Find the word
- Paste title, subtitle, author, keywords and description into the KDP check. Classes default to 16, 9 and 41 — where book trademarks live.
- Sort by score. The HIGH REVIEW phrase is almost always the one KDP caught.
The usual suspects: a franchise or character name (“for Bluey fans”), a brand used as a generic (“Post-it”, “Crock Pot”, “Cricut”), a series name someone already registered in class 16, or a pen name that matches a live mark.
Reword or appeal?
| The mark is… | Do |
|---|---|
| Live, class 16/9/41, and the word is not essential | Reword. “Sticky-note planner” instead of the brand. Resubmit. |
| Dead, expired or abandoned | Appeal with the status and date. KDP’s check is automated; a human reviewer can override it. |
| Live but in unrelated goods (e.g. class 12 vehicles) | Appeal with the classes. Explain your book is printed matter. |
| Live and it is your series name | Stop. A registered series name in class 16 blocks the series, not one title. Rename now, before more books carry it. |
What to write to KDP
Three sentences: which word you believe was flagged, what you changed (or why it does not infringe, with the registration details), and that you screen every title and keyword before submission. Reviewers approve sellers who sound like they have a process.
Before the next book
Check the series name as a brand on the brand name search before writing the second title. Check every keyword. Save the scans; they are your record of diligence.