How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon (2026 Guide)

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How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon: Quick Insights

  • Main Platforms: Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Merch on Demand, TuneCore, Amazon Appstore, Audible
  • Product Types: Ebooks and planners, digital art and POD designs, music and audio files, mobile apps and games, audiobooks
  • Startup Costs: Low upfront investment, no physical inventory or shipping, mainly platform and distribution fees
  • Royalty Ranges: 35–70 percent for KDP ebooks, up to 100 percent of music royalties via TuneCore minus fees, 70 percent of app list price, variable Merch on Demand royalties, 30–50 percent for Audible audiobooks
  • Best For: Authors, designers, musicians, developers, and POD sellers who want scalable, semi passive income
  • Core Steps: Create an account, choose your product type, upload and optimize your listing, set pricing and royalties, launch and promote
  • Key Marketing Channels: Amazon Ads, TikTok, Pinterest, email marketing, and educational content that drives traffic back to your listings
  • Important Restrictions: No direct file downloads like standalone PDFs or templates and no unapproved software or apps outside Amazon’s official platforms

Turn digital products into recurring revenue. List ebooks, art, and audio on Amazon while selling print on demand cases and accessories in parallel. Build your POD brand with Podbase →

In 2026, Amazon is growing fast in digital products and content. You can join early and make money online by selling digital items on Amazon.

As a creator or small business owner, you can reach people all over the world. You don’t need to worry about shipping or keeping stock.

This guide will show you how to sell digital products on Amazon. You’ll learn what sells best, how to open your account, list your products, and get found in search.

Let’s get started!

Why Sell Digital Products on Amazon

According to Semrush, Amazon has over 2.5 billion average monthly visits globally. 

Image via Semrush

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs, selling digital products on Amazon offers several pros. These include:

  • Access to a Massive Audience: Selling digital products on Amazon gives you exposure to millions of active buyers. You don’t have to build your own website or spend heavily on ads to attract traffic to make sales.
  • Low Startup Costs and Minimal Risk: The cost of getting started on Amazon is minimal. You can upload your digital products and start earning royalties or commissions without managing inventory or shipping.
  • Ideal for Different Types of Creators: Amazon offers opportunities for entrepreneurs of all kinds. With this flexibility, you can diversify your income streams and grow your brand.

Also Read:

What Digital Products Can You Sell on Amazon?

Amazon gives creators access to multiple platforms where they can sell different digital products. Each platform has its own publishing tools, audience, and revenue system. 

Below is a detailed breakdown of the main digital product categories you can sell on Amazon without inventory.

Product Type Platform Example Revenue Model
Ebooks Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Novels, guides, journals, low-content books, educational materials 35 percent or 70 percent royalty depending on ebook list price
Music TuneCore (Amazon Music) Singles, albums, instrumentals 100 percent of royalties from digital stores and streaming services minus distribution fees
Apps and Games Amazon Appstore Mobile apps, utilities, games 70 percent of the app list price for developer revenue
Art and Designs Amazon Merch on Demand Print on demand designs for t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters, phone cases, tote bags Royalty based on product offer price
Audiobooks Audible Self-narrated or professionally recorded audiobooks 50 percent royalty for exclusive distribution or 30 percent for non-exclusive

What You Can’t Sell Digitally on Amazon

While Amazon offers several ways to sell digital products, there are restrictions on what can be listed.

Sellers cannot offer direct file downloads, such as PDFs, templates, or digital planners. These products must be distributed through approved platforms like KDP or Merch on Demand. 

Similarly, online courses, software, or apps that aren’t distributed via the Amazon Developer Console are not permitted.

Step-By-Step: How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon

Learning how to sell digital products on Amazon is simple. Here’s a breakdown of what’s involved.

Step 1 – Create an Amazon Seller or KDP Account

Start by creating your account. Visit sellercentral.amazon.com if you plan to sell through the Merch or the Appstore. 

Image via Amazon

Alternatively, go to kdp.amazon.com if you’re publishing ebooks or journals. 

Image via Amazon

On these platforms, you can choose between two plan options:

  • Individual: $0.99/unit sold plus a per-item referral fee based on the category.
  • Professional: $39.99/month, offers advanced selling tools and reporting features.

Once you’ve chosen a plan, verify your identity, business details, and tax information. 

Step 2 – Choose Your Product Type

The next step is to determine what to sell online. This is important because different digital products on Amazon have different upload platforms and rules.

As listed in the section above, the digital product categories you can sell on Amazon include eBooks, music, apps and games, arts, and print-on-demand designs. 

Step 3 – Upload and Optimize Your Product

Once your account is set up, you can upload your digital product. Here are some tips to optimize your product listing.

  • Use keyword-rich titles to help people find your products.
  • Write clear descriptions and use bullet points to make it easily readable. 
  • Use high-quality images or cover art (recommended size: 1200×1600 pixels) to make your listing look professional.

Step 4 – Set Pricing and Royalties

Next, decide how you want to price your product. The price you set for your products will determine how much you can earn from them based on the royalty rates explained below.

