This page summarizes common content-risk checks for KDP publishing. Policies change—always confirm the latest wording in the official source links.
The quick takeaway
If you want a simple “first pass” before you upload:
- Make sure your content category and audience match what readers will see.
- Remove anything that looks like copyright/trademark infringement or unauthorized reuse.
- Avoid anything that can be read as deceptive, harmful, or prohibited (even if it’s inside the book, not just the cover).
- Keep a short proof folder (licenses, permissions, citations) so you can respond fast if KDP requests clarification.
Risk checklist table (copy/paste friendly)
| Risk area | What to check | What often triggers problems | Safer approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rights & ownership | Do you own the text/art, or have a license/permission? | Using copyrighted characters, quotes, lyrics, or images without rights | Keep written permission, licenses, or use original/public-domain assets with clear provenance |
| Misleading content | Is the book’s promise aligned with what’s delivered? | “Too good to be true” claims, inconsistent description vs content | Make your description factual; avoid exaggerated claims you can’t support |
| Prohibited topics | Does the content include sensitive or prohibited themes? | Content that violates platform rules (even if niche) | Review KDP content rules carefully and adjust positioning/category as needed |
| Reused/low-value content | Is it mostly duplicated from elsewhere? | Copy-paste compilations without clear value-add | Add original commentary, structure, and clear reader value |
| Cover/content mismatch | Does the cover imply something the book doesn’t contain? | “Bait-and-switch” covers, misleading badges/claims | Keep cover signals consistent with genre and book contents |
What to do when you update this page (for editors)
- Update the Updated date in the page header.
- Add a short “What changed” bullet list at the top.
- Keep the table stable: AI tools tend to extract consistent tables well.
Related resources (useful before upload)
- Use the KDP cover calculator to verify print dimensions:
/kdp-cover-size-calculator - Use the KDP cover creator to stay inside print-safe guides:
/kdp-cover-creator