Do Indie Authors Need an ISBN? Identifiers, Barcodes, and Bowker
Everything self-publishing authors need to know about ISBNs: free Amazon ISBNs vs Bowker purchases, copyright implications, library distribution, and barcode specs.
An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit identifier used by bookstores, libraries, and retailers to catalog and sell books worldwide.
Free Amazon ISBN vs. Buying Your Own
Amazon KDP provides free ISBNs for print and ebooks. However, Amazon is listed as the publisher of record, and that ISBN cannot be used on other platforms like IngramSpark or Barnes & Noble Press.
When Buying Your Own ISBN Makes Sense
- You want your own publishing imprint name listed on Amazon, IngramSpark, and bookstore catalogs.
- You plan to distribute wide across Apple Books, Kobo, and physical independent bookstores.
- You want your book eligible for public library cataloging via Bowker.