Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the most powerful self-publishing platforms in the world. It allows authors and publishers to independently publish and distribute their books to a global audience. However, there are times when your book may get blocked, either due to violations of content guidelines, metadata issues, copyright claims, or false positives from automated systems.
If your book gets blocked or removed from Amazon KDP, it can be a deeply frustrating and confusing experience. The platform doesn’t always provide a detailed explanation, and finding the right way to contact support can feel like navigating a maze.
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to contact Amazon KDP support when your books are blocked, including:
- Why books get blocked
- Immediate steps to take
- How to properly contact KDP support
- What to include in your message
- How to follow up professionally
- Mistakes to avoid
- Real author experiences
- Best practices to prevent future blocks
Understanding Why Amazon KDP Blocks Books
Before contacting support, it’s essential to understand why your book might have been blocked. Knowing the potential reasons can help you resolve the issue more effectively and communicate more clearly with support.
Here are the most common reasons books are blocked:
1. Violation of Content Guidelines
Amazon has strict guidelines regarding content that can be published. Your book may be blocked for including:
- Explicit adult content not properly categorized
- Hate speech or violent material
- Offensive or harmful material
- Medical claims without proper authority
- False or misleading information
2. Metadata Violations
Amazon is very particular about the metadata of a book, including the title, subtitle, keywords, and author name. Your book may be blocked if:
- The title contains promotional terms like “bestseller” or “#1”
- Keywords are misleading or irrelevant
- You use other authors' names or brand names in metadata
3. Copyright or Trademark Infringement
Using protected material without permission—such as song lyrics, movie quotes, or well-known characters—can get your book removed.
4. Low-Quality or AI-Generated Content
KDP has started flagging books suspected of being AI-generated or poorly written. If your book is viewed as spammy, lacks value, or appears mass-produced, it may be blocked or unpublished.
5. Automated System Errors
Sometimes, Amazon’s internal bots may incorrectly flag your book during a routine scan, especially if you publish frequently or update content often.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Book Is Blocked
Step 1: Check Your Email
Amazon typically sends an email explaining the issue. Check your inbox and spam folder for messages from kdp-support@amazon.com or no-reply@kdp.amazon.com. Carefully read the message to see:
- What rule or policy was allegedly violated
- Which ASIN or title was affected
- Whether the book was blocked temporarily or permanently
If the email is vague or unclear, don’t panic—this is common.
Step 2: Log in to Your KDP Dashboard
Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in to your account. See if:
- The book has a "Blocked" or "Unpublished" status
- There’s an alert message at the top
- You can still edit the book
If the dashboard doesn't provide clarification, you’ll need to contact KDP support directly.
How to Contact Amazon KDP Support (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Go to the KDP Help Center
- Visit https://kdp.amazon.com
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Help”
- On the Help page, click “Contact Us” (bottom-left corner)
🔔 You must be logged in to see the Contact Us option.
Step 2: Choose a Topic
Once you’re on the Contact Us page:
- Select “My Books”
- Then choose “Book Details” or “Blocked Book” (depending on availability)
- Amazon may provide recommended articles, but scroll down and click “Email” or “Chat” to contact support
Best Practices: Writing a Clear and Professional Message
Your support request should be calm, clear, and structured. Here’s how to write a strong message:
Sample Email Template:
Subject: Request for Clarification – Book Blocked (ASIN: B0XXXXX)Dear KDP Support Team, I recently received a notification stating that my book, [Book Title], with ASIN [ASIN Number], has been blocked or removed from publication due to a potential violation of KDP guidelines. I reviewed the KDP content and metadata policies and would like to better understand the specific issue. I am committed to complying fully with Amazon’s publishing standards and am willing to make any necessary edits to bring the book into compliance. Could you please clarify: - What specific part of my content or metadata caused the block? - Is the block temporary or permanent? - What steps do I need to take to reinstate the book? Thank you for your assistance. I appreciate your help in resolving this matter promptly. Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your KDP Email Address]
Important Tips:
- Be professional and respectful (no emotional outbursts)
- Include exact ASIN or Book Title
- Mention the date the block happened
- Ask for specific clarification, not just a generic explanation
Using Chat and Call Back Options
In some regions, KDP support offers live chat or phone callbacks. These are usually available Monday–Friday during business hours (U.S. time zones).
