The Read sample feature allows readers to search through and preview samples of your books. When you publish a book, it’s automatically enabled.

You can find the “Read sample” button below the cover image on your book’s detail page. Note that in mobile devices the feature is only available for eBooks, and it will show the “Look Inside the Book” sticker instead. This feature is not available in mobile devices for print books. 

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How Read Sample works

Once you publish your book, it takes a few days for the feature to display on Amazon. If you make updates to your book, it also takes a few days for the updates to appear in the sample.

Timelines and amount vary by type of book:

Timelines:

• Paperback and hardcover: 9 -10 business days
• eBook: 7-8 business days from the release date

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Amount Shown

The table below highlights what percentage of the book is shown as a reading sample on Amazon. These defaults can be adjusted to hide spoilers or can be removed altogether.

Note: If you unpublish and republish your book, the amount shown resets to the default percentages.

Type	Default Percentage
Fixed layout / Reflowable (eBook)	10%
Print replica (eBook)	10%
Paperback and hardcover	20%

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Reading sample limitations

• Books without an ISBN, such as low-content books, will not display the feature.
• Print replica books and these file formats will not display a reading sample: TPZ, MOP, REF MAG
• It isn’t possible to hide specific pages or chapters that appear in the sample.
• The Read sample feature can’t be adjusted for books in landscape or right-to-left orientation books.

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Benefits of Read Sample

 The feature helps sell more of your books in three primary ways:

• Point-of-Sale Sampling
  • Customers can check printed and Kindle versions
  • Preview random pages and search for specific references or characters
  • View books on similar topics
• 1-Click Purchasing
  • An Add to Cart or Buy with 1-Click button can be found throughout the customer's previewing experience, eliminating the need to return to the book detail page
• Improved Search Results
  • When customers search for books on Amazon.com, we use the actual words that match inside the book to return the best possible selection of books.

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Where is the Read Sample available

 Samples are available for KDP titles on:

• Amazon.ca
• Amazon.cn
• Amazon.co.jp
• Amazon.com
• Amazon.com.au*
• Amazon.com.br*
• Amazon.com.mx*
• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.de
• Amazon.es*
• Amazon.fr
• Amazon.in
• Amazon.it*
• Amazon.nl*

*The Read sample feature is not currently supported for print books on Amazon.com.au, Amazon.es, Amazon.it, Amazon.mx, Amazon.br, and Amazon.nl. However, if there is an eBook version available, the feature will be shared with  the print version.

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Read Sample vs Kindle Instant Book Preview

The Kindle Instant Book Preview and the sample feature show the same content. However, the way the content renders in Kindle Instant Book Preview varies slightly due to differences in technology.

You can embed Kindle Instant Previews on the web, or share a link via email, text, and other apps. Anyone can start reading the free preview, by clicking on the link.

To generate the code:

1. Visit Amazon.com.
2. Search for the book you want to share.
3. On the book's detail page, below the offer display, select a Share option.
4. Click the radio button to either “Get a link” or “Embed on your site”.
5. Copy the URL, or embed the HTML code to share, and paste where you want to share on your site or blog Readers will be able to preview the book in their Web browser.

For more information, check Kindle Instant Preview.