That dreaded email from Amazon KDP hits your inbox: "Your book has been blocked from publication." Your heart sinks. Months of work seemingly wasted. But here's the truth—95% of Amazon rejections are fixable within 48 hours once you know what to correct.
After helping over 300 authors navigate KDP rejections, I've identified the exact reasons books get blocked and the proven solutions that get them approved. This guide will turn your rejection into approval faster than you think possible.
"Amazon doesn't reject books to be difficult. They reject books that could create legal issues, customer complaints, or poor reading experiences. Fix these specific issues, and approval is virtually guaranteed."
Understanding Amazon's Review Process
Before diving into rejection reasons, it's crucial to understand how Amazon reviews books:
Initial Upload
Automated systems scan for obvious issues
Content Review
AI and human reviewers check compliance
Final Decision
Approval or rejection with specific reasons
Understanding this process helps you anticipate potential issues and address them proactively.
The Top 5 Reasons for Amazon KDP Rejection
Copyright and Trademark Violations
This is the #1 reason for permanent bans. Amazon has zero tolerance for copyright infringement.
Common violations include:
- Using copyrighted images without permission
- Including song lyrics or poetry quotes
- Mentioning brand names incorrectly
- Using "public domain" content that isn't actually public domain
- Fan fiction using copyrighted characters
How to fix it:
- Remove ALL copyrighted content immediately
- Replace with original content or properly licensed alternatives
- Use generic terms instead of brand names (phone instead of iPhone)
- Verify public domain status with official sources
- Include proper attribution where required
Poor Formatting and Technical Issues
Amazon rejects books that provide poor reading experiences. Technical issues signal low quality and lead to customer complaints.
Formatting problems that trigger rejection:
- Blurry or pixelated cover images (less than 300 DPI)
- Text running off pages or into margins
- Inconsistent fonts and spacing
- Missing or broken table of contents
- Images that don't display properly on Kindle
- Incorrect trim size specifications
How to fix it:
- Ensure cover images are 300 DPI minimum
- Use Amazon's free Kindle Create tool for consistent formatting
- Test your book using Kindle Previewer on all devices
- Set proper margins (0.5" minimum for most sizes)
- Convert images to JPEG format for Kindle compatibility
- Hire a formatter if DIY attempts fail
Misleading or Prohibited Content
Amazon protects customers from deceptive or harmful content. Even unintentional violations result in rejection.
Content that triggers rejection:
- Misleading book descriptions or metadata
- False claims about results or benefits
- Prohibited content (hate speech, illegal activities)
- Excessive violence or adult content without proper categorization
- Medical/financial advice without disclaimers
- Get-rich-quick schemes or MLM promotion
How to fix it:
- Review and revise all marketing claims for accuracy
- Add necessary disclaimers for advice-based content
- Ensure content rating matches actual content
- Remove any prohibited content entirely
- Be honest about what your book delivers
Duplicate or Recycled Content
Amazon wants original content. They reject books that appear to be duplicates or low-effort compilations.
What triggers duplicate content flags:
- Publishing the same book under multiple titles
- Excessive quotes or excerpts from other sources
- PLR (Private Label Rights) content without substantial modification
- Wikipedia or web content compilation
- Minimal original content in "guide" books
How to fix it:
- Add substantial original content (at least 70%)
- Rewrite PLR content completely in your voice
- Provide unique insights or perspectives
- Remove excessive quotes and citations
- Create original examples and case studies
Metadata and Category Violations
Incorrect metadata confuses customers and Amazon's algorithms, leading to automatic rejection.
Metadata mistakes that cause rejection:
- Title doesn't match cover
- Author name inconsistencies
- Wrong language designation
- Inappropriate categories or keywords
- Keyword stuffing in titles or descriptions
- Using "bestseller" or awards claims without proof
How to fix it:
- Ensure title, cover, and metadata match exactly
- Use consistent author name across all fields
- Select accurate categories (maximum 2)
- Remove promotional language from metadata
- Use keywords naturally in descriptions
- Verify language settings match book content
Your Pre-Submission Checklist
Before You Resubmit
- Run plagiarism check on entire manuscript
- Verify all images are properly licensed
- Test formatting in Kindle Previewer
- Confirm cover meets technical requirements
- Review content rating accuracy
- Check title/cover/metadata consistency
- Remove all trademarked terms
- Add necessary disclaimers
- Verify category appropriateness
- Proofread description for claims
Stop Rejections Before They Happen
Our professional review catches Amazon compliance issues before you submit. Save time and protect your account.
Get Pre-Publication ReviewWhat to Do After Rejection
If your book has already been rejected, follow this action plan:
- Don't panic or resubmit immediately - This often leads to permanent bans
- Read the rejection email carefully - Amazon usually specifies the exact issue
- Fix ALL mentioned issues - Partial fixes lead to re-rejection
- Document your changes - Keep notes on what you corrected
- Wait 24 hours before resubmitting - Shows you took time to fix properly
- Use the "contact us" option if unclear - Amazon support can clarify issues
Protecting Your KDP Account
Multiple rejections can lead to account termination. Protect yourself by:
- Never attempting to "game" the system
- Being conservative with content ratings
- Investing in professional formatting
- Getting legal advice for potentially problematic content
- Building a reputation for quality publications
"Think of Amazon as your business partner, not your adversary. They want quality books that sell well and satisfy customers. Give them that, and rejections become rare."
Success After Rejection
Many bestselling authors faced initial rejections. The key is learning from the experience and improving your submission quality. Authors who successfully address rejection reasons often report:
- Faster approval on future books
- Better understanding of publishing requirements
- Higher quality final products
- Improved reader satisfaction
- Fewer customer complaints and returns
Final Thoughts
Amazon KDP rejection isn't the end of your publishing journey—it's a learning opportunity. By understanding and addressing the specific issues that triggered rejection, you can turn a frustrating experience into a successful publication.
Remember, Amazon's goal aligns with yours: delivering quality books that readers love. Meet their standards, and you'll find a powerful ally in reaching millions of potential readers.