KDP changes in 2026: what changed and what to do

What changed for KDP authors in 2026, and what should you do?

The table lists the changes in the order they are likely to hit an author, with the date, who it affects and the first thing to do. Each row links to its section. Everything is as of 31 October 2026.

Want someone to check your accounts, files and release plan against these changes? See ourpublishing setup service.

What is Kindle+, and what does it mean for audiobooks?

On 22 October 2026 KDP renamed Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ and added audiobooks for US members. KDP Select is still a free 90-day program that needs digital exclusivity, and enrolled books join Kindle+. We still say Kindle Unlimited in places because that is what most authors search for.

• KDP virtual-voice audiobooks join automatically when the ebook is in KDP Select.
• ACX Pay for Production titles can enroll in Select. They need Audible exclusivity and Whispersync for Voice.
• Listening is paid per page from the Global Fund, and KDP says it is adding funds for listening.
• Only first reads and first listens are paid. Re-reading or re-listening to a page earns nothing more. KDP says immersive reading, which is reading and listening together, pays the higher rate.

What to do now: list which of your ebooks are in Select and when each 90-day term ends. If you have an audiobook, read KDP's Kindle+ page to see which route applies to it. Select asks for digital exclusivity, so check where else the ebook is sold before you enroll. To see what page reads are worth to you, use theKindle Unlimited earnings estimator and our guide towhat Kindle Unlimited pays per page.

What changed in the KDP KENP report?

As of 31 October 2026, the KENP report shows Kindle+ reading and listening together. You can filter it by format to see them apart. KDP removed Audible Plus listening for virtual-voice audiobooks from the report, and that includes historical data. The Royalties Estimator leaves out Audible Plus too.

What to do now: filter by format before you compare months. If you saved KENP numbers in a spreadsheet, expect older months in KDP to differ from your notes, because KDP changed the historical data. For your own income, read your KDP report rather than a rate page.

What was the September 2026 Kindle page rate and fund?

For September 2026, authors reported $0.00531 per KENP on Amazon.com. That is 9.2% aboveAugust 2026. KDP announced a Global Fund of $65.9 million, which is $0.1 million below August 2026.

Amazon does not publish the per-page rate. The rate here is author-reported, collected from KDP reports that authors share. The fund is KDP's own figure. The rate rose while the fund was almost unchanged, and this guide offers no reason for that. One month is a data point, not a trend.

What to do now: plan with a recent range, not a single month. The full 12-month history is in thepay per page guide.

What is the KDP limit on new titles per week?

Since 21 September 2026, KDP allows up to 2 new titles per format per week. Ebook, paperback and hardcover are counted as formats. The count resets Sunday 12:00 AM UTC. On 5 October KDP added that the same limit applies to titles submitted for publication, and that drafts count. Updates to existing titles do not.

What to do now: create a title only when you are ready to work on it, because a draft uses a slot. Spread a batch of new books across weeks, and plan the order of a series. Thebook launch timeline counts back from a release date.

How do ACX royalties change, and when does the legacy model end?

ACX announced a new royalty model on 28 April 2026 and opened it to all creators on 26 May 2026. ACX says the legacy model is discontinued by the end of the year.

ACX also describes a membership pool based on a "Member Value" model, suggested pricing and an opt-in to all-you-can-listen. The percentage is only one part of what a title earns, so read ACX's announcement before you choose.

What to do now: check which model each of your ACX titles is on, read the announcement, and decide before the year ends. If you plan an audiobook, theaudiobook length calculator and our guide tomaking an audiobook cover length and file specs.

What changed for pre-orders?

• KDP ebooks: pre-orders created on or after 2 September 2026 can be up to 18 months ahead (it was 12 before). You can have up to 10 active pre-order titles, and you must upload the final manuscript at least 72 hours before release or the pre-order is canceled.
• ACX audiobooks: on 6 October 2026 ACX added pre-orders. A pre-order period is required to set a future release date. The same update added free promo cards at audible.com/promocards and Sponsored Products ads for audiobooks in the US.

What to do now: pick a release date that leaves room for the final upload, then build the plan backwards in the book launch timeline. A KDP Select term starts on the release date, so promotions can only be scheduled after release.

Did KDP print costs change in 2026?

No. KDP posted on 22 May 2026 that printing fees did not change in 2026. On Amazon.com a black ink paperback on a regular trim costs $1.00 plus $0.012 a page, or a flat$2.30 at 110 pages or fewer. A 300-page 6 x 9 in paperback costs $4.60 to print.

What to do now: nothing is needed because of KDP fees. Your minimum list price, which is printing cost divided by your royalty rate, has not moved. Run your own trim and page count through theprint cost calculator, and see theKDP printing cost guide for every marketplace.

What changed at IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press and Lulu?

• IngramSpark: from 1 February 2026, a 1.875% market access fee applies to books enabled for distribution. Some print prices moved up and some down, and revisions are free.
• Barnes & Noble Press: print books must list at $14.99 or more, and cheaper listings came off from 14 May 2026. An account can hold up to 100 titles, and public domain titles are not allowed.
• Lulu: its 2026 Pricing Updates help page says Lulu reviews print costs each year and that some prices may rise and some may fall. It gives no figures.

What to do now: on IngramSpark, check each title in thepublisher compensation calculator. On Barnes & Noble Press, check any print book priced under $14.99 and your title count. On Lulu, get a fresh price in your account before each print order. The book royalty calculator helps you compare what a sale earns on KDP.

Should you order proof copies and author copies now?

On 28 October 2026 KDP urged authors to order proof copies and author copies early, because of holiday delivery delays. Proof and author copies cost the printing cost per copy, with shipping and tax extra. A 300-page 6 x 9 in copy is $4.60 before shipping and tax on Amazon.com.

What to do now: if you want print copies for gifts, events or a launch, order them now. If a book is still in draft, order the proof before you plan a release date. Estimate the cost first in theprint cost calculator.