 ranges from approximately 1.8 million to 4.5 million, with a working estimate of 2.5–3.4 million.
Key Datapoints Used:
• Bowker reported approximately 2.6 million self-published ISBN registrations in 2023 (used as a growth baseline).
• Industry estimates suggest Amazon receives 250,000–350,000 new titles per month (approx. 3.0–4.2 million annually).
• KDP is widely estimated to represent 60–70%+ of the indie/ebook self-publishing market.
Scenario Calculations:
• Lower bound: 250k/month → 3.0M/year × 60% ≈ 1.8M KDP titles.
• Mid estimate: 300k/month → 3.6M/year × 70% ≈ 2.5M KDP titles.
• Upper bound: 350k/month → 4.2M/year × 80% ≈ 3.36M KDP titles.
• Expanded assumptions including ebook-only and non-ISBN titles suggest a potential ceiling near 4.5M.
The range remains wide because many ebooks do not use ISBNs, and Amazon does not publish precise annual KDP totals. Additionally, third-party estimates vary depending on whether they include print, ebook, audiobook, active listings, or total uploads.
B. Country Origins of KDP Authors
KDP operates globally and distributes across 200+ territories via print-on-demand and ebook platforms. While no public dataset breaks down author nationality precisely, industry analyses consistently identify the following major contributors:
• United States (largest single source)
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• India
• Germany, France, Italy, Spain
• Emerging growth markets: Brazil, Indonesia, parts of Asia
Most geographic conclusions rely on proxies such as marketplace listing, language of publication, or ISBN country metadata — each with inherent limitations.
C. What Puts New Authors Off KDP
• Discoverability challenges in an increasingly crowded catalogue.
• Low average earnings for the majority of self-published titles.
• Platform policy uncertainty and risk of account suspension.
• Royalty and pricing adjustments impacting profit margins.
• Technical barriers: formatting, editing, and professional cover design.
• Advertising complexity and cost management.
• Fear of negative reviews and public exposure.
• Confusion around ISBN, rights, and distribution strategy decisions.
D. Recommendations for New Authors
• Treat publishing as a structured product launch rather than a one-click upload.
• Test pricing, formats, and scale gradually using performance data.
• Invest in metadata optimisation and category strategy.
• Evaluate exclusivity (KDP Select) based on long-term positioning.
• Build an audience outside Amazon (mailing list, newsletter, platform).
• Maintain realistic expectations and track measurable return on investment.
Sources (Selected Industry References):
Bowker self-publishing ISBN registration data (2023 baseline figures).
Industry estimates of monthly Amazon new-title inflow (independent analyses and publishing market reviews).
KDP official documentation and reporting features.
The Guardian (March 2025) coverage on self-publishing growth and discoverability concerns.
Industry commentary on 2025 KDP royalty and pricing adjustments.
Self-publishing market reports (2024–2025 platform share analyses).
You can download a PDF version of the report HERE:
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