How to Update Your KDP Book After Publishing

Publishing a book on Amazon KDP is not the final step in your author journey. One of the biggest advantages of Amazon’s print-on-demand system is that you can update your book any time, even after it’s live. Whether you want to fix typos, improve your illustrations, update metadata, or redesign your cover — KDP makes it possible.

This guide explains exactly how to update your KDP book after publishing, what changes you can make, how long updates take, and the best practices to keep your book ranking well on Amazon.

Why You May Need to Update Your KDP Book

Authors often update their books for several reasons:

• Fixing typos or grammar errors

• Updating or improving illustrations

• Correcting formatting or bleed issues

• Changing keywords or categories

• Adding more educational content

• Improving the book description

• Updating the cover for better conversions

• Correcting printing issues reported by readers

• Creating a more professional edition

No matter the reason, updating your KDP book is free, simple, and boosts long-term quality.

1. What You Can Update on Amazon KDP

KDP allows you to update almost every part of your book, including:

✔ Interior (PDF or manuscript)

• New text

• New illustrations

• Better formatting

• Fixed bleed or margins

• Corrected page numbers

✔ Cover (PDF, JPG, or KDP Cover Creator)

• New design

• Updated spine text

• Better layout

• Improved colors

✔ Book Description

You can rewrite or optimize your description anytime using HTML formatting.

✔ Keywords

Update to improve Amazon SEO.

✔ Categories

Change existing ones or request additional categories.

✔ Author bio, metadata, contributors, age range, and editorial details

You cannot change:

• Primary language

• Print type (B&W → Color or vice versa)

• Binding type (Paperback → Hardcover)

• Marketplace you originally selected

For these, you must publish a new edition.

2. How to Update Your KDP Book (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the exact process to update a published KDP title:

STEP 1: Log in to Your KDP Bookshelf

Go to: https://kdp.amazon.com

Find the book you want to update (paperback, hardcover, or eBook).

STEP 2: Click “Edit Details” or “Edit Content”

KDP divides updates into 3 tabs:

1. Book Details

2. Book Content

3. Book Pricing

Choose the relevant section to update.

STEP 3: Upload the New File

If updating interior or cover, upload the new PDF or manuscript.

For print interiors, ensure:

• 300 DPI images

• Correct bleed

• Correct trim size

• Fonts embedded

• PDF/X-1a:2001 preferred

For covers:

• Correct spine width

• CMYK colors

• 300 DPI

• No text in barcode area

STEP 4: Launch the KDP Previewer

KDP Previewer will show:

• Cropped images

• Misaligned text

• Incorrect bleed

• Spine errors

• Hidden margin problems

Fix and reupload until all errors clear.

STEP 5: Save and Submit for Publishing

After final review:

• Click Save & Continue

• Go to final page

• Click Publish Your Paperback/Hardcover/eBook

Your updated edition goes into review.

3. How Long Do KDP Updates Take?

Typical review times:

• eBook updates: 12–48 hours

• Paperback updates: 24–72 hours

• Hardcover updates: 72+ hours (sometimes up to 5 days)

During review:

• Your book remains live

• Customers can still purchase it

• New version becomes available after approval

4. Will Customers See the New Version Immediately?

Paperback & Hardcover:

Yes — once approved, all new orders ship with the updated version.

eBooks:

Yes, but:

Amazon does not automatically send updates to past buyers unless the update is significant.

For major corrections, you can request Amazon to notify readers.

5. Will Updating Your Book Affect Your Ranking?

No.
Updating your book does not reset your ranking, reviews, or ASIN.

However:

Updates can improve ranking when:

• You fix customer complaints

• You optimize metadata

• You improve the cover design

• You strengthen your book description

These updates often increase conversions, which boosts rank.

6. Best Practices for Updating Your KDP Book

✔ Update metadata every 2–3 months

Keywords, categories, and descriptions should evolve based on market trends.

✔ Fix any negative reviews

If a reader complains about formatting or errors — update ASAP.

✔ If sales are slow, update the cover

A strong cover can double your conversion rate.

✔ Keep your source files organized

Each update should be fast and efficient.

✔ Test your book with Amazon’s Previewer before publishing

Especially important for picture books and children’s books.

✔ Keep your trim size consistent

Changing trim size will require full reformatting.

7. When Should You Create a “Second Edition”?

Publish a new edition if:

• You change the trim size

• You significantly rewrite the content

• You add more pages

• You redesign the entire book

• You change interior color type (B&W → Color)

• You want a new ISBN

New editions often sell better because customers see “Revised Edition.”

Final Thoughts

Updating your KDP book after publishing is one of the biggest advantages of Amazon’s platform. Whether you're fixing small errors or doing a full refresh, updates improve professionalism, reader satisfaction, and long-term sales potential.

By using effective metadata, high-quality interior files, and polished covers, you can keep your book competitive in Amazon’s crowded marketplace.

If you need help updating your:

• Children’s book illustrations

• KDP formatting

• Cover design

• Metadata and keywords

• Page layout or bleed setup

Whimsy Studios offers complete support for authors.

Visit WhimsyStudios.net to professionalize your book.