Do You Need an ISBN for an eBook?

By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher If you’re an author looking to convert your printed books into eBooks, you may be wondering whether you need a separate ISBN for your digital editions. ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers) are unique identifiers used to track and manage book sales. But since eBooks have the same content as their printed counterparts, do they require a separate ISBN? Table of Contents: • Understanding the ISBN system • Importance of an ISBN • Do eBooks need ISBNs? • When would a book need multiple ISBNs? • How do I get an ISBN for my eBook? • How do I display my ISBN? • How do I assign my ISBN? • Can an ISBN be reused? • Best Practices for eBook publishers • BookBaby’s eBook services Understanding the ISBN System An ISBN is a unique 13-digit identifier for a book. ISBNs play a vital role in the book industry by specifying the title, author, publisher, format, and edition of a book. ISBNs facilitate book ordering, inventory management, and sales tracking for retailers, libraries, and publishers. ISBNs are typically found on the copyright page of a printed book and are associated with a specific format, such as hardcover, paperback, or eBook. Importance of an ISBN If you want to sell your book, and if you want potential readers to find your book, you must have an ISBN. And yes, eBooks, since they are a different format than their printed counterparts, require a separate ISBN — though we’ll address a caveat to that statement in a minute. Note, there is no such thing as an eISBN; there are only ISBNs. Colloquially, the term eISBN is used to denote an ISBN assigned to the electronic version of a book, specifically for eBooks, but using the term can cause confusion. So only the term ISBN should be used. Do eBooks need ISBNs? So, while an eBook needs an ISBN because it is a different format, if you are only publishing your eBook on Amazon, you are not required to procure an ISBN because Amazon uses its own proprietary system known as ASIN. Though ISBNs are not technically required for eBooks being sold on Amazon, having one can bring several important benefits. Here are a few factors to consider. Distribution to other retailers . If you intend to distribute your book in any store other than Amazon or make your eBook accessible through your community library, you will require a 13-digit ISBN number for it. Wondering how to distribute an ebook ? Metadata and discoverability. Your eBook’s ISBN is part of your book metadata and helps organize and categorize books in databases, making it easier for readers, retailers, and libraries to discover and purchase your eBook. Furthermore, even though Amazon doesn’t use your ISBN to list your book, it can be used as a search criteria on the site. In other words, if an interested reader has your ISBN, they can easily find your eBook listing on Amazon. Professionalism and branding. Having...

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