Kindle Account Ban - Multiple Account Issue?

[Karate Kid]

Recently, my kindle KDP account got banned, saying it's because I have multiple accounts.

It's strange because I've specifically asked the KDP representative if it's OK to create multiple accounts and they've said "it's OK if you create using different e-mail addresses".

Has anyone else got their KDP account banned because of they have multiple accounts?

[joseph7384]

I really don't think that a KDP representative would have told you that you can have more than one account.
There must have been some confusion between multiple accounts and multiple persona's.

[payment proof]

What does the Kindle KDP TOS say about multiple accounts? That should give you the true answer.

[Marketing Merit]

Originally Posted by Karate Kid

It's strange because I've specifically asked the KDP representative if it's OK to create multiple accounts and they've said "it's OK if you create using different e-mail addresses".

If you have this in writing then you should be able to get one of the accounts reinstated.

If it was verbal, then you're facing an uphill struggle to prove what was said (unless you keep recordings of all of your calls).

As Joseph said, you are allowed to have multiple pen names under one account and hence, there is no real benefit, that I can see at least, to opening multiple accounts.

Best of luck with this and let us know how you get on.

[cyberws]

James Jones teaches courses about Kindle - and HIS account was banned for the exact same reason. He had set up a testing account many months before and had forgotten about it. So yes, you will be banned for more than one account and your chances of getting reinstated are approximately zero. You will need to find a partner, family member, etc., if you want to start selling on Kindle again.

[Gary336]

Read kdp TOS but if a reprezentetive said you can do it, them mail the support team and offer proof of what he said

[laisaluky]

Originally Posted by joseph7384

I really don't think that a KDP representative would have told you that you can have more than one account.
There must have been some confusion between multiple accounts and multiple persona's.

Can you explain -multiple accounts and multiple persona's?
Me at same problem.

[colinph970]

I've been told the same thing by Kindle reps.....i just did not believe them and therefore kept to one account.

[Gregg]

Kindle has started to crack down in a lot of different areas. I learned an expensive lesson about trying to publish "spun" plr a couple years ago. It is a VERY profitable place to market but it does have its restrictions. The more money I make the more careful I get

[Marketing Merit]

Originally Posted by laisaluky

Can you explain -multiple accounts and multiple persona's?
Me at same problem.

Multiple accounts is as the name suggests...several accounts linked to different email addresses.

Multiple persona's or pen names as I called it, simply means that you can publish your books with different author names.

The benefit of this is that you can sell kindle books in various niches, each written by a 'different' expert author.

So, if you had a series of gardening kindle books published by Mr Dig-it you could also have a serious of cookery books written by Mrs Bake-it. No need for a separate account.

Personally, I think this flexibility is a good thing and actually eradicates the need for multiple kindle accounts.

Hope this helps!

[oildrops]

Originally Posted by Gregg

Kindle has started to crack down in a lot of different areas. I learned an expensive lesson about trying to publish "spun" plr a couple years ago. It is a VERY profitable place to market but it does have its restrictions. The more money I make the more careful I get

I used spun PLR articles and was also banned...

Did you get re-instated?

MikeR

[Karate Kid]

I'm still working on this.

I've sent the KDP rep the exact snippet of what the other rep has told me and trying to get him to respond. I've emailed him 3 times in the last 10 days without avail.

Seems like Amazon is just banning people left and right in a cookie-cutter fashion for anything that looks remotely like their breach of TOS and not giving a damn.

And funny how they continue to attach on their email signature- "Your feedback is helping us build Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company"

[Joseph Robinson]

It depends on when you asked that rep. It used to be OK, and may have been when you asked. According to this February 9th 2012 update though, you cannot have multiple accounts anymore:

4.2 Account Information; No Multiple Accounts. You must ensure that all information you provide in connection with establishing your Program account, such as your name, address and email, is accurate when you provided it, and you must keep it up to date as long as you use the Program. You may maintain only one account at a time. If we terminate your account, you will not establish a new account. You will not use false identities or impersonate any other person or use a username or password you are not authorized to use. You authorize us, directly or through third parties, to make any inquiries we consider appropriate to verify account information you provide. You also consent to us sending you emails relating to the Program from time to time. This takes precedence over any directions you may have given us, including through an Amazon web site.

Ah, the magic of Google.

[Karate Kid]

It was before then. I would then think that the old accounts would be "grandfathered", not penalized.

Originally Posted by Joe Robinson

It depends on when you asked that rep. It used to be OK, and may have been when you asked. According to this February 9th 2012 update though, you cannot have multiple accounts anymore:



Ah, the magic of Google.

[Faisal Karim]

Sorry to hear that your account got banned. Amazon has been quite (for lack of a better term) anal about multiple accounts regarding all of their services.

I've sold on Amazon for years and I know how difficult it was to have them authorize two different accounts from the same household. Since then, not only have I always advised others to protect their Amazon account, but be very careful with account/multiple account related moves.

Best.

[Joseph Robinson]

Originally Posted by Karate Kid

It was before then. I would then think that the old accounts would be "grandfathered", not penalized.

Their business, their call. Seems that they decided to clean house instead of grandfathering multiple accounts in.

[JeanneLynn]

Did Amazon ever respond and reinstate your account?

[Joseph Robinson]

Originally Posted by JeanneLynn

Did Amazon ever respond and reinstate your account?

They're probably not going to, and really don't have to (see the updated terms of service in my above post. Sucks for the OP; but such is life.

[JeanneLynn]

Originally Posted by Joe Robinson

They're probably not going to, and really don't have to (see the updated terms of service in my above post. Sucks for the OP; but such is life.

It just seems kind of unfair considering it wasn't against the rules at the time he did it.

[Joseph Robinson]

I understand where you are coming from; but it's against the rules now. How they handle the accounts that fell under their old rules is entirely up to them. The way I see it is this: they'd rather take the limited backlash that comes from making everyone only have one account than the (likely) more widespread backlash that would come from a select few having the upper hand.

Seems a little crappy for the people that have multiple accounts but from a purely objective business sense it makes sense. Well, it does to me at least.

[rhinocl]

It's time we all start holding these large companies to the same standard the rest of us have to play by. If YOU had a business allowing users to have multiple accounts and changed your policy, you would be expected to warn users by sending an email that says "Please consolidate your accounts by choosing the one you would like to keep and...If you don't handle this by Aug 18th we will have to close all your accounts." They should be held to the same standard, and when they don't meet it their CEO should get an avalanche of complaint mail. On the second similar offense perhaps the mail should go to the CEO's home address.

[Paul Gram]

3 things you never want to do with Amazon are multiple accounts, PLR inside your book, and lots of short crappy books. Either of the 3 will get you banned quickly.

If you were told incorrectly by someone at Amazon, I'd beg for forgiveness and see if they will re-instate your account.

[williamk]

As far as I know multiple kindle accounts are not allowed as per their TOS. You should at least follow the rules and then come ask for advice here. It is written in their TOS quite clearly.