The Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform has transformed self-publishing, allowing anyone to create and distribute books globally—without the need for traditional publishing houses. Among the types of books that gained popularity during this digital revolution are low-content books. These include journals, planners, logbooks, sketchbooks, and other simple interiors that require little to no written content from the creator.
But as the self-publishing world evolves and platforms like Amazon tighten their policies, a pressing question arises: Are low-content books still sold on Amazon KDP in 2025?
The short answer is: Yes, but the game has changed. Let’s explore the full picture.
What Are Low-Content Books?
Low-content books are physical or digital books that have minimal or repetitive content. Typically, these books are meant to be filled in by the user. Unlike novels or non-fiction titles, low-content books don’t contain much written material. Examples include:
- Notebooks (lined, dotted, blank)
- Planners (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Logbooks (fitness, food, mileage, expense)
- Coloring books
- Puzzle books
- Guestbooks
- Gratitude or affirmation journals
They gained popularity because of their ease of creation, low production costs, and high profit potential—at least in the earlier years of KDP.
The Rise of Low-Content Publishing (2017–2022)
Between 2017 and 2022, thousands of creators jumped on the low-content publishing trend. Tools like Canva, BookBolt, and Creative Fabrica made it incredibly easy for anyone to design covers and interiors. You could publish a dozen books in a weekend without writing a single word.
Many sellers reported making hundreds to thousands of dollars monthly by uploading notebooks and planners to Amazon. The success stories multiplied, YouTube tutorials flourished, and the niche began to explode.
Why did it work so well?
- Low barrier to entry: No writing skills required.
- Evergreen demand: People always need notebooks, planners, and journals.
- Scalability: Easy to create 100+ variations in a short time.
- Free distribution: Amazon handled printing, shipping, and customer service.
The Inevitable Saturation
As more sellers entered the market, problems began to surface.
1. Market Flooding
The low-content category became saturated with duplicate books, poor-quality designs, and plagiarized content. Amazon shoppers started seeing thousands of nearly identical results for "Gratitude Journal" or "Fitness Planner."
2. Price Wars
To stand out, sellers began undercutting each other. Profit margins shrank drastically. Books that once sold for $9.99 were now competing at $4.99 or lower—leaving creators with minimal returns.
3. Quality Decline
As the focus shifted to quantity over quality, many creators produced sloppy books, harming the buyer experience and the reputation of KDP’s print marketplace.
Amazon’s Policy Changes (2023–2024)
In response to these issues, Amazon began tightening its policies:
- Mandatory Disclosure: In 2023, Amazon required publishers to mark books as “low-content” during submission.
- Limitations on Categories: Certain categories, like notebooks and planners, saw algorithmic downgrades in visibility.
- Reduced Royalty Opportunities: KDP ads for generic low-content books became more expensive and less effective.
- Content Review Delays: Books flagged as low-effort or AI-generated were delayed or rejected outright.
These changes made it more difficult to succeed with generic low-content books, pushing many sellers to adapt or quit.
Are Low-Content Books Still Selling in 2025?
Yes—but the bar is much higher now.
In 2025, low-content publishing is no longer a passive income goldmine for beginners. However, it’s still a viable business model for those who:
- Focus on quality and originality
- Choose specific, underserved niches
- Combine design excellence with keyword strategy
- Add medium-content features (e.g., prompts, guides, trackers)
Let’s break it down.
What Works Now: The New Rules of Success
1. Niche Selection is Everything
Generic books like “Daily Planner” or “Notebook” are a dead end. Instead, successful sellers focus on hyper-targeted niches. For example:
- “Undated ADHD Planner for College Students”
- “Bariatric Surgery Meal Tracker”
- “Christian Gratitude Journal for Moms”
- “RV Camping Logbook with Weather Tracker”
These titles speak directly to a target audience, increasing the likelihood of conversion and customer loyalty.
2. Design Matters More Than Ever
In the past, many sellers used free templates or reused designs. In 2025, competition and customer expectations demand professional design and usability.
Key design factors include:
- Clean, readable fonts
- Visually appealing layouts
- Functional interior spacing
- High-resolution cover designs
- Durable and practical formatting (e.g., spiral vs. perfect bound)
Tools like Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher, and Canva Pro are widely used by professional sellers.
