Kindle KU, Marketing and Facebook

JWT · 07-13-2026, 09:30 PM

The replies to my last question were genuinely helpful, so I thought I’d ask another one.

When you’re looking for your next sci-fi (or other genre) book on KU, where do you usually find it?

Browsing Amazon categories
Amazon recommendations
Keyword searches
Reddit
Facebook groups
BookBub, Goodreads or other sites
Recommendations from friends
The reason I’m asking is that I’ve avoided Facebook for years (my wife keeps me up to date with the family gossip, which seems a remarkably efficient outsourcing arrangement). I’m wondering if, as a self published author, I’m hurting my chances by refusing to use Facebook, or whether other channels are just as effective.

Thanks in advance

John Westley Turnbull

Quoth · 07-14-2026, 07:53 AM

I only buy ebooks, or borrow from the local library. KU needs to change or be shut down as it's deceptive marketing, invasive surveillance of readers, cheats authors, creates a monopoly even for sales and competes unfairly with real libraries as Amazon gets the content free.

Market your books and make them available on Amazon outside of KU and all the other major retailers. Otherwise you are feeding a monopoly!

Facebook is exploitive and allegedly 98% of advertising on SM is wasted money. Also over 40% of posts on X & Facebook are bots.

Historically about 50% of advertising spend was a waste, but you had no way of knowing which 1/2.

Sirtel · 07-14-2026, 08:22 AM

The first two on your list. I don't use Facebook, Goodreads, Reddit or any other site to find my next read. Or recommendations from friends/family (my family doesn't read books and I have no friends, being a recluse).

Martinoptic · 07-14-2026, 11:56 AM

Bookbub for me. Though I don't buy a huge amount from Amazon.

maddz · 07-14-2026, 12:04 PM

None of the above. If it's an author I've read in the past and enjoyed, then I'll usually pick up a new title when it comes down in price (I very rarely purchase immediately on publication). Otherwise, I keep an eye on the Daily & Monthly Deals on Amazon, and purchase on Kobo (price-matching when necessary) for new authors. So by not selling wide, you're hurting your sales. You don't even need to manage distribution yourself; there's Draft2Digital.

DNSB · 07-14-2026, 06:43 PM

I'm not a big user of Amazon for book purchases so the first 2 really don't apply.

I seldom search for books on Google or other search engines.

My presence on Reddit is rather limited. I've gotten some recommendations from Discord and Ream but those are due to a choice to connect to an author or author group there. I tend to connect to check for any worthwhile content and if none is seen, I disconnect.

Facebook I don't use (my spouse keeps up our family connections there and I am happy to let her do so). I am aware of authors who still use Facebook but most of them are not my cuppa tea.

I've tried several other social media sites for book recommendations but most weren't worth the time I wasted signing up.

I don't make much use of Goodreads, it's just too much like work to search through their slush pile of misinformation looking for the occasional gem. I've had slightly better luck with BookBub.

Recommendations from friends and authors are a bit of hit and miss but better over all than most other sources.

JSWolf · 07-15-2026, 07:17 AM

Recommendations and posts about discounts here help find science fiction books.

JWT · 07-21-2026, 06:01 PM

Thanks for those who responded. Probably not enough replies to form a strong view on the topic, so if anyone else has a view please contribute.
Thanks
John Westley Turnbull

Deskisamess · 07-21-2026, 07:43 PM

I easily get annoyed by anyone advertising a lot on Facebook. I follow authors on Amazon, so I get emails about deals and new book releases. I don't follow any authors on Facebook. I'm not there for ads, I'm looking at family stuff, and a few sewing groups and collectible groups I read and post on.

I also won't click any links in ads...if it something that interests me, I go directly to the site that offers it. I'm not in to earning folks money via affiliate links, and I don't trust links on Facebook, regardless of company.

07-13-2026, 09:30 PM	#1
JWT Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2026 Location: Australia Device: None	Kindle KU, Marketing and Facebook The replies to my last question were genuinely helpful, so I thought I’d ask another one. When you’re looking for your next sci-fi (or other genre) book on KU, where do you usually find it? Browsing Amazon categories Amazon recommendations Keyword searches Reddit Facebook groups BookBub, Goodreads or other sites Recommendations from friends The reason I’m asking is that I’ve avoided Facebook for years (my wife keeps me up to date with the family gossip, which seems a remarkably efficient outsourcing arrangement). I’m wondering if, as a self published author, I’m hurting my chances by refusing to use Facebook, or whether other channels are just as effective. Thanks in advance John Westley Turnbull

07-14-2026, 07:53 AM	#2
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,590 Karma: 114630515 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I only buy ebooks, or borrow from the local library. KU needs to change or be shut down as it's deceptive marketing, invasive surveillance of readers, cheats authors, creates a monopoly even for sales and competes unfairly with real libraries as Amazon gets the content free. Market your books and make them available on Amazon outside of KU and all the other major retailers. Otherwise you are feeding a monopoly! Facebook is exploitive and allegedly 98% of advertising on SM is wasted money. Also over 40% of posts on X & Facebook are bots. Historically about 50% of advertising spend was a waste, but you had no way of knowing which 1/2. Last edited by Quoth; 07-14-2026 at 07:56 AM.

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Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,492 Karma: 248046301 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	The first two on your list. I don't use Facebook, Goodreads, Reddit or any other site to find my next read. Or recommendations from friends/family (my family doesn't read books and I have no friends, being a recluse).

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07-14-2026, 06:43 PM	#6
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 53,354 Karma: 181495311 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I'm not a big user of Amazon for book purchases so the first 2 really don't apply. I seldom search for books on Google or other search engines. My presence on Reddit is rather limited. I've gotten some recommendations from Discord and Ream but those are due to a choice to connect to an author or author group there. I tend to connect to check for any worthwhile content and if none is seen, I disconnect. Facebook I don't use (my spouse keeps up our family connections there and I am happy to let her do so). I am aware of authors who still use Facebook but most of them are not my cuppa tea. I've tried several other social media sites for book recommendations but most weren't worth the time I wasted signing up. I don't make much use of Goodreads, it's just too much like work to search through their slush pile of misinformation looking for the occasional gem. I've had slightly better luck with BookBub. Recommendations from friends and authors are a bit of hit and miss but better over all than most other sources.

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JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 84,309 Karma: 153715495 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Recommendations and posts about discounts here help find science fiction books.

07-21-2026, 06:01 PM	#8
JWT Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2026 Location: Australia Device: None	Thanks for those who responded. Probably not enough replies to form a strong view on the topic, so if anyone else has a view please contribute. Thanks John Westley Turnbull

07-21-2026, 07:43 PM	#9
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,829 Karma: 46117477 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	I easily get annoyed by anyone advertising a lot on Facebook. I follow authors on Amazon, so I get emails about deals and new book releases. I don't follow any authors on Facebook. I'm not there for ads, I'm looking at family stuff, and a few sewing groups and collectible groups I read and post on. I also won't click any links in ads...if it something that interests me, I go directly to the site that offers it. I'm not in to earning folks money via affiliate links, and I don't trust links on Facebook, regardless of company.