Amazon has introduced Kindle Translate, a new AI-powered translation service for authors using Kindle Direct Publishing. The service aims to help writers reach more readers by translating their books into different languages.
At launch, Kindle Translate works for English to Spanish and German to English. The service is still in beta, and Amazon plans to add more languages over time. Currently, less than 5% of books on Amazon are available in more than one language, which shows there is a big opportunity for translations.
Authors can preview AI translations before publishing. This is important because AI translations may not always be perfect. Authors who do not speak the target language might still need a human translator to ensure accuracy. Amazon says its AI translations are “automatically evaluated for accuracy,” but it has not explained how this process works.
Translations can be managed directly from the Kindle Direct Publishing portal. Authors can choose languages, set prices, and publish their translated books. Readers will see AI-translated books labeled as “Kindle Translate” and can preview samples before buying.
Kindle Translate competes with many other AI translation tools. Some industry experts say human translators capture the nuances of language better, especially in fiction. Still, AI translation is improving and is likely to get more accurate over time.
Amazon is offering Kindle Translate for free at launch. Early testers praised this, noting that independent authors often struggle to find affordable and reliable translation options. Translated books can also participate in programs like KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited, giving them wider exposure to readers.
With Kindle Translate, Amazon is making it easier for authors to reach a global audience, while also testing the limits of AI translation in the publishing world.
