Can You Sell Online Courses on Amazon? [2025 Update]

Many aspiring course creators and entrepreneurs exploring online business models ask, “Can you sell online courses on Amazon?” hoping to tap into Amazon’s vast customer base. 

While Amazon is a powerful platform, it doesn’t directly support hosting and selling video courses in the same way as dedicated learning platforms. 

In this article, I will clarify the options available for selling course-related materials on Amazon, explore the limitations, and recommend alternative platforms for hosting your core course content. 

I will address the needs of aspiring and current course creators and entrepreneurs seeking online income opportunities and what has worked for me. So, let us get into it!

Key Takeaways And Recommendations

While direct sales of video courses aren’t currently supported, you can leverage Amazon’s KDP platform to reach a wider audience with supplementary resources.

• Amazon KDP is a viable option for selling supplementary materials for your online courses (eBooks, workbooks, audiobooks, etc.).
• Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or your own Shopify store are more suitable for hosting and selling the actual video course content.

Amazon Ignite (Now Discontinued)

Amazon Ignite was a platform for educators to sell digital learning materials. However, it was discontinued due to limited traction and financial viability.

 Competing with Kindle Direct Publishing may have been a challenge, as Kindle’s broader reach made Ignite less famous. 

Valid Ways On How To Sell Courses On Amazon!

Selling courses on Amazon is difficult but not impossible. Here are ways you can sell your courses on Amazon:

Amazon KDP: Your Best Bet For Course-Related Content

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Amazon’s self-publishing platform for eBooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks.

While you can’t sell the video portion of your course directly, you can sell valuable course-related materials for 70% royalty on Amazon KDP in the form of:

• Study guides.
• Workbooks.
• Transcripts.
• Supplementary resources.
• Audio versions of your course content.

How To Sell On Amazon Online Course Materials Via KDP?

To sell online course materials on Amazon, format your content according to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) guidelines, create a cover, and upload your files. 

Ensure compliance with KDP’s content policies, including copyright, AI-generated content disclosure, and quality standards. Amazon may remove content violating these guidelines, including misleading or offensive materials. 

Selling Audiobooks

Leveraging KDP, you can create and publish audiobooks that complement your online course. This offers an accessible and convenient learning format for students who prefer listening to content. 

Audiobooks can include summaries of key concepts, practice exercises, or even recordings of your lectures.

Creating an audiobook can significantly increase your book’s reach and accessibility. Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) makes it easy for authors to produce and distribute their audiobooks while earning up to 40% royalties.

How ACX Works?

ACX connects authors with professional audiobook producers and narrators, allowing you to:

• Choose a narrator or audition for voice talent
• Produce an audiobook with professional quality
• Distribute to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes

Royalties & Payment Options For Selling Audiobooks On Amazon

• Exclusive Distribution (Audible, Amazon, iTunes) – Earn 40% royalties
• Non-Exclusive Distribution – Earn 25% royalties, but retain rights to distribute elsewhere
• Royalty Share Option – Split earnings with the narrator and earn 20% royalties

Who Can Use ACX?

ACX is currently available for authors in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Ireland with a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Selling CDs Or DVDs

While less common in today’s digital landscape, you could technically create physical CDs or DVDs of your course content and sell them through Amazon’s traditional seller platform. However, this method involves higher production and shipping costs and caters to a smaller audience than digital distribution. 

I would not recommend this method for most online course creators in 2025. However, it is good to know that this ancient method exists.

Step-by-Step Guide To Sell Your Course On Amazon

Selling online courses on Amazon can be a great way to reach a broader audience, but understanding the platform’s policies and requirements is crucial. While Amazon primarily focuses on physical and digital products like eBooks and video content, there are specific ways to list and sell courses effectively. Refer to GoFBAHub for FBA Guidance to learn how Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can support your course-related materials, such as workbooks or supplementary content, to enhance your sales strategy. By leveraging Amazon’s vast marketplace, you can maximize visibility and revenue for your online courses.

You can monetize your knowledge through Amazon’s platform by choosing the correct format, optimizing your listing, and actively promoting your course.

Amazon is a massive marketplace where you can sell your online courses by repackaging them into various formats such as eBooks, audiobooks, and video series. Let me help you through the entire selling on Amazon process, from research to listing and promotion.

1. Research The Market & Competition

Before listing your course, conduct thorough research to understand the demand, competition, and best format for your course.

• Identify Demand: Search for similar educational materials on Amazon to check for popularity and customer interest.
• Analyze Competitors: Look at existing bestsellers in your niche, their pricing, and customer reviews to identify what works.
• Keyword Research: Use tools like Ahrefs or Amazon’s search suggestions to find relevant keywords that customers use.

