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Kindle Unlimited is a digital library subscription service from Amazon that gives users access to 4 million titles, including millions of e-books, audiobooks, digital magazines, and comics, to borrow without a set return date.
Since its launch 10 years ago, Kindle Unlimited members globally have read more than 3 billion books.
What benefits does the service offer subscribers, and how does Kindle Unlimited work for authors?
This article looks at how the service works and explains how to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited to gain access to its vast library.
Key Takeaways
- Kindle Unlimited allows subscribers to borrow as many titles as they want from its catalog, although they are limited to 20 at any one time.
- The library includes millions of e-books, thousands of audiobooks, and a range of digital magazines and comics.
- Subscribers can access the service through the Kindle app on smartphones, tablets, and computers, the Amazon website, and a Kindle device.
- Authors can list their work in the Kindle Unlimited library to tap into Amazon’s large customer base and receive monthly payouts based on page views.
- Kindle Unlimited offers a 30-day free trial, before committing to the monthly fee of $11.99.
- Subscribers can access Kindle Unlimited content offline.
What Is Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited allows users to borrow, read, or listen to a wide range of titles.
Amazon users in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and Australia can sign up for the service from their local Amazon Marketplace.
The company plans to expand the service to other countries in the future, according to its website.
Overview of Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited is designed for avid readers who want to explore new titles without having to purchase each one individually.
Key Features of Kindle Unlimited
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Library Size | Over 4 million e-books, thousands of audiobooks, and magazines |
| Device Compatibility | Kindle devices, Kindle app on iOS, Android, PC, and Mac |
| Borrowing Limit | Borrow up to 20 titles at a time |
| Offline Reading | Downloaded titles can be read offline |
| Subscription Fee | $11.99 per month with occasional promotional discounts |
How Does Kindle Unlimited Work?
Kindle Unlimited is a monthly Kindle subscription that, once activated, provides instant access to titles from its extensive catalog.
Users can access the borrowed titles on Wi-Fi-enabled Kindle devices or through the Kindle app, but they cannot be downloaded or transferred via USB.
How to Sign Up for Kindle Unlimited
Are you wondering how to buy a Kindle Unlimited subscription? To use Kindle Unlimited, you need to have an Amazon account with a valid payment method. To sign up, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the Kindle Unlimited page on the Amazon website.
- Click on the “Join Kindle Unlimited” button.
- Follow the prompts to activate a subscription.
Devices & Apps Compatible With Kindle Unlimited
You can use all Kindle devices including the Paperwhite, Oasis, or Scribe to access Kindle Unlimited, and it is included on all Amazon Fire tablets, which were previously known as Kindle Fire.
However, you don’t need to have a Kindle device. The service also works on smartphones, computers, or tablets through a web browser or the free Kindle app available for iOS, Android, Mac or PC.
Kindle Unlimited Subscription Pricing
Amazon occasionally offers promotional deals, such as discounted rates for the first few months. When you first sign up, you receive a 30-day free trial before the subscription fee is charged to your account.
If you purchase a new Kindle device from Amazon, you can receive a free three-month subscription to the Unlimited service included in the Kindle price.
What Content Is Available on Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited offers a range of content among its millions of titles, including:
- Fiction and non-fiction e-books
- Audiobooks
- Selection of popular magazine and newspaper subscriptions such as USA Today, People Magazine, and Bloomberg Businessweek
- Comics and graphic novels
Types of Books Included in Kindle Unlimited
The variety of Kindle Unlimited books available includes bestsellers, series, and trending titles, from newcomers as well as established authors.
Popular Genres & Categories
Kindle Unlimited includes a range of popular book categories, from biographies and memoirs to self-help, romance, science fiction and fantasy, horror, mystery, and thrillers.
How to Browse & Find Kindle Unlimited Books
To browse titles available on a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can:
- Go to the Amazon website or the Kindle app
- On the sidebar menu, navigate to the “Digital Content and Devices” section
- Click on “Kindle E-readers & Books”
- Then click on “Kindle Unlimited” under “Kindle Store”
Alternatively, go to “Shop By Department,” click on “Books,” and then click “Kindle Unlimited” under “Kindle Books”.
You can also browse titles on the Amazon store in the usual way. On the product detail page, eligible items display a Kindle Unlimited box above the purchasing options.
