How to Disclose AI Content on Amazon KDP: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why AI Disclosure Matters on Amazon KDP

If you publish books on Amazon KDP and use any AI tools in your workflow, you are required to disclose it. This is not optional. Amazon introduced mandatory AI content disclosure as part of its updated content guidelines, and every author who uses AI-based tools to generate text, images, or translations must complete this step before their book goes live.

Many authors are confused about exactly what needs to be disclosed, where to find the disclosure form, and how to fill it out correctly. Some skip it entirely because they are not sure it applies to them. Others over-disclose out of caution, or under-disclose because they misunderstand what counts as "AI-generated."

This guide walks you through the entire process, step by step. By the end, you will know exactly where to find the AI disclosure section in your KDP dashboard, what to select for different types of AI usage, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that trip up authors.

Getting this right matters for three reasons. First, non-compliance can result in your book being removed or your account being suspended. Second, honest disclosure builds trust with Amazon and with your readers. Third, as AI detection technology improves, the risk of being caught with undisclosed AI content increases over time. It is far better to disclose proactively than to deal with consequences later.

Where to Find the AI Disclosure Section in Your KDP Dashboard

The AI content disclosure form is part of the book setup workflow in KDP. You will encounter it every time you create a new title or update an existing one. Here is exactly how to navigate to it:

What Counts as AI-Generated vs. AI-Assisted

This is where most authors get confused. Amazon draws a clear line between content that was generated by AI and content that was assisted by AI. Understanding this distinction is critical to filling out the disclosure form correctly.

The core principle is simple: if an AI tool created the content that appears in your published book, disclose it. If an AI tool helped you improve content that you created, you generally do not need to disclose it.

Step-by-Step: How to Disclose AI-Generated Text

If you used AI tools to generate any of the written content in your book — including chapters, sections, introductions, back matter, or any other text that appears in the published manuscript — here is exactly how to handle the disclosure.

When to Select "Yes" for Text

Select "Yes" for AI-generated text if any of the following apply:

• You used ChatGPT, Claude, Jasper, Copy.ai, or any large language model to write portions of your book's content.
• You prompted an AI to generate paragraphs, chapters, or sections that appear in the final manuscript — even if you edited them afterward.
• You used an AI tool to generate your book's introduction, conclusion, chapter summaries, or back matter content.
• You used an AI writing tool to expand your notes or bullet points into full prose that appears in the book.

When to Select "No" for Text

Select "No" if:

• You wrote all the text yourself and only used AI tools for grammar checking, spell checking, or style suggestions.
• You used AI to brainstorm ideas or create outlines, but wrote all the published content in your own words.
• You dictated your book and used AI-powered transcription to convert speech to text.
• You used standard word processor features like autocomplete, autocorrect, or predictive text.

How to Fill It Out

In the AI-Generated Content section of the Book Content tab, find the question about text content. Select the option indicating that AI-generated text is present in your book. If the form asks for additional details about the nature or extent of AI usage, provide a brief, honest description. For example: "AI was used to generate initial drafts of chapter content, which were then reviewed and edited by the author."

Step-by-Step: How to Disclose AI-Generated Images

Image disclosure is particularly important for authors of coloring books, activity books, children's books, and any title that includes interior illustrations or AI-generated cover art.

When to Select "Yes" for Images

Select "Yes" for AI-generated images if any of the following apply:

• You used Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly, or any AI image generator to create images that appear in your book.
• Your cover art was created using an AI image generation tool.
• Interior illustrations, coloring pages, or decorative elements were generated by AI.
• You used AI to generate a base image and then edited it in Photoshop or another tool — the origin was still AI.
• You used an AI tool to convert photographs into illustrations, line art, or other artistic styles for your book's content.

When to Select "No" for Images

Select "No" if:

• All images were created by a human artist (you or someone you hired) using traditional or digital art tools without AI generation.
• You used stock photos that you licensed from a stock photo service (check the stock service's terms regarding AI content in their library).
• You used AI-powered editing tools only for minor adjustments like color correction, noise reduction, or sharpening on images you photographed or drew yourself.
• Your puzzle content (word searches, mazes, sudoku) was generated by algorithmic software, not generative AI models.

