ISBN vs ASIN: What Indian Authors Must Know

Writing a book is not for the faint-hearted; it requires a lot of courage to pour out the words on the piece of paper or the laptop screen. When an author enters the publishing industry, whether it is traditional publishing or self-publishing, or any other, there are a lot of technical terms coming their way. One of these is ISBN and ASIN. Both terms are unique IDs or codes that it assigned to the book, separating it from the crowd. To promote and protect your creative work, every author must be aware of these IDs and understand the difference between them. 

This guide will take you through the journey of what, why, and the difference between ISBN-13 and ASIN. How Indian authors must know their rights, their importance, and choose wisely for their book. Any author aims to make their book available in every corner of the world, hence this is how ASIN vs ISBN numbers come into the picture. We will talk in detail about their credibility, reach, and how it will impact your book, regardless of how you choose to publish it. 

ISBN: Its Importance

International Standard Book Number or ISBN is a unique given number of 13 or 10-digit numbers allotted to a particular book. Publishers, booksellers, distributors, and readers all utilise the ISBN to track books. 

ISBN for the same book also varies; that is, for the paperback edition, there is one ISBN, while the ISBN for the same book in the hardcover edition will be different. 

Why Get an ISBN?

Global Recognition: Recognition is the primary goal of the author, and the ISBN provides that. Having an ISBN guarantees that your book will appear in international databases and in library catalogues. This makes it easier for anyone or any organization to find your book. 

Provides Credibility: If your book has an ISBN, it showcases your credibility and professionalism. Credibility makes it easier for your book to sell and makes your book stand out in the flooded market of self-published books. Readers, reviewers, and industry professionals will take you more seriously with an ISBN.  

Distribution and Sales: Except for Amazon, which allows ASINs for eBooks, many book distributors and sellers, both online and offline, need ISBNs. Selling in traditional shops or on websites like Flipkart, Apple Books, or Bookswagon becomes difficult without an ISBN.

Control of Ownership: An ISBN book search not only makes your book stand out but also provides you with ownership control. The ownership control means you have control over metadata such as price, author bio, edition details, and others. This is very important since it provides you with the ownership and rights to your book, which can be tricky sometimes if it falls into the hands of the wrong publishers. 

How Can Indian Authors Obtain an ISBN 

The Ministry of Education's Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBNs (RRRNAI) in India provides ISBNs at no cost. Through their website, you can apply for ISBNs online:

 You must provide the following documents as part of the process:

• Proof of authorship or content
• Aadhaar or PAN
• A book cover draft or synopsis

ASIN: Its Importance

Amazon Standard Identification Number is ASIN full form, a 10-character alphanumeric identification number assigned by Amazon for its products (books here) to organize and make it easy for anyone to search for the product with the number.

Amazon assigns your eBook an ASIN when you publish a book with Kindle Direct Publishing or KDP. 

Why Do Authors Need to Know About ASIN?

Listing Online Website

For your book to be listed, searched for, and sold on Amazon, BooksWagon and some other sites, its ASIN is crucial. Your book is not present on the book platform if it does not have an ASIN.

Ranking and Algorithms 

Your book's visibility, ranking, performance, and reviews can all be seen through ASIN. It causes a significant impact on your book search and ranking. 

For Promotion and Direct Links

The direct product URL can be created with the ASIN, and this benefits from the promotions and marketing of the book across social media.  

ISBN Vs ASIN: Key Difference

Area of Focus:

• ISBN - ISBN number is used all over the world by booksellers, publishers, and readers. 
• ASIN - This is designed to only work in the limited ecosystem such as BooksWagon or Amazon and not outside of it. 

Format:

• ISBN - This can be assigned in all formats, such as hardcover, paperback, and eBooks.
• ASIN - This is typically assigned to eBooks and other products sold on the website. 

Cost:

• ISBN - You can get it free in India through isbn.gov.in. 
• ASIN - It is free and automatically assigned by Amazon when published through KDP. However, there are some charges associated with selling on the website. 

Discoverability:

• ISBN - Its discoverability is great as compared to ASIN; it is available in various platforms and retailers with a click on the ISBN number search.
• ASIN - Enhance discoverability within online bookselling websites like BooksWagon, Amazon, etc. 
  

What Indian Author Must Know

Amazon Self-Publishing Is Not the Only Choice

Without knowing alternative platforms and the benefit of obtaining an ISBN, many first-time Indian authors restrict themselves to Amazon KDP. It is not enough to have an ASIN. There are many publishing sites like Double9 Books that can provide you better services. 

ISBN Guarantees Increased Versatility and Reach

An ISBN is necessary if you want your book to be accessible through libraries, bookshops, institutions, and other platforms. There is no need to omit this important step with India's free ISBN service.

Your Publisher Identity Is Limited by Amazon's Free ISBN

Amazon, not you, is listed as the publisher if you select their free ISBN for your paperback. As a writer or small publisher, this might harm your reputation. Always use your ISBN that you got from RRRNAI if you want complete control.

You can use both the ASIN and the ISBN

For instance:

An ASIN is a number that Amazon assigns to Kindle eBooks. The same book's paperback edition may have an ISBN. Possessing both expands your book's audience across many platforms and media. If you are publishing in regional markets or Indian languages? ISBNs Are Beneficial!

Books with ISBN are categorized and made available to Indian libraries and educational institutions that prefer ISBN-verified titles over any other, irrespective of whether it is in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, or any other regional language. 

Conclusion

Indian authors must make clever decisions in the rapidly expanding fields of self-publishing and digital distribution to establish the visibility and legitimacy of their works. An essential component of this trip is comprehending the functions of ASIN and ISBN.

Although the ASIN is essential, ISBN provides access to offline retail, libraries, and international cataloguing, among other opportunities. The good news is that there is no financial barrier for Indian authors as they can get ISBNs for free through a government portal.

Are you prepared to publish your book? Double9 Books is here for you. We publish books of all genres. On meeting the publishing criteria, Double9 Books publishes a book at no added cost towards the Cover design, Production, Typesetting, Proofreading, and selling of the book.