How Self-Published Authors Can Gain More Followers on Amazon KDP
Ever wondered what it actually means when someone "follows" you on Amazon? If you're a new author dipping your toes into the self-publishing world, building a loyal readership is everything. And while reviews and sales matter, followers are your golden ticket to sustainable author success.
When readers follow your Amazon Author page, they get notified when you publish a new book or make certain updates. It's like having a subscriber list inside the Amazon ecosystem. But here's the catch—you don’t own that list, Amazon does.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly what an Amazon follower is, how to get more of them, and how to use this feature strategically without putting all your eggs in one basket. I'll also show you how to leverage tools like ScribeCount to track and grow your influence across platforms.
What is an Amazon Follower?
An Amazon follower is someone who has clicked the "Follow" button on your Amazon Author Page. This tells Amazon they want to hear more from you. When you release a new book, Amazon may notify these followers with a "book recommendation" email, depending on their algorithm and your history.
But here’s what’s important: you have no way of knowing exactly who these followers are, and Amazon doesn’t let you message them directly at will. You can’t see names or emails—just a number.
So while followers are helpful for visibility, they’re not the same as subscribers on your personal email list. Think of them more as passive audience members Amazon will occasionally nudge on your behalf.
How to See Your Amazon Followers (Sort Of)
As of now, Amazon does not allow authors to see a list of their individual followers. What you can see is how many people clicked to follow you—but even this info is vague and only shows up during special promotional campaigns.
There’s one exception: if Amazon emails your followers about a new book, you’ll be told that your book was recommended to X number of followers. But that’s it. It’s like yelling into a cave and hearing one faint echo back.
This is why diversifying your marketing is key.
Author Central: The Heart of Your Amazon Presence
To gain followers, you need to have a polished, optimized Amazon Author Page, which is managed through Amazon Author Central. Here’s what you need to do:
Set up your Author Central account if you haven’t already: https://author.amazon.com
Add a professional headshot and an engaging author bio that speaks directly to your target audience.
Link all your books to your Author Page.
Connect your blog’s RSS feed if you have one. This shows readers you’re active and involved.
When readers land on your Author Page and feel a connection, they’re more likely to hit that Follow button. It’s your storefront—make it inviting. We cover how to set up and optimize your Author Central page in another article.
How to Generate and Share Your Amazon Follow Link
Here’s a simple trick to start building your follower base: generate a direct link that leads readers to your Author Page.
To do this:
Search for your name on Amazon.
Click on your name to go to your Author Page.
Copy the URL.
It should look something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/author/yourname
Use this link in your:
Email signature
Social media bios
"About the Author" page in your books
Bookmarks and swag
Tell readers: “Follow me on Amazon to get notified when I release new books.” Simple. Effective.
How Amazon Emails Your Followers (And Why It’s Not Enough)
When you release a new book, Amazon might send a “book recommendation” email to your followers. These emails are automated and non-editable. You don’t control the timing, subject line, or content.
Worse, these emails are not guaranteed. Some authors have released books and received no follower notifications. Others got emails weeks later. It’s inconsistent.
Amazon has very strict rules about contacting followers. You can’t mass-message them, and there's no interface to communicate directly. That’s why relying on Amazon’s system as your only outreach method is risky.
Why You Need Your Own Email List (Trust Me on This)
Amazon’s follower system is nice, but your email list is essential. Here’s why:
You own the data. You control when, how, and what you send.
You can build relationships. Share bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, or personal stories.
You can boost sales. A well-timed email to your subscribers on launch day drives more sales and reviews than an Amazon email ever will.
Platforms like Mailerlite, ConvertKit, and Substack make it easy to start an email list—even for tech beginners. Include your email signup link in the back of your books, on your website, and anywhere you use that Amazon follow link. We have a whole section devoted to Email Marketing here in Author Resources.
Using ScribeCount to Track Followers and Sales Trends
While Amazon doesn’t let you track follower growth, ScribeCount can help you track the impact of your efforts in other ways. ScribeCount connects all your publishing platforms—Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and more—into one easy dashboard.
You can use it to:
Monitor spikes in sales after a newsletter goes out or a follow campaign runs
Track income trends across books and retailers
Identify your most profitable titles, helping you know what content your audience responds to
It’s not a replacement for Amazon’s follower count, but it helps you see the broader impact of your marketing, which is just as important.
Check it out at https://www.scribecount.com.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many new authors make the mistake of thinking followers = buyers. That’s not always the case. Here are a few other common slip-ups:
Not linking to your Author Page on your site and socials.
Ignoring Author Central and letting your page look bland or outdated.
Relying only on Amazon instead of building an email list.
Publishing and praying. You need to tell readers what to do—“Follow me,” “Join my list,” “Read my next book.”
Be proactive. Every link and every message should gently guide readers toward action.
Conclusion: Build Followers, But Build Smarter
Growing your Amazon followers is a great step toward becoming a successful indie author—but it shouldn’t be your only step. Think of Amazon followers as one branch of your author tree. The trunk? That’s your email list. And your books? They’re the fruit.
Use your Author Page wisely. Share it widely. Track your progress using tools like ScribeCount, and always think long-term. The more connected your readers feel to you, the more likely they are to come back for your next release.
So go ahead—invite readers to follow you on Amazon. Just make sure you're also inviting them to join your world beyond it.
