Publishing glossary
KDP marketing help
Free days and countdown deals: the KDP Select tools and how to stack them.
The free promo and countdown questions in the community are mostly the same two: the rules require KDP Select, and the displayed price lags the schedule.
Checked:
✓Both tools require KDP Select enrollment✓Five free days per 90-day period✓Countdown runs on a schedule you set
The rules
Free promotions and Kindle Countdown Deals are exclusive to KDP Select. You get up to five free days per 90-day enrollment period, and countdown deals discount the Kindle price on a schedule for readers in supported marketplaces.
- Free days: up to 5 per enrollment period
- Countdown: price steps down, then returns
- Print editions are never part of either tool
How to stack them
The pattern that works for most launches: schedule free days early to seed readers and page reads, then run a countdown deal after the free rush ends to convert the residual traffic. Promote both externally while they run.
Why prices look wrong
Countdown prices sync to each marketplace on their own clock, and scheduled changes can lag by hours. Set the deal to start a day before your promotion posts to avoid advertising the wrong price.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why is my countdown deal showing the wrong price?
Marketplace price sync can lag by hours. Start the deal before your promotion goes out, and check the storefront before paying for ads.
Do free days work without KDP Select?
No. Free promotions require KDP Select enrollment, which also demands Kindle exclusivity.
How many free days do I get?
Up to five per 90-day KDP Select period. Unused days do not carry over.
Do free downloads boost my ranking?
They seed page reads and reviews rather than rank directly. The sales that follow the promo are what move rank.
Know what page reads are worth first.
Estimate KENP earnings before you commit to Select.