Amazon KDP vs Kobo Writing Life:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Amazon KDP had more branded searches than Kobo Writing Life among self publishing platforms worldwide. Amazon KDP had about 1.8 million branded searches, while Kobo Writing Life had 14,800. Amazon KDP made up 47.5% of all self publishing platform searches we track, and Kobo Writing Life accounted for 0.38%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about self publishing platforms, Amazon KDP appeared in three of the five answers and Kobo Writing Life in two. Amazon KDP was mentioned before Kobo Writing Life in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Amazon KDP, about 124 searches for every 1 for Kobo Writing Life
Who does AI mention more?
Amazon KDP, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Kobo Writing Life in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Amazon KDP, named ahead of Kobo Writing Life in 3 of 4 answers
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Top self publishing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Amazon KDP was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the 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. Amazon KDP was listed before Kobo Writing Life in three out of four answers that named either.
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.
Is Amazon KDP or Kobo Writing Life more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Amazon KDP and Kobo Writing Life 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.
Share of searches by month for Amazon KDP, 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% |
How has the Amazon KDP and Kobo Writing Life comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Amazon KDP was ahead of Kobo Writing Life in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Amazon KDP’s share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide moved from 46.6% to 47.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 1.8M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobo Writing Life’s share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide moved from 0.46% to 0.38%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Amazon KDP gained share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide, from 46.9% to 47.5%.
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.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Amazon KDP’s and Kobo Writing Life’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
Kobo Writing Life
1 branded search term
- kobo writing life
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