A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Book Approved on Google Play

Publishing your book in Google Play Books offers any writer the chance to market directly to the global world, as Google Play has millions of users globally. An author, thus, can share their stories digitally across multiple devices; however, it takes a lot of work to get approval when you are a first-time book publishing author. In this blog, we will walk through a detailed step-by-step guide to getting your book publishing approved on Google Play without any hurdles.
Why Publish on Google Play Books?
Before venturing into all the technicalities, knowing why Google Play Books is a powerful platform for authors is a must.
- Global Reach: Google Play Books is available in more than 75 countries. Your work is being reached out to worldwide.
- Cross-Platform Accessibility: Your eBook will be accessible on smartphones, tablets, and desktop devices.
- Flexible Pricing: The author can control both pricing and promotional offers, enhancing the chances of sales and recognition.
- Revenue Opportunities: Google Play offers very competitive royalty rates for eBooks, helping the self-publishing author earn maximum profit.
Well, now you know why publishing on Google Play Books is worth it. We can consider how to make sure your book can be approved by them later.
Create a Google Play Partner Center Account
To publish at Google Play Books you shall have an account in Google Play Books Partner Center. And now:
- Go to the Google Play Books Partner Center page.
- sign in with your Google account, or create this account if you do not have any.
- Fill in the registration form and give the proper information regarding taxation and payment.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
After verification of your account, you can upload your book.
Format Your eBook Properly
Formatting is one of the most important things in getting your book approved. Google Play Books requires your manuscript to be well-structured and free of errors. Here’s how to prepare your eBook:
- File Types: Google Play accepts ePub and PDF formats. Ensure your files are formatted correctly before uploading.
- Content Quality: proofread a manuscript for spelling, grammatical, and formatting errors. poorly formatted books could be rejected.
- Book cover: an engaging, high-quality front piece Google suggests book covers should have at least 300 DPI resolution.
- Table of Contents: Include the eBook with a click to navigate the table of contents in it.
Upload Your Manuscript and Metadata
Once you have formatted your book, here’s how to upload it to the Partner Center:
- Upload Manuscript: Under the “Add Book” section, upload your ePub or PDF file and check for upload confirmation.
- Fill Metadata: You will fill out detailed information about your book, such as:
- Title: Ensure that this title is the same on your cover.
- Description: You should write a good synopsis of your book.
- ISBN (optional): If you do not have an ISBN, Google Play will assign one.
- Author Name: List all contributing authors.
- Choose Categories: Let readers find your book among the genres and categories that are right for it.
Pro Tip: Use keywords in your description and metadata to make your book more search-visible.
Set Pricing and Distribution
With Google Play, you are allowed to have control over your book’s pricing and distribution.
- Pricing: Price your book competitively. Make sure to look at market trends and how much similar books cost.
- Territorial Rights: Indicate where your book will be sold. You can opt for global distribution or limit the availability to certain regions.
- Promotions: Employ Google Play’s promotional features to help create discounts to boost sales during the launch.
Step 5: Review Google Play’s Content Policies
Google Play Books is very strict about the content policies to ensure that quality is maintained. Avoid common pitfalls that can lead to rejection:
- Copyright Compliance: Ensure you are the owner of the content or you have permission to publish.
- Forbidden Material: Do not employ falsehood, defamation, or plagiarized content.
- Proper formatting: Ensure your book is readable and free from technical issues.
Always have your book reviewed against Google’s Content Guidelines before submitting.
Step 6: Submit for Approval
After uploading your manuscript, metadata, and pricing information, submit your book to be reviewed. Google typically reviews a book within several days. Here is what will happen:
- Initial Review: Google checks your book for adherence to content policies and format requirements.
- Approval Notification: You will be emailed whether your book is approved or needs modifications.
If you are ejected, do not worry. Google will provide feedback. You can then correct the necessary changes and reapply
Market Your eBook
Getting your book published is just the beginning. Having your eBook live, once published, is the time for marketing to maximize its impact and sales:
- Social Networking: Share updates and promos on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Create a Website: To have a professional-looking place with a blog and links to your book.
- Email Marketing: Use newsletters to keep your readers engaged and informed.
- Google Adwords: Run targeted Google Adwords to drive visitors to your Google Play Books listing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of proper formatting: Ensure your manuscript meets Google Play’s requirements for timely delivery.
- Inadequate metadata: This will improve the discoverability of your work.
- Skipping Proofreading: Typos and grammatical errors can destroy your credibility.
- Ignore marketing: Approval is the first step; proactive marketing is essential for success.
Conclusion
Publishing on Google Play Books is a powerful tool for authors to reach a global audience, but success does not take work. Success requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Follow this step-by-step guide and make the approval process as smooth as possible so that your book finally sees the light of day before millions of reader’s eyes.
We at Ace Publishing Services know the struggles of self-publishing. From formatting to marketing, we have individual solutions to help authors find their way through the digital marketplace. Let us help you turn your manuscript into a masterpiece and make your publishing dreams come true!
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