Kobo Writing Life vs Smashwords:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Smashwords had more branded searches than Kobo Writing Life among self publishing platforms worldwide. Smashwords had about 27,100 branded searches, while Kobo Writing Life had 14,800. Smashwords made up 0.7% 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, Kobo Writing Life appeared in two of the five answers and Smashwords in one. Kobo Writing Life was mentioned before Smashwords in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Smashwords, about 83% more searches than Kobo Writing Life
Who does AI mention more?
Kobo Writing Life, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Smashwords in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Kobo Writing Life, named ahead of Smashwords in 2 of 2 answers
Follow Kobo Writing Life vs Smashwords 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. Smashwords was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kobo Writing Life was listed before Smashwords in every answer 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 Kobo Writing Life or Smashwords more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kobo Writing Life and Smashwords 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 Smashwords, 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 Kobo Writing Life and Smashwords comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Smashwords was ahead of Kobo Writing Life 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, Smashwords’ share of searches among self publishing platforms worldwide moved from 1.3% to 0.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 27.1K.
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 Smashwords worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 27.1K 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 Smashwords’ 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
Smashwords
1 branded search term
- smashwords
Other head-to-heads among self publishing platforms
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.