Brandwave

Amazon KDP vs Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Amazon KDP and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing were level in searches among self publishing platforms worldwide, with an estimated 1.8M branded searches each, at 47.5% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about self publishing platforms, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing appeared in all five answers and Amazon KDP in three. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing was mentioned before Amazon KDP in four out of five answers.

Among self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Amazon KDP and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing are searched for about as often as each other.

Amazon KDP 1.8M searchesAmazon Kindle Direct Publishing 1.8M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, mentioned in every answer we collected

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing in 5 of 5Amazon KDP in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, named ahead of Amazon KDP in 4 of 5 answers

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing first in 4Amazon KDP first in 1

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Top self publishing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing appeared in all five answers. Amazon KDP was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing was listed before Amazon KDP in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing1st
  2. Draft2Digital2nd
  3. IngramSpark3rd
  4. Lulu4th
  5. Barnes & Noble Press5th
  6. Amazon KDP6th
  7. Kobo Writing Life7th
  8. Smashwords8th

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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Amazon KDP or Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Amazon KDP and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight self publishing platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Amazon KDP and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing among self publishing platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Amazon KDP, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAmazon KDPAmazon Kindle Direct PublishingIngramSparkDraft2DigitalSmashwordsBarnes & Noble PressKobo Writing LifeLulu
Oct 202546.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Nov 202545.9%45.9%3.4%1.5%1.5%0.83%0.45%0.37%
Dec 202546.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.38%0.31%
Jan 202646.4%46.4%2.8%1.5%1.5%0.69%0.38%0.31%
Feb 202646.1%46.1%3.4%1.5%1.2%0.83%0.46%0.3%
Mar 202646.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.38%0.31%
Apr 202646.6%46.6%2.8%1.5%1%0.69%0.46%0.31%
May 202646.7%46.7%2.8%1.3%1%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Jun 202646.8%46.8%2.8%1%1%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Jul 202646.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Aug 202646.9%46.9%2.8%1%0.85%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Sep 202647.5%47.5%2.3%0.7%0.7%0.58%0.38%0.26%

How has the Amazon KDP and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Amazon KDP gained share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide, from 46.9% to 47.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing gained share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide, from 46.9% to 47.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Amazon KDP’s and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Amazon KDP

1 branded search term

  • amazonkdp

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

1 branded search term

  • amazon kindle direct publishing

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among self publishing platforms

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