How to Access:
- After selecting “Contact Us,” choose “Chat” or “Request a call”
- Chat may get quicker initial responses
- If using chat, be ready with:
- ASIN
- Date of block
- Screenshot (if needed)
- Brief summary of the issue
✅ Chat support agents can escalate your issue to higher departments if needed.
Following Up with KDP Support
If you don’t get a helpful response within 48–72 hours, follow up:
- Reply to the same email thread (don’t start a new one)
- Summarize previous communication
- Ask if the case was escalated to the content review team
If you feel stuck in a loop of automated responses, politely request escalation:
“I appreciate your assistance. As I haven’t received a clear explanation or solution, may I kindly request that this issue be escalated to a supervisor or senior content review agent?”
Escalating Further: Third-Party Advocacy
If your book has been wrongly blocked for weeks with no resolution, you can:
- Join author advocacy groups like ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors)
- Reach out to Amazon Author Central at https://author.amazon.com
- Use KDP community forums to share your experience (others may help escalate)
These external groups have successfully helped many authors resolve complicated issues by providing evidence and pressing for action.
Real Author Experiences
1. Metadata Overreach
An author’s book was blocked because their subtitle contained the phrase “#1 Self-Help Guide.” After removing the claim and republishing, the book was accepted again.
Lesson: Avoid exaggerated claims in titles/subtitles.
2. False Positive on Content
A fantasy novel was blocked for “inappropriate content.” After contacting support and providing context, the author learned an illustration was flagged. Removing the image resolved the issue.
Lesson: KDP's algorithm may misinterpret artistic visuals—always provide context.
3. AI Detection Confusion
A legitimate book written by a human was suspected of being AI-generated. After weeks of back and forth, the author escalated the issue through a chat agent and finally got approval after submitting writing samples and revision history.
Lesson: KDP is strict on AI content; be prepared to prove your authorship.
Mistakes to Avoid When Contacting KDP Support
- Don’t send multiple messages at once – wait at least 48 hours for a response.
- Avoid accusatory or aggressive language – stay calm and factual.
- Don’t resubmit the same file over and over – wait for instruction.
- Don’t ignore Amazon’s policies – always read the latest KDP content guidelines.
Best Practices to Avoid Book Blocking in the Future
- Review KDP’s Content Guidelines Regularly
Stay updated with changes at https://kdp.amazon.com/help - Avoid Promotional Language
Don’t include terms like “#1,” “guaranteed,” “bestseller,” or “free” in titles, subtitles, or descriptions. - Use Copyright-Free or Licensed Images
Never use stock photos or illustrations you don’t own or have permission to use. - Avoid Copy-Pasting Web Content
Even if you wrote it, duplicate content across multiple sites can flag your book. - Maintain a Human Writing Style
Avoid overusing AI tools without personal edits. Robotic or repetitive writing patterns can get flagged. - Keep Backups of Manuscripts and Metadata
If something gets blocked, you’ll need a clean version ready for revision.
Final Thoughts
Having your book blocked by Amazon KDP can be a stressful and sometimes opaque process. However, it doesn’t have to be the end of your publishing journey. By understanding the rules, communicating effectively with KDP support, and remaining patient and professional, most issues can be resolved.
Remember:
- Be clear and polite in all communications
- Include relevant details like ASINs and dates
- Don’t give up after the first response—follow up
- Use support chat or phone calls if available
- Join author communities for support and advice
Whether you're a new author or a seasoned self-publisher, dealing with KDP support is part of the learning curve. With the right approach, you can turn a frustrating block into a resolved issue—and get back to doing what you love: publishing books for readers around the world.