How to Fill It Out

In the AI-Generated Content section, find the question about images. Select the option indicating that AI-generated images are present. If asked for additional detail, describe the nature of usage. For example: "Cover image and interior coloring page illustrations were created using an AI image generation tool and subsequently reviewed and adjusted by the author."

Step-by-Step: How to Disclose AI-Generated Translations

Translations are a category that many authors overlook. If you have translated your book into another language using AI tools, Amazon specifically requires you to disclose this.

When to Select "Yes" for Translations

Select "Yes" for AI-generated translations if:

• You used Google Translate, DeepL, ChatGPT, or any AI-powered translation tool to translate your book into another language.
• You used machine translation as a first pass and then had a human reviewer edit the output. The initial translation was still AI-generated.
• You used AI to translate portions of your book, such as a glossary, appendix, or marketing copy that appears within the published content.

When to Select "No" for Translations

Select "No" if:

• A human translator translated your book entirely without AI translation tools.
• You are a bilingual author who wrote the translated version yourself in the target language.
• Your book is published in its original language and has not been translated.

How to Fill It Out

In the AI-Generated Content section, find the question about translations. Select the option indicating that AI translation was used. If additional detail is requested, describe the process. For example: "The book was originally written in English and translated to Spanish using an AI translation tool. The translation was reviewed and corrected by a native Spanish-speaking editor."

Common Mistakes Authors Make with AI Disclosure

After working with thousands of self-published authors, we have seen the same mistakes come up again and again. Avoid these to stay compliant and protect your account.

Mistake 1: Not Disclosing Because "I Edited Everything"

This is the most common mistake. Authors reason that because they heavily edited the AI output, it is now "their" content and does not need disclosure. Amazon does not see it this way. If AI generated the initial content — regardless of how much you edited it — it is AI-generated content that requires disclosure.

Mistake 2: Forgetting About Cover Art

Many authors focus on text disclosure and forget that their cover image was also created by AI. If you used Midjourney, DALL-E, or another AI tool to generate your cover, this must be disclosed in the images section. This applies even if a designer composed the final cover layout using the AI-generated image as a base element.

Mistake 3: Not Updating Older Books

If you published books before the AI disclosure requirement existed, and those books contain AI-generated content, you should go back and update the disclosure. Amazon may review older titles, and having undisclosed AI content in your catalog creates ongoing risk.

Mistake 4: Confusing the Book Description with Book Content

The AI disclosure on KDP applies to the content of your book (the manuscript, the images inside it, and any translations). Your Amazon listing description and other marketing materials are separate. However, if AI-generated marketing text appears inside your book (such as in the back matter), that would need to be disclosed.

Mistake 5: Assuming Algorithmic Tools Are the Same as AI

Word search generators, maze generators, sudoku solvers, and similar algorithmic tools are not the same as generative AI models. These tools use mathematical algorithms to produce puzzles, not neural networks trained on creative content. In most cases, puzzle content generated by such tools does not require AI disclosure. However, if the tool uses a large language model or generative AI as part of its process, disclosure may be appropriate.

Mistake 6: Disclosing in the Wrong Category

Some authors mark "Yes" for AI-generated text when they only used AI for images, or vice versa. Be precise. If you used AI only for generating coloring pages (images) but wrote all the text yourself, mark "Yes" for images and "No" for text. Accuracy matters — both over-disclosing in the wrong category and under-disclosing in the right one can create confusion.

Mistake 7: Ignoring Translations

Authors who translate their books using DeepL, Google Translate, or ChatGPT frequently forget that translations are a separate disclosure category. If you published a translated version using AI, that specific title needs the translation disclosure — even if the original-language version does not.

What Happens If You Do Not Disclose AI Content

Amazon takes its content policies seriously, and the consequences of non-disclosure can be severe. Here is what you risk:

Book Removal

Amazon can remove your book from sale without prior warning. If Amazon's review team determines that your book contains undisclosed AI-generated content, the book can be taken down immediately. You may or may not receive an explanation. Reinstatement is not guaranteed and typically requires you to update the disclosure and resubmit for review.

