KDP separates AI-generated from AI-assisted work

Amazon KDP says publishers must inform it of AI-generated text, images, or translations when publishing a new book or republishing an edited title. Its distinction depends on who created the actual content—not how polished the finished file looks.

KDP’s two AI-content categories
CategoryMeaning in KDP guidanceDisclosure
AI-generatedAn AI tool created the actual text, image, or translation.Tell KDP during publishing or republication.
AI-assistedYou created the content and used AI to brainstorm, refine, check errors, or improve it.KDP says disclosure is not required.

Editing generated material does not automatically change its category

KDP explicitly says content remains AI-generated if an AI tool created the actual content, even when the publisher makes substantial edits afterward. A rewritten sentence, retouched image, or corrected translation can therefore remain reportable when the underlying output began as generated content.

A useful internal test is provenance: if the text, image, or translation would not exist without the model producing that artifact, record it as generated. If the author created the artifact and used a tool for critique, error checking, or suggestions, it is more likely assisted under KDP’s wording.

Keep a content provenance ledger

  • List every manuscript section, illustration, cover element, and translation.
  • Record whether it was author-created, commissioned, licensed, AI-generated, or AI-assisted.
  • Keep source files, prompts, drafts, licenses, and contributor agreements.
  • Note the model or service, date, and material edits for generated assets.
  • Recheck the ledger before publishing a revision.

The ledger helps answer KDP’s disclosure questions consistently and supports broader checks for rights, accuracy, duplication, and customer experience. Disclosure does not transfer responsibility to Amazon; KDP says publishers remain responsible for compliance.

Examples

Practical classification examples
WorkflowLikely category under KDP wording
The author writes a chapter and asks AI to identify grammar errors.AI-assisted
AI drafts a chapter and the author rewrites it extensively.AI-generated, because AI created the underlying text
The author creates an illustration and uses AI only for improvement suggestions.AI-assisted
An image model creates a cover background that a designer retouches.AI-generated image
AI translates author-written English into Spanish, then an editor corrects it.AI-generated translation

Publishing checklist

  1. Review the current KDP content guidelines directly.
  2. Complete the provenance ledger for text, images, and translations.
  3. Disclose every generated category accurately in the KDP workflow.
  4. Confirm rights and licenses independently from disclosure.
  5. Review quality, factual accuracy, formatting, and metadata.
  6. Repeat the check when republishing edits.

For the complete upload sequence, use the Amazon KDP publishing guide. This page focuses only on the AI-disclosure decision and should be checked against Amazon’s current help page before every release.

Frequently asked questions

Does KDP require disclosure of AI-generated text?

Yes. KDP says publishers must inform it of AI-generated text, images, or translations when publishing a new book or republishing edits to an existing one.

Does editing AI output make it AI-assisted?

Not automatically. KDP says content remains AI-generated when an AI tool created the actual content, even if substantial edits were made afterward.

Must authors disclose AI used only for brainstorming or proofreading?

KDP classifies use such as brainstorming, refining, error checking, or improving author-created content as AI-assisted and says disclosure is not required for that category.

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