  • KDP (Ebooks): 35% or 70% royalty, depending on your ebook’s list price.
  • Amazon Music through TuneCore (Music or Audio): 100% of digital sales (minus the TuneCore fees).
  • Amazon Appstore (Apps & Games): 70% of your list price goes to you.
  • Amazon Merch on Demand (Digital Art & Designs): Amazon deducts production cost from your retail price.
  • Audible / ACX (Audiobooks): 50% royalty for exclusive distribution or 30% royalty for non-exclusive distribution.

Step 5 – Launch and Promote

After publishing, you need to market your product to drive traffic to your Amazon listing. You can use any of these methods to grow your reach.

  • Amazon Ads: Run Sponsored Product ads on Amazon so your listing shows up in search results.
  • Social Media Marketing: Showcase your products on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to attract interest.
  • Email Campaigns: Send updates to your subscribers about new product launches or special offers.

Also Read:

How to Sell Digital Art on Amazon

You can make money from your artwork if you know how to sell digital products on Amazon.

To get started:

  • Sign up for a Merch on Demand account if you already have an Amazon account.
Image via Amazon
  • Once your account is set up, prepare and upload your digital artwork. Save each design as a PNG at 300 DPI with a transparent background. 
  • Next, choose which products to offer. Start with a few dropshipping ideas like t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and posters.
  • Afterwards, you can set your price. You can start low to attract buyers and raise prices later.

Why This Works

Amazon handles printing, packing, and shipping, so you avoid inventory and shipping headaches. This keeps your startup cost low and your risk small.

How to Sell Ebooks and Planners on Amazon

You can make extra income online from ebook sales if you learn how to sell digital products on Amazon.

Here’s how to sell digital downloads on Amazon.

  • Create a KDP Account: Visit kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account or create a new one.
Image via Amazon
  • Prepare Your Files: Format your interior pages in PDF or DOCX and design a professional book cover in JPG format.
  • Upload Your Book: Fill in your title, description, and keywords. Upload both your interior and cover files, then preview how your eBook or planner looks on Kindle devices.
  • Set Pricing and Distribution: Choose your list price and enable global distribution to make your book available on all Amazon marketplaces.

Best-Selling Categories

If you’re unsure what to create, you can start with trending niches like:

  • Guided journals and affirmation books
  • Digital business planners
  • AI prompt guides and productivity eBooks
  • Coloring books for adults
  • Self-help and career growth content

KDP Royalties

Amazon pays royalties based on your book’s price and size. Here’s how:

  • 35% royalty for books priced below $2.99 or above $9.99
  • 70% royalty for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99
  • Delivery fee of $0.15/megabyte (MB) for ebooks

How to Sell Music and Audio Files on Amazon

TuneCore is a great channel to sell music on Amazon as it pushes your tracks to Amazon Music (and 150+ streaming services). 

You get to keep 100% of your royalties and only pay the distribution fee. It’s good for independent musicians, podcasters, or producers looking to reach more listeners.

Steps to Sell Your Audio Files

Image via TuneCore
  • Upload your mastered audio files in formats like WAV and FLAC.
  • Also, upload an eye-catching album cover as JPG or GIF (at least 1600 x 1600 pixels). Then fill in all metadata, including song title, artist name, genre, and release date. 
  • Choose where you want your audio to appear. You can select Amazon Music and over 150 other platforms.

How to Sell Apps and Games on Amazon

If you’ve built a mobile app or game, you can sell your digital products on Amazon to millions of users worldwide.

Amazon statistics show that around 19% of apps on the Amazon Appstore are paid, compared to only about 3% on Google Play.

Image via Statista

As a developer, you have more opportunities to earn from premium downloads. Here’s what you can do:

Image via Amazon
  • Submit your app package in .apk or .aab format. Make sure to test and optimize it for Amazon devices like Fire tablets.
  • Upload your app metadata like title, description, pricing, icon, and screenshots.
  • Use the Amazon Monetization SDK to set up in-app purchases, ads, or subscriptions.

Marketing Strategies for Selling Digital Products on Amazon

Amazon’s marketplace is competitive, so you need to ensure that your products can stand out and earn consistent sales.

Here are the marketing methods you can use to reach more people for your digital products.

Optimize for Amazon SEO

Just like Google, Amazon uses search algorithms to match products with what shoppers are looking for.

To rank higher, focus on using keywords that your ideal customers type into the search bar. Add these keywords naturally to your product title and description and make sure the product images are high-quality.

Leverage TikTok and Pinterest

Social media advertising is a powerful way to promote your digital products. Platforms like TikTok and Pinterest are effective because they focus on visuals and short-form storytelling. 

You can create short videos on TikTok that showcase your product in action. Also, you can sell on Pinterest by designing pins to drive traffic to your Amazon store.

Email and Content Marketing

You can build an audience outside Amazon to have control over your marketing and sales. Create a website or landing page where customers can sign up for updates. 

Once you have an email list, send out newsletters that feature product updates and tips related to your business niche.

Pair this with content marketing. This includes blog posts, guides, or short tutorials that educate your audience while promoting your product. 

Also Read:

Conclusion

Follow the steps explained in this guide on how to sell digital products on Amazon to get started. 

Begin small, test your ideas, and scale as your sales grow. You can also sell print-on-demand items on Amazon through platforms like Podbase to expand your income.

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