2. Choose The Right Course Format

You cannot sell an online course directly on Amazon, but you can repackage it into different formats:

Course Format	Description	Suitable For
eBook	Convert your course into an educational book using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).	Text-heavy courses, guides, and tutorials.
Audiobook	Record your course as an audiobook and sell it on Audible.	Spoken lectures, self-help, or storytelling courses.
Physical Product	Create CDs, DVDs, or USBs containing your course content.	Hands-on training, professional certifications.
Bundled Access Code	Sell a physical product (like a workbook) with a unique code for digital access.	Cooking, fitness, or art courses.

3. Develop Your Product

Once you decide on the format, prepare your course material accordingly:

• For eBooks: Convert your course content into a well-structured book, add a professional cover, and format it using Amazon’s KDP guidelines.
• For Audiobooks: Record high-quality audio, edit for clarity, and publish via ACX (Audible’s self-publishing platform).
• For Physical Products: Manufacture DVDs, USBs, or printed materials and use Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) for distribution.

4. Create An Amazon Seller Account

To sell on Amazon, you need an Amazon Seller Central account.

Step 1: Register on Seller Central by signing up as an individual or professional seller.

Step 2: Choose a Selling Plan:

• Individual plan: $0.99 per item sold.
• Professional plan: $39.99 per month (best for bulk sales).

Step 3: Understand Fees. Amazon charges referral fees (8-15%) based on the category of your product.

5. Optimize Your Sales Page & Pricing

Your listing should be optimized to attract buyers. Here is how I would do it:

• Write a compelling title: Use keywords and highlight course benefits.
• Craft a detailed description: Clearly explain what students will learn.
• Use high-quality images/videos: Professional visuals increase credibility.
• Set a competitive price: Research competitors and apply pricing psychology (e.g., $19.99 instead of $20.00).
• Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews boost rankings and credibility.

6. Promote Your Course On Amazon

Amazon’s algorithm prioritizes products with good sales, ratings, and engagement. Here’s how to drive traffic and increase sales:

• Social Media Marketing: Share your course on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Email Marketing: Notify your existing audience about your Amazon listing.
• Influencer Collaboration: Work with influencers to promote your course.
• Amazon PPC Advertising: Use paid ads to reach a broader audience.
• Limited-Time Discounts: Offer early-bird pricing to encourage first-time buyers.

Selling your course on Amazon requires careful planning and execution, but with the right strategy, you can tap into a massive audience and increase your revenue. 

Can You Sell Online Courses On Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is a subscription service for customers, offering benefits like free shipping and streaming content. It’s not a platform for course creators to host and sell video courses. 

Prime focuses on delivering value to subscribers, not providing a marketplace for course creators.

Can I Make $1000 A Month Selling On Amazon?

Making $1000/month selling course-related materials on Amazon KDP is possible, but it requires significant effort in content creation, marketing, and pricing strategy, as discussed above. 

Success is not guaranteed, and income will depend on factors like the quality of your materials, competition, and your marketing reach.

What Is The Best Way To Sell An Online Course?

The “best” way depends on your goals and resources. Dedicated course marketplaces offer built-in audiences, while self-hosting gives you more control. Amazon KDP is best for supplementary materials, not the core course itself.

Alternatives To Amazon For Selling Online Courses

Since selling video courses directly on Amazon is limited, consider these alternatives:

Feature	Udemy	Teachable	Shopify
Platform Subscription	$0	Starts $39/ month	Starts $29/ month
Revenue share	~37%	❌	❌
Transaction Fees	3%	Starts 2.8%	Starts 1%
Marketing	Built-in marketplace, promotional tools	Marketing tools, student management	Requires own marketing efforts
Course Hosting	✅	✅	Requires app integration
Control	Less control over branding/pricing	More control over branding/pricing	Most control over branding/pricing

1. Udemy: A popular platform specifically designed for selling online courses. Udemy provides a sizeable existing audience marketing tools and handles payment processing. 

However, they take a revenue share, and you have less control over pricing and branding.

2. Teachable: Another well-known platform for creating and selling online courses. Teachable offers more control over branding and pricing than Udemy, along with marketing tools and student management features. 

They operate on a subscription-based model.

3. Shopify: While not a course platform itself, Shopify allows you to build an online store and integrate with apps to sell digital products, including courses. Shopify provides the most control over branding and pricing. 

However, you’re responsible for all marketing efforts, and you’ll likely need to pay for additional apps to handle course delivery and student management.

Conclusion

Selling online courses directly on Amazon is currently not a straightforward option. 

While Amazon KDP offers a viable route for distributing supplementary materials like eBooks, workbooks, and audiobooks, it doesn’t support hosting and selling video courses directly. 

For your core course content, consider dedicated platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or building your own store with Shopify. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that aligns with your goals and resources. 

Ready to explore selling course-related content? Start today!

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