Kindle Unlimited question

ArizonaGuy · 06-01-2026, 07:28 PM

I have not been a fan of Kindle Unlimited for a couple of reasons, the first being that my interest generally lies outside of the books available through KU and the second being that I am not, by choice, a fast reader. I take my time and a book can easily take me 7-10 days to read (I also listen to Audible books and that takes up much of my time) so KU never seemed to make economic sense for me either. However I recently came across a couple of books that I wanted to read and they were expensive enough that I finally joined KU since I thought it would save me some money.

I also recently bought a subscription from Speechify and thought I would mix eBook reading and eBook listening using the Kindle link in Speechify which logs into your Kindle account to get access to the books. I already do that with Kindle books I have bought (for purchased books authors get paid whether or not I read the book), and that worked well, but I saw a YouTube video by a KU author describing how authors get paid and that involves how much of their book readers actually read. If you borrow a KU book and only read the first chapter they get paid very little. If you read more they get paid more and if you read the whole book they get the maximum. I want to reward the KU authors of the books I read but was wondering if anyone knew if listening to a KU book using Speechify counted as reading or not. It seems unfair to listen if the author who put all that work into writing the book gets nothing because I am listening rather than using the Kindle app or Kindle device.

Does anyone know? Or should I contact some KU authors and ask them?

JSWolf · Today, 10:30 AM

Using Speechify (if it works) does not count as reading. You need to read on your Kindle or a Kindle APP for the author to get paid.

Deskisamess · Today, 03:40 PM

I believe Amazon counts the pages regardless of device used. But I know nothing about Speechify.

The majority of my KU books are read in the Kindle app on my iPhone using Speak Screen. Many of the books I borrow are never even downloaded to my Paperwhite.

Given how many people use the Kindle app I can't imagine KU authors aren't being paid for those borrows.

Why would the authors permit their books to be used in a Kindle app if they weren't being paid?

My answer was to Jon, who has since edited his post. He originally said you had to read on a Kindle for the author to be paid.

DNSB · Today, 04:18 PM

Speechify is not a Kindle app though some versions are able to connect to Amazon to access your Amazon books. As near as I could tell in a quick test with the Windows version of the app, it required me to open Kindle4PC and select the content on the page I wanted to listen to so Amazon would be able to track page progress.

06-01-2026, 07:28 PM	#1
ArizonaGuy Connoisseur Posts: 56 Karma: 914 Join Date: Feb 2025 Location: Phoenix metro area Device: Kindle Oasis & Paperwhite, Boox Note, ViWoods AiPaper Mini, Speechify	Kindle Unlimited question I have not been a fan of Kindle Unlimited for a couple of reasons, the first being that my interest generally lies outside of the books available through KU and the second being that I am not, by choice, a fast reader. I take my time and a book can easily take me 7-10 days to read (I also listen to Audible books and that takes up much of my time) so KU never seemed to make economic sense for me either. However I recently came across a couple of books that I wanted to read and they were expensive enough that I finally joined KU since I thought it would save me some money. I also recently bought a subscription from Speechify and thought I would mix eBook reading and eBook listening using the Kindle link in Speechify which logs into your Kindle account to get access to the books. I already do that with Kindle books I have bought (for purchased books authors get paid whether or not I read the book), and that worked well, but I saw a YouTube video by a KU author describing how authors get paid and that involves how much of their book readers actually read. If you borrow a KU book and only read the first chapter they get paid very little. If you read more they get paid more and if you read the whole book they get the maximum. I want to reward the KU authors of the books I read but was wondering if anyone knew if listening to a KU book using Speechify counted as reading or not. It seems unfair to listen if the author who put all that work into writing the book gets nothing because I am listening rather than using the Kindle app or Kindle device. Does anyone know? Or should I contact some KU authors and ask them?

Today, 10:30 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 83,612 Karma: 153646251 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Using Speechify (if it works) does not count as reading. You need to read on your Kindle or a Kindle APP for the author to get paid. Last edited by JSWolf; Today at 05:48 PM.

Today, 03:40 PM	#3
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,818 Karma: 46117477 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	I believe Amazon counts the pages regardless of device used. But I know nothing about Speechify. The majority of my KU books are read in the Kindle app on my iPhone using Speak Screen. Many of the books I borrow are never even downloaded to my Paperwhite. Given how many people use the Kindle app I can't imagine KU authors aren't being paid for those borrows. Why would the authors permit their books to be used in a Kindle app if they weren't being paid? My answer was to Jon, who has since edited his post. He originally said you had to read on a Kindle for the author to be paid. Last edited by Deskisamess; Today at 07:18 PM. Reason: Clarity after Jon edited his post

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Today, 04:18 PM	#4
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 52,133 Karma: 180576666 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Speechify is not a Kindle app though some versions are able to connect to Amazon to access your Amazon books. As near as I could tell in a quick test with the Windows version of the app, it required me to open Kindle4PC and select the content on the page I wanted to listen to so Amazon would be able to track page progress.

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