Account Suspension

Repeated violations or egregious non-disclosure can result in your entire KDP account being suspended. This means all your books — not just the one in violation — become unavailable for sale. Account reinstatement is a lengthy process with no guaranteed outcome.

Royalty Clawback

Amazon reserves the right to withhold or reclaim royalties earned on books that violated its content policies. If you earned royalties on a book with undisclosed AI content, those earnings could be at risk.

Publishing Restrictions

Even if your account is not fully suspended, Amazon may restrict your ability to publish new titles, limit your daily publishing volume, or subject all your future publications to enhanced review. These restrictions can significantly slow down your publishing business.

Reputation Damage

Beyond Amazon's direct penalties, being caught with undisclosed AI content can damage your reputation with readers and within the self-publishing community. Trust, once lost, is difficult to rebuild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to disclose AI content on Amazon KDP?

Yes. Amazon KDP requires all publishers to disclose whether AI-based tools were used to generate content in their books. This applies to three categories: text, images, and translations. The disclosure must be completed during the book setup process in the Book Content tab. Failure to disclose can result in book removal or account suspension.

Will disclosing AI content hurt my book's ranking on Amazon?

No. Amazon has stated that disclosing AI-generated content does not negatively affect your book's visibility, search ranking, or sales performance. The disclosure is purely a compliance and transparency measure. Many bestselling books on KDP have AI disclosure enabled. The quality of your book, your reviews, and your marketing efforts are what determine your ranking — not your AI disclosure status.

What if I used AI for only a small part of my book?

You should still disclose. The disclosure requirement applies even if AI was used for a small portion of your content. For example, if you wrote 95% of your book yourself but used AI to generate one chapter, you should disclose AI-generated text. If you drew all but two illustrations and used AI for those two, you should disclose AI-generated images. There is no minimum threshold — any AI-generated content requires disclosure.

Do I need to disclose if I used AI for brainstorming or outlining?

No. Using AI tools for brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, or researching topics does not require disclosure, as long as you wrote the actual published content yourself. Amazon's disclosure requirement applies to content that was generated by AI and appears in the final published book. Using AI as a thinking tool is different from using it as a content creation tool.

What if I am not sure whether my use of AI counts as "generated" or "assisted"?

When in doubt, disclose. Amazon will not penalize you for disclosing when it was not strictly required. However, it can penalize you for not disclosing when it was required. The safer approach is always to err on the side of transparency. Ask yourself: "Did AI produce content that appears in my published book?" If the answer is yes or even maybe, select "Yes" in the disclosure form.

A Quick-Reference Disclosure Checklist

Before you hit "Publish" on your next KDP book, run through this checklist to make sure your AI disclosure is accurate:

1. Inventory your AI usage. List every tool you used during the creation of this book. Include writing tools, image generators, translation services, and any other AI-powered software.
2. Classify each tool. For each tool, determine whether it generated content (AI-generated) or helped you improve your own content (AI-assisted). Use the comparison table above if you are unsure.
3. Check the text disclosure. If any AI tool generated text that appears in your published manuscript, mark "Yes" for text in the disclosure form.
4. Check the image disclosure. If any AI tool generated images that appear in your book (cover or interior), mark "Yes" for images.
5. Check the translation disclosure. If you used AI to translate your book into another language, mark "Yes" for translations.
6. Provide detail if asked. If the form asks for a description of your AI usage, be honest and specific. Describe what tools you used and how you used them.
7. Save and review. Before proceeding to the pricing tab, review your disclosure selections one more time. It is much easier to correct a mistake now than after publication.

Final Thoughts

AI disclosure on Amazon KDP is straightforward once you understand the process. The form is simple, the categories are clear, and the consequences of non-compliance are avoidable. The key principles are: be honest about what AI tools you used, disclose when AI generated content in your book, and err on the side of transparency when you are unsure.

As AI tools become more integrated into the publishing workflow, disclosure will become as routine as filling in your book's price or selecting a category. Authors who build good disclosure habits now will be well positioned as the industry continues to evolve.

Use AI to work smarter, disclose it properly, and focus your energy on what matters most: creating books that genuinely serve your readers.

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