How popular isKobo Writing Life?
In September 2026, people searched for Kobo Writing Life by name about 14,800 times worldwide, a 22.3% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 0.38% of all global self publishing platform searches, placing Kobo Writing Life seventh out of eight platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about self publishing platforms, Kobo Writing Life appeared in two of the five answers and was the seventh most recommended of the eight.
Kobo Writing Life is the seventh most searched of 8 competitors and the seventh most recommended in AI answers.
Amazon KDPShare of searches 47.5%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th- Amazon Kindle Direct PublishingShare of searches 47.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
IngramSparkShare of searches 2.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Draft2DigitalShare of searches 0.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Kobo Writing LifeShare of searches 0.38%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
Follow Kobo Writing Life and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top self publishing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kobo Writing Life was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kobo Writing Life is the seventh most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Draft2Digital5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Lulu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- IngramSpark4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Amazon KDP3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Barnes & Noble Press3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Kobo Writing Life2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Smashwords1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about self publishing platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which self publishing platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best self publishing platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best self publishing platform for independent authors?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“self publishing platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“publish a book online”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which self publishing platforms compete with Kobo Writing Life?
Share of searches by month for Amazon KDP, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, Kobo Writing Life. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Amazon KDP | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing | IngramSpark | Draft2Digital | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble Press | Kobo Writing Life | Lulu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.6% | 46.6% | 2.8% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.69% | 0.46% | 0.31% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.9% | 45.9% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.83% | 0.45% | 0.37% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.6% | 46.6% | 2.8% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.69% | 0.38% | 0.31% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.4% | 46.4% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.69% | 0.38% | 0.31% |
| Feb 2026 | 46.1% | 46.1% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.46% | 0.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.6% | 46.6% | 2.8% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.69% | 0.38% | 0.31% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.6% | 46.6% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.46% | 0.31% |
| May 2026 | 46.7% | 46.7% | 2.8% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.46% | 0.31% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.8% | 46.8% | 2.8% | 1% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.46% | 0.31% |
| Jul 2026 | 46.6% | 46.6% | 2.8% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.69% | 0.46% | 0.31% |
| Aug 2026 | 46.9% | 46.9% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.85% | 0.69% | 0.46% | 0.31% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.5% | 47.5% | 2.3% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.58% | 0.38% | 0.26% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 47.5% | 1.8M | +22% | +0.6 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 47.5% | 1.8M | +22% | +0.6 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 2.3% | 90.5K | 0% | -0.5 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 0.7% | 27.1K | -18.1% | -0.3 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 0.7% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.1 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.58% | 22.2K | 0% | -0.1 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.38% | 14.8K | 0% | -0.1 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 0.26% | 9.9K | 0% | -0.1 points |
47.5%
Held 1st. 1.8M estimated branded searches, +22% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
Held 2nd. 1.8M estimated branded searches, +22% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
2.3%
Held 3rd. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.
0.7%
Held 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
0.7%
Held 5th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
0.58%
Held 6th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
0.38%
Held 7th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
8.
Lulu0.26%
Held 8th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Kobo Writing Life and its closest rivals
- Kobo Writing Life vs IngramSpark: compare popularity
- Kobo Writing Life vs Draft2Digital: compare popularity
- Kobo Writing Life vs Smashwords: compare popularity
- Kobo Writing Life vs Barnes & Noble Press: compare popularity
- Kobo Writing Life vs Lulu: compare popularity
- Compare Kobo Writing Life with any brand
Every comparison with Kobo Writing Life
7 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Kobo Writing Life changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Kobo Writing Life worldwide rose from 12.1K to 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobo Writing Life’s share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide held steady, from 0.46% to 0.38%.
How did search popularity change for self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Amazon KDP gained share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide, from 46.9% to 47.5%.
In September 2026, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing gained share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide, from 46.9% to 47.5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Barnes & Noble Press worldwide rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kobo Writing Life worldwide rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 12.1K to 14.8K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for IngramSpark worldwide rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 90.5K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Lulu worldwide rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 9.9K in September 2026.
How are Kobo Writing Life’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kobo Writing Life’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- kobo writing life
Who owns Kobo Writing Life?
Kobo Writing Life is owned by Kobo. Brandwave also tracks Kobo, owned by the same company, worldwide.
Do you work for Kobo Writing Life? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Is Kobo Writing Life your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.