Short answer. If you searched "Amazon KDP rejected my book" and the file looks fine, the reason is usually content, metadata or the public domain rules, all in KDP's guidelines. The email names the rule. Fix that exact thing and resubmit, or appeal if you think KDP got it wrong.
Key points
- KDP rejects for content (rights, offensive material, misleading descriptions), metadata (title, description, keywords) and quality.
- Undifferentiated public domain books are refused when a free version is already in the Kindle Store.
- Titles cannot carry words like "free" or "bestselling", and descriptions cannot carry reviews, quotes, links or contact details.
- AI-generated text, images or translations must be disclosed to KDP.
- If KDP removes a title, you can appeal.
- Formatting rejections are a different problem, and our KDP rejected file fix starts with a free diagnosis that tells you which kind you have.
Amazon KDP rejected my book: why, if the file is fine?
KDP's Content Guidelines say it will "reject or remove content that does not adhere to these guidelines". That covers far more than the file. The rules reach the title, the cover and the description too.
Most non-formatting rejections fall into four groups: rights, content, metadata and quality. The email KDP sends names the one that applies. Read it before you change anything.
If the email talks about margins, fonts, bleed or page size, it is a formatting rejection instead. Our post on why KDP keeps rejecting your book covers those fixes.
Is it a rights problem?
KDP puts the duty on you: authors and publishers must make sure their content does not violate "copyright, trademark, brand, privacy, publicity, or other rights". That includes quotes, song lyrics, photos and fonts you did not license.
KDP can also ask for more information before a book goes on sale. If you get that email, send proof that you hold the rights, such as a license or a permission letter.
Can KDP reject a public domain book?
Yes, if it is undifferentiated. KDP says it won't allow undifferentiated versions of public domain titles when a free version is already in its store.
Our own sample work falls under this rule. Our sample book is chapter one of Pride and Prejudice, set as an ebook on 10 October 2026. As a plain edition, KDP could refuse it if a free version is in the Kindle Store.
To publish a public domain book, KDP wants something original in it:
- Translated: an original translation.
- Annotated: original notes, such as a study guide, critique, biography or historical context.
- Illustrated: 10 or more original illustrations relevant to the book.
The title field must then include (Translated), (Annotated) or (Illustrated). The description must open with a bullet-point summary of what is original. Public domain books are also not eligible for KDP Select or every royalty option.
Is it my title, description or keywords?
Often, yes. KDP's Metadata Guidelines are strict, and a single word can trigger a removal.
In the title field, KDP does not allow:
- references to promotions, such as "free";
- references to sales rank, such as "bestselling";
- generic keywords repeated, such as "notebook" or "journal";
- unauthorized references to other titles or authors.
The title must match the cover, and title plus subtitle must be fewer than 200 characters. Our post on Amazon book title and subtitle rules covers the full list.
In the description, KDP does not allow phone numbers, emails, web addresses, reviews, quotes, testimonials or time-sensitive dates. Our post on Amazon book description length covers what to put there instead.
In keywords and categories, KDP has no tolerance for anything that misleads customers. That includes other authors' names and claims such as "bestselling".
The fix we do for this: send us the rejection email and your file. We tell you by email, within 1 business day of having the file, what failed and whether it is a formatting fix we can make. Tell us what KDP said.
Did I need to disclose AI content?
If any text, image or translation in the book was generated by AI, yes. KDP's Content Guidelines say "We require you to inform us of AI-generated content (text, images, or translations)". You tell KDP when you publish the book, and again if you edit and republish it. AI-assisted work does not need declaring: text or images you made yourself and then edited or checked with an AI tool.
What if KDP flags the book for quality?
KDP's Guide to Kindle Content Quality lists the problems it looks for: formatting issues, typos, missing content and disappointing content, among others.
What happens depends on how serious the problem is. KDP says any critical issue removes the book from sale "until corrections are made". Smaller problems can bring a temporary quality warning on the product page instead. Fix the issue, upload the new file, and the warning or block comes off after review.
Can I appeal a KDP rejection?
Yes, for removals. KDP's Content and Metadata Guidelines both say that if it removes a title, it tells the author or publisher, and "they can appeal our decision".
Appeal only when you are sure the book meets the rule. If the email points to something real, such as a word in the title, fixing it and resubmitting is faster.
What else do authors ask when Amazon KDP rejects a book?
Because KDP also checks content, metadata and quality. A title with "free" in it, or a description with a review quote, can be enough.
Yes, if it is translated, annotated or has 10 or more original illustrations, and the title says which. A plain copy is refused when a free version is in the store.
No. KDP's Metadata Guidelines do not allow reviews, quotes or testimonials in the description.
Yes, for AI-generated text, images or translations.
Reply as the removal email directs. KDP says authors can appeal when a title is removed.
What should you do next?
Read the rejection email line by line and find the rule it names. If it is content or metadata, change that one thing and resubmit. If you cannot tell, or it mentions the file, send it to us with the manuscript, and the KDP rejected file fix starts with a free diagnosis.
