KDP Just Changed This — Is Your eBook Accessible in 2026?

KDP is now asking whether your ebook images include alt text. That’s not a decorative checkbox. It’s a signal. Accessibility in publishing is no longer a “nice to have.” In the EU, the European Accessibility Act applies to ebooks and e-readers, and new ebooks were required to comply starting June 28, 2025. Backlist titles have a longer runway in many cases, but the direction is clear. In the U.S., ADA expectations around digital accessibility continue to expand. While enforcement differs, the pressure toward compliance is growing. And here’s where many authors are accidentally creating problems. If you are using: • Screenshots of text messages • Stylized email images • Social media posts as images • Chapter titles embedded in graphics In this video, Julie Broad of Book Launchers breaks down what authors need to know about e-book accessibility in 2026: • Why accessibility now matters for every serious author • The simple formatting fix that solves most image issues • What alt text actually is (and what most people get wrong) • The three rules for writing alt text properly • Examples of bad alt text vs. useful alt text • Other key accessibility elements like headings and link formatting This is not just about checking a box on KDP. It is about making sure your book can actually be read. Professional publishing in 2026 means: • Proper heading structure • Descriptive link text • Thoughtful use of images • Testing your ebook with screen readers The industry has moved. Self-published authors need to catch up. If you want to build a serious author business, accessibility is part of the standard now. Join our free author community for smart, future-focused publishing conversations: 👉 https://www.booklaunchers.com/skool If you’re serious about writing, publishing, and monetizing a nonfiction book, this is where we go deeper. 🎧 Free Audiobook 👉 https://www.booklaunchers.com/freeaudio ▶️ Subscribe & Don’t Miss New Videos New videos every week on: writing better nonfiction books self-publishing professionally selling books on Amazon, Kindle, bookstores, Kobo, and beyond. 👉 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/c/booklaunchers?sub_confirmation=1 🧠 Want a Professional Publishing Team? If you’re looking for expert help with writing, publishing, or launching your book: 👉 https://booklaunchers.com