The numbers
| What happened | KDP category | Disclose? |
|---|---|---|
| An AI tool wrote the story; you rewrote much of it | AI-generated text | Yes |
| You wrote the book; an AI tool fixed grammar and suggested edits | AI-assisted | No |
| An AI tool brainstormed plot ideas; you wrote every word | AI-assisted | No |
| An AI tool made the illustrations or the cover art | AI-generated images | Yes |
| An AI tool translated your book | AI-generated translation | Yes |
| You drew the art; an AI tool cleaned it up | AI-assisted | No |
The rule
KDP's content guidelines draw the line at who created the content. If an AI tool created the actual text, images or translation, the content is AI-generated, and substantial editing afterwards doesn't change that. If you created it and used AI to edit, refine, error-check or otherwise improve it, it is AI-assisted, and KDP says you don't need to disclose it. The same goes for using AI to brainstorm and generate ideas when you then create the text or images yourself.
Disclosure is part of publishing: KDP asks when you publish a new book and again when you make edits and republish. Each format (Kindle eBook, paperback, hardcover) is set up separately in KDP, so answer on each one.
What disclosure doesn't change
Disclosing doesn't make a book acceptable on its own: you remain responsible for AI content following KDP's content guidelines and not infringing anyone's rights. KDP's other rules still apply, including the limit of 2 new titles per format per week.
Example: an AI-made picture book
A picture book whose story and illustrations were both generated with AI: disclose AI-generated text and AI-generated images, cover included, on every format you publish. If you later regenerate some pages and republish, answer the question again for the new version.
Common mistakes
- Calling heavily edited AI text "AI-assisted". Editing doesn't change who created it.
- Declaring the interior art but forgetting that the cover was AI-generated too.
- Answering for the eBook and not for the paperback or hardcover.
- Not revisiting the answer when republishing with new AI content.
- Treating disclosure as approval: the book still goes through KDP's normal review.
In kdpbook: Text and illustrations that kdpbook writes or draws count as AI-generated under KDP's definition, and its listing sheet includes the AI-disclosure answers to give KDP.