Steps
Do NOT enrol in KDP Select
Permafree requires your book to be available on other platforms. KDP Select requires exclusivity. If your book is currently in KDP Select, wait for your term to expire and opt out before attempting permafree.
Upload your book to a free distribution platform
Upload to one or more platforms that allow $0.00 pricing: Draft2Digital (distributes to Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble), Smashwords, or directly on Kobo and Apple Books. Set the price to $0.00 on these platforms.
Wait for the free price to go live
Most platforms publish within 24–72 hours. Kobo and Apple Books typically process faster than some aggregators. Wait until your book shows as $0.00 on at least one major storefront (Kobo or Apple Books).
Report the lower price to Amazon
Go to your Amazon product page and scroll to the product price. Find the "Tell us about a lower price" link (or use the "Suggest a lower price" feature on the product page).
Alternatively, contact KDP support directly and say: "My book is available for free at [Kobo/Apple Books URL]. Please price-match to $0.00 on Amazon."
Include the URL showing your book at $0.00 on the competitor platform.
Wait for Amazon to price-match
Amazon price-matches at their discretion — typically within 24 hours to 2 weeks. They are not obligated to match, but they almost always do for established platforms like Kobo and Apple Books.
Once matched, your KDP dashboard will show $0.00 but you'll see a note that Amazon has applied a promotional price — this is normal.
Tips
- Kobo price-matches the fastest and Amazon respects Kobo pricing. Upload to Kobo directly (free to do) for fastest permafree results.
- Once your book is permafree, submit it to free book promotion sites: Freebooksy, Robin Reads, Buck Books. These sites promote free books to subscribers who actively download free titles.
- Permafree books build reviews faster than paid books because of volume — even a 5% review rate from 1,000 downloads = 50 reviews.
FAQ
Can Amazon reverse a permafree price match?
Yes. Amazon can re-raise your price at any time, especially if the free price on other platforms is removed. To maintain permafree status, keep your book free on Kobo or Apple Books permanently.
Does a permafree book earn any royalties?
No direct royalties on a free copy. The strategy is to earn royalties from books 2, 3, and beyond as readers who enjoyed the free book 1 buy the series.