3. Medium-Content Books Are Taking Over
Books that combine low-content structure with written guidance, prompts, or activities are gaining popularity. These include:
- Guided Journals: e.g., 90-Day Self-Care Journal
- Activity Books: e.g., Math puzzles for 2nd Graders
- Prompt Books: e.g., 365 Writing Prompts for Creative Teens
- Trackers: e.g., Diabetic Health Logbooks with information and trackers
These books add value, encourage customer engagement, and are often seen as more credible by Amazon’s algorithms.
4. Off-Amazon Marketing Is a Must
In 2025, relying solely on Amazon SEO is no longer enough. Smart publishers use:
- Pinterest boards to drive traffic to planners and journals
- Instagram to promote niche-themed books with lifestyle branding
- TikTok for “Day in the Life” marketing featuring journaling or planner habits
- Email newsletters for repeat buyers and seasonal promotions
Some also build mini-websites or blogs to promote their books and improve Google SEO.
5. Quality Over Quantity
Gone are the days when uploading 1000 books would guarantee results. Now, even a small portfolio of 10–20 highly targeted, well-designed books can earn more than hundreds of generic ones.
Case Studies from 2025 Publishers
📓 Case Study 1: “The Wellness Niche”
Maria, a designer and yoga coach, created a series of guided journals for mindfulness, self-care, and anxiety relief. Each book included affirmations, habit trackers, and reflections. Her books sell between $12.99 and $18.99 and earn consistent 5-star reviews.
Her success strategies:
- Added real value through content
- Included bonus QR codes for meditations
- Promoted through her Instagram following
📚 Case Study 2: “The Student Planner Series”
Jason, a former teacher, developed a line of subject-specific planners: “High School Math Planner,” “SAT Prep Journal,” “College Semester Budget Tracker.” By addressing specific pain points and structuring useful content, he built a niche brand with seasonal demand.
His edge:
- Knowledge of student needs
- Seasonal Amazon Ads campaigns
- Bundled planner packs for upsells
What No Longer Works
To avoid wasting time or getting your account flagged, steer clear of these outdated tactics:
| ❌ Strategy | 🚫 Why It Fails |
|---|---|
| Generic notebooks or blank interiors | Oversaturated and de-prioritized by Amazon |
| Mass uploading low-effort designs | Can trigger content reviews and account flags |
| Relying only on free tools or stock templates | Lacks originality and quality |
| Zero keyword research | Your book won’t appear in relevant search results |
| Ignoring reviews or quality control | Poor reviews destroy long-term visibility |
📈 Analytics, Ads, and Data Tracking in 2025
Advanced sellers now use data tools to track their performance:
- Book Bolt Pro: For keyword research, competition analysis, and niche ideas
- Amazon Ads Manager: To A/B test campaigns and track conversions
- Google Analytics & UTM links: For off-Amazon traffic tracking
- Helium10 or Publisher Rocket: For deep keyword analysis (in high-content/medium-content crossover)
It’s not just about publishing anymore—it’s about building a data-informed, branded micro-business.
The Role of AI in KDP Publishing
AI has transformed many aspects of publishing:
- Design Tools: AI helps automate layout creation and design elements
- Content Generation: Prompts, descriptions, and structured guides can be AI-assisted
- Market Research: AI tools can identify trending niches and buyer behaviors
⚠️ However, using AI blindly is dangerous. Amazon now flags AI-generated books that appear spammy, poorly formatted, or copied. Human oversight is more important than ever.
The Future of Low-Content Books
The next evolution of low-content publishing points to several trends:
- Interactivity: QR codes, augmented reality, or downloadable content enhance value.
- Eco-Friendly Formats: Sustainability-conscious designs, materials, and messaging resonate with Gen Z buyers.
- Bundling: Combining digital and print components (e.g., printable worksheets with journals).
- Subscription Models: Publishers launching monthly journals, tracking books, or themed planners with loyal audiences.
Amazon is also rumored to be testing creator storefronts, similar to Etsy or Shopify, which could revolutionize KDP marketing.
✅ Final Verdict: Are Low-Content Books Still Sold in 2025?
Absolutely—but only when done strategically.
Low-content publishing in 2025 is no longer the “get-rich-quick” side hustle it once was. The barrier to success is higher, competition is smarter, and customer expectations are greater.
To thrive, today’s publishers must:
- Think like a brand, not a spammer.
- Combine smart design with niche targeting.
- Diversify into guided content and hybrid formats.
- Build off-Amazon visibility.
- Use data and feedback to improve continuously.
If you’re willing to treat KDP like a real business—not a quick cash scheme—low-content publishing can still be a rewarding and scalable venture in 2025 and beyond.
