What Is Kindle Unlimited (KU)?
Kindle Unlimited is Amazon’s subscription service where readers pay a monthly fee to access a vast library of books. Authors who enroll in KDP Select agree to give Amazon exclusive digital distribution rights for that book. In exchange, they can earn royalties based on pages read rather than direct sales.
What Is Wide Distribution?
Wide distribution means making your book available on multiple platforms, such as Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books, and other retailers. Instead of being exclusive to Amazon, you can reach a broader audience across different markets and reading devices.
Pros and Cons of Kindle Unlimited
Pros of Kindle Unlimited:
- Access to a Large Reader Base – KU has millions of subscribers who are actively searching for books to read at no extra cost to them.
- Potential for High Page-Read Royalties – Instead of earning per sale, authors receive royalties based on the number of pages read by subscribers.
- Increased Amazon Visibility – KU books often perform better in Amazon’s algorithm, leading to better rankings and discoverability.
- Exclusive Promotional Tools – KDP Select offers benefits like Kindle Countdown Deals and free book promotions.
- Easier Marketing – Since Amazon is the dominant eBook retailer, focusing marketing efforts on a single platform can be more efficient.
Cons of Kindle Unlimited:
- Amazon Exclusivity – You cannot sell your eBook on any other platform while enrolled in KU, limiting your reach.
- Unpredictable KU Payouts – The per-page payout fluctuates monthly, making income less predictable.
- Limited Control – Amazon can change the KU payout structure or policies at any time.
- Not Ideal for All Genres – KU tends to work best for genres with high reader engagement, like romance, thriller, and fantasy.
Pros and Cons of Wide Distribution
Pros of Wide Distribution:
- Access to Multiple Markets – Your book can reach Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms worldwide.
- More Revenue Streams – Diversifying your income across multiple retailers reduces reliance on Amazon.
- Higher Direct Sale Royalties – Unlike KU, wide distribution allows for direct eBook sales, often at better royalty rates.
- More Control Over Pricing and Promotions – You can set prices, run promotions, and use tools like BookBub ads without KU restrictions.
- Library and International Sales Opportunities – Platforms like Kobo and Google Play reach international markets, while OverDrive and Bibliotheca offer library distribution.
Cons of Wide Distribution:
- More Complex Marketing – Authors must promote their books across multiple platforms rather than focusing solely on Amazon.
- Slower Sales Growth – Building a readership outside of Amazon can take more time.
- No KU Page-Read Royalties – You miss out on the potentially lucrative per-page-read earnings from Kindle Unlimited readers.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Choosing between Kindle Unlimited and wide distribution depends on your publishing goals:
- Choose Kindle Unlimited if you want to focus on Amazon, write in a KU-friendly genre, and prefer the per-page-read royalty model.
- Choose Wide Distribution if you want to build a long-term author career with diverse income streams, greater pricing control, and access to global markets.
Many authors start with KU to gain visibility and then switch to wide later. Others go wide from the start to build a broad audience. Ultimately, your strategy should align with your long-term publishing vision.
Do you publish in KU or wide? Share your experience in the comments!