Books that have audio narration available show a headphone icon next to the Kindle Unlimited logo.
How to Use Kindle Unlimited
Once you have found titles you are interested in, you can borrow them and return them when you are finished.
Borrowing & Returning Books
To borrow a book you have located, click on “Read with Kindle Unlimited” or “Read for Free” on the page. To return a book, navigate to it in your Kindle library and select “Return.”
Reading Kindle Unlimited Books Offline
Although you cannot download or transfer items from Kindle Unlimited, you can read and access them offline on any compatible device. You just need to make sure you access them from the Kindle store on the device or on Amazon.com while connected to the Internet.
How Many Books Can You Borrow at Once?
You can borrow up to 20 titles at one time. If you have all 20 spots filled and want to borrow more, you need to return some to free up the space.
Tips for Maximizing Your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
A Kindle Unlimited subscription gives you access to a vast library without having to buy the items outright. Here are some ways you can get the most out of your Kindle membership:
- Regularly explore new genres and authors
- Make use of audiobooks when you are on the go
- Use the Kindle app to read and view content on multiple devices
- Share books with family members if you have an Amazon Household account
Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?
If you are an avid reader—finishing books quickly or reading multiple books at the same time—the Kindle Unlimited price is good value and can save you money on buying books you may only read once.
Pros & Cons of Kindle Unlimited
- Access to a vast library of content
- Cost-effective for avid readers
- Compatible with multiple devices
- Not all books listed on Amazon are included
- Borrowing is limited 20 titles at one time
Who Should Subscribe to Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is an ideal subscription for:
- Readers who prefer digital content over physical books and magazines
- Avid readers who go through multiple books each month
- Readers who enjoy discovering new authors and a range of genres
- Frequent readers who may not have the space to store multiple books at home
Authors can publish their work to Kindle Unlimited for free using the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform.
They upload their work and then have the option to enroll in the KDP Select program for periods of 90 days. This gives Amazon exclusive rights to sell the work during each 90-day term—the book, magazine, or comics cannot be sold elsewhere during that period, even their own website.
If authors do not agree to the terms of KDP Select, they can still sell their work through Amazon.
How Authors Get Paid Through Kindle Unlimited
Authors get paid through the KDP Select program based on the number of pages that subscribers read, known as the Kindle Edition Normalized Page Count (KENPC). Each month, the KDP Select Global Fund determines each author’s share of the fund based on factors such as exchange rates and customer reading behavior.
For instance, if an author’s fans quickly scroll through a book with the aim of increasing their page counts, the system will detect that the pages were not read and will not pay for them. In certain scenarios, this could result in Amazon blocking the author’s account.
Benefits for Authors on Kindle Unlimited
Authors who make their work available on Kindle Unlimited benefit from:
- Increased visibility
- Wider readership
- Potential for higher earnings through the KDP Select Global Fund
- Access exclusive marketing, including the ability to run sales promotions
Drawbacks for Authors Using Kindle Unlimited
However, authors should consider the disadvantages of listing on Kindle Unlimited and decide whether these outweigh the benefits. They include:
- Exclusivity requirement with Amazon, limiting their audience elsewhere
- Unpredictable earnings
- Lower sales, as readers borrow books instead
- Competition with millions of other titles on Amazon
- Changes to the Kindle Unlimited store, such as categorization, can reduce visibility
How to Cancel Kindle Unlimited
Do you want to know how to cancel your Kindle subscription? Once canceled, your subscription will remain active until your next billing date. You will not receive a refund of any subscription charges you paid.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cancelling Your Subscription
If you find that you are not making use of your Kindle Unlimited account or you need to cancel for any other reason, you can cancel your subscription at any time by following these steps:
- Navigate to your Amazon account
- Click on “Memberships & Subscriptions”
- Click on “Cancel Kindle Unlimited Subscription”
What Happens to Borrowed Books After Cancellation?
Once your Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription is no longer active, you will lose access to any titles you have borrowed.
The Bottom Line
Kindle Unlimited offers a vast library of digital written and audio content for a monthly fee, making it a great option for avid readers.
It also allows authors to expand their reach to Amazon’s large audience and receive a monthly payout based on the number of times their work is viewed.
