Will Amazon or a publisher flag me for using AI to edit my book?

No, and this is one of the most common questions we get from Kingdom Writers, so let's clear it up.

Amazon's official KDP Content Guidelines page (https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200672390#aicontent) states: "We require you to inform us of AI-generated content (text, images, or translations) when you publish a new book or make edits to and republish an existing book through KDP. AI-generated images include cover and interior images and artwork. You are not required to disclose AI-assisted content."

Amazon draws a clear line between two categories:

AI-generated means the AI created the actual content itself. If you used an AI-based tool to create the content, whether text, images, or translations, it is considered "AI-generated," even if you applied substantial edits afterwards. This is what requires disclosure to Amazon.

AI-assisted means you created the content yourself and used AI to help refine it. If you wrote the content yourself, and used AI-based tools to edit, refine, error-check, or otherwise improve it, then it is considered "AI-assisted" and not "AI-generated." This category does not require disclosure to Amazon at all.

So if you wrote your book yourself and used AI as an editing tool, such as running it through a self-editing companion, a grammar checker, or a crutch word tool, you're in the AI-assisted category. No disclosure needed, and this will not be flagged.

What about traditional publishers?

Every publisher is different, and this is where it gets less clear-cut. Publishers are far more concerned with AI being used to generate the actual content than with AI being used to edit content you've already written. There isn't much published guidance specifically addressing AI-assisted editing, since most publisher policy conversations focus on the writing side.

If you're pursuing a traditional publisher, don't assume their policy either way. Ask them directly about AI-assisted editing and get their answer in writing based on what you agree on together, so you're both clear and protected.

That said, we'd be surprised if a publisher pushed back on AI-assisted editing specifically, since even the most popular self-editing software on the market today is technically an AI tool under the hood. The distinction Amazon draws (did AI create the content, or did AI help polish content you created) is becoming the standard way the industry thinks about this.

Bottom line: if you wrote it, and AI helped you polish it, you're on solid ground.