# Does the author benefit from me downloading a free Kindle book? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991 "2015-05-27T22:26:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/1 "2015-05-27T22:26:02Z")
I can’t find much information about this - if I decide to take a chance on a only halfway interesting sounding free Kindle book, is doing so of **any** benefit to the author? If I knew they get something out of it, I’d download more of them. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/2 "2015-05-27T22:37:59Z")
I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s likely that the publisher will get something for the download, and in turn the author will get something, but I think the royalty payment will be pretty minimal. The only way that wouldn’t be the case is if the author/publisher provided the book free to Amazon in order to boost readership for a particular author. ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/3 "2015-05-27T22:44:09Z")
There is no monetary benefit - you put no money in, so they get no money out. But it gives them a chance to pitch you on other books and it helps their author popularity ranking which could help them sell other books that they’re not giving away for free. Many authors start with free books to find their market (or test a market) and then add for-pay books to their library of titles on offer later. If I can’t give away books on underwater kickboxing, it’s a good bet I’ll never sell any either. On the other hand, if “Underwater Kickboxing Made Easy” gets massive downloads, then that’s an indication that there might be a market for my follow-up for pay book, “Underwater Kickboxing for Fun and Profit.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Angry\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@The\_Angry\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Angry_Badger)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/4 "2015-05-27T22:44:10Z")
No - author royalties from Amazon are either 35% or 70%. Obviously, 35% of $0 is $0. From [Amazon](https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A29FL26OKE7R7B): > [@](#): > > ii. Example: > > • Same as above but we’re matching a free promotion on another sales channel. > • Your Royalty is zero. Authors do this in order to get their names out there, in the hope that if you enjoyed their free book, then you’ll go back and purchase some of their paid offerings. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/5 "2015-05-27T22:50:22Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > if I decide to take a chance on a only halfway interesting sounding free Kindle book, is doing so of **any** benefit to the author? Obviously, it can indirectly benefit the author, if you read it and like it and (1) tell other people about it, (2) leave a favorable review, and/or (3) spend money on the author’s other works. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/6 "2015-05-28T05:48:32Z")
I have clients who do this as a primary marketing method, and even pay to advertise their free books. It’s almost always for the first in a series of books, though. If I were an author I would answer this by saying while I do not receive a penny from your free “purchase,” it certainly benefits me if I know what I’m doing. ETA: I check out books for free from the library a lot. Doing so has benefited authors frequently. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-author-benefit-from-me-downloading-a-free-kindle-book/720991/7 "2015-05-28T15:44:13Z")
Also note that a book may be free only for a certain amount of time. The author may put the book out for free for a while to get reviews, then start charging for it. People looking for the book later don’t know it was free for a time. Book prices can change FREQUENTLY. I often look at the “Top 100 Free” books, and find that some now have prices on them. J.