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Why Amazon Might Terminate Your KDP Account (And What You Can Do About It)
Recently, more and more authors have been reporting that their KDP accounts are being terminated—or even shut down without warning.
Sometimes the reason makes sense. Other times… not so much. Sometimes it’s just a mistake. And it can be really discouraging to search through Facebook groups or forums only to find yourself more confused.
Well, it turns out, there actually is some method to the madness. In this post, I’ll explain what I’ve learned about how Amazon makes these decisions, what triggers account termination or warning emails, and what you can do if it happens to you.
Warning vs. Termination: What’s the Difference?
Before we get into the causes, let’s make sure we’re clear on the two types of account actions Amazon might take:
Warnings
- This is an email outlining the issue.
- You’re usually given time to fix the problem.
Important: Make sure you have access to the email associated with your KDP account and that Amazon emails aren’t going to your spam folder. So many authors miss their warning emails and are completely blindsided when their account gets closed.
Terminations
- Sometimes, Amazon skips the warning altogether.
- You get a single generic email telling you your account has been terminated.
- The reasons are vague and often copy/pasted boilerplate messages.
If this has happened to you, don’t panic. I’ve got a step-by-step article on how to respond to Amazon and try to get your account reinstated. That guide is linked below the video.
Is a Human Making These Calls?
Nope. In most cases, it’s not.
Amazon uses an algorithm to monitor accounts and make decisions based on various triggers. The system looks for combinations of “red flags” and assigns risk levels. If your account crosses a certain threshold, it could lead to a warning—or an outright termination.
The problem? You don’t know which rules Amazon thinks you broke. You get a vague message and no detailed information about what actually tripped the system.
Top Reasons KDP Accounts Get Flagged
Here’s a look at some of the most common triggers that lead to warnings or terminations:
1. Metadata Violations
Metadata includes your book title, subtitle, description, categories, and keywords—the pieces of info you enter during publishing.
Common metadata issues:
- Copyright or trademark infringement (e.g. using popular TV characters, brand names, or terms like “Kindle”)
- Missing subtitles from cover (Amazon requires the subtitle to be on the cover if it’s in your metadata)
- Misleading content (like overpromising or using another author’s name to promote your own book)
- Not labeling sexual or mature content properly
Amazon lists all their metadata guidelines on a special help page. Highly recommend checking that out.
2. Confusing or Conflicting Book Info
If your categories, description, and keywords tell different stories (no pun intended), Amazon’s system might get confused. If you accidentally paste the wrong description or keywords for the wrong book, it can flag your listing.
Consistency is key. Everything needs to align so the algorithm clearly understands your book’s intent and placement.
My Personal Observation: Location Issues
This one’s anecdotal—but I’ve seen a pattern.
More and more authors from outside the U.S., even those publishing in the U.S. marketplace, are reporting account closures. Particularly when they’re located in countries where Amazon has previously seen problematic publishing behavior (plagiarism, spammy books, etc.), it seems that the threshold for triggering a termination might be lower.
I suspect Amazon may have increased account sensitivity in response to the rise of AI-written books flooding the marketplace. They want to protect customers’ trust, and one way to do that is by clamping down on anything remotely suspicious. Unfortunately, that includes overly cautious terminations.
So What Does Amazon’s Algorithm Look For?
Amazon’s system looks at your behavior and metadata, assigns a risk level, and then acts:
- If all is well → your book publishes
- Some risk → you get a warning
- High risk or repeated risk → account termination
Violations can be clear-cut or just likely violations. Sometimes, you may get flagged simply because your book resembles other problem books that Amazon has removed in the past.
The algorithm doesn’t need hard proof. It mostly cares about reducing business risk for Amazon.
What If My Account Is Terminated?
Don’t assume it’s the end of your writing career.
There are steps you can take to appeal the decision or correct the issue. I’ve published an in-depth guide on how to approach Amazon when your KDP account has been closed, including:
- What to include in your letter
- What tone to use
- Which documents you may want to provide
You’ll find that link in the video description.
Final Thoughts
To recap:
- Most KDP terminations are triggered automatically by Amazon’s algorithm.
- Common causes include metadata errors, copyright violations, and confusing book info.
- Authors in certain regions may be at higher risk.
- You don’t always get a warning, so regularly check your registered email.
- It’s possible to get reinstated—don’t give up!
Amazon is trying to maintain trust and quality on its platform. Unfortunately, that sometimes means legitimate publishers get swept up in big-picture changes.
But knowledge is power—and understanding how the system works can protect your account, your books, and your business.