Kobo Writing Life vs Lulu:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kobo Writing Life had more branded searches than Lulu among self publishing platforms worldwide. Kobo Writing Life had about 14,800 branded searches, while Lulu had 9,900. Kobo Writing Life made up 0.38% of all self publishing platform searches we track, and Lulu accounted for 0.26%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about self publishing platforms, Lulu appeared in all five answers and Kobo Writing Life in two. Lulu was mentioned before Kobo Writing Life in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Kobo Writing Life, about 49% more searches than Lulu
Who does AI mention more?
Lulu, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Lulu, named ahead of Kobo Writing Life in 4 of 5 answers
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Top self publishing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lulu appeared in all five answers. 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. Lulu was listed before Kobo Writing Life in four out of five answers.
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 Kobo Writing Life or Lulu more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kobo Writing Life and Lulu 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 Kobo Writing Life, Lulu. 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 Kobo Writing Life and Lulu comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kobo Writing Life was ahead of Lulu in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lulu’s share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide moved from 0.31% to 0.26%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 9.9K.
How did search popularity change for self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
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 Lulu worldwide rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 9.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kobo Writing Life’s and Lulu’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.
Kobo Writing Life
1 branded search term
- kobo writing life
Lulu
1 branded search term
- lulu publishing
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