Amazon Description with HTML Issues: Amazon KDP and Author Central NOT on same page

When you are angry with someone, you probably stop talking to them, right? But what if you worked for the same company and didn’t share or communicate information?

Thus is the relationship between KDP and Author Central (and Create Space as well).

Here’s a good (and nicer Post) on the same issue:  http://www.betterbooktools.com/amazon-removes-html-author-central/   If this is correct, then KDP is the place for your descriptions now, but I just can’t see doing that. Author Central is better as it is all in one place. And you have to ask to be put back to KDP (and removed from AC)….

Unfortunately it took me three weeks, 8 emails and a phone call to come up with the following:

“You have HTML ISSUES”

Recently, I received an email stating that my books were not conforming to their HTML policy. The email came from KDP, and provided a link to the acceptable HTML that can be used.

Email:

We’ve noticed that you need to update your book description for the following ASIN(s):

XXXXXXXXXX

The book description contains unsupported HTML tags. While we’ve allowed this HTML in book descriptions before now, after November 2, 2013, we no longer support it. For more information about what’s allowed in book descriptions, please see: https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A377RPHW6ZG4D8

Once you’re familiar with what you can include in a book description, log in to KDP and update what you have there. If you leave your book description as is, it will appear as plain text, which creates a poor experience for prospective buyers.

If you’ve updated your book description in Author Central, you can solve this in either of two ways. You can either update it in both Author Central and in KDP, or you can update it in KDP and delete your Author Central posting. For help with deleting descriptions from Author Central, please contact Author Central Customer Service.

Thanks for updating your book description—please do this by October 31 to avoid having HTML appear in your content as plain text. If you have any questions, please contact Kindle Direct Publishing Customer Service.

I highlighted the part that I though was ridiculous.  Author Central is so much better for maintaining book descriptions. And the suggestion of changing it in both is moot – because once you set up the Author Central account description, the KDP one is ignored.

And the suggestion of deleting Author Central and using KDP only is, again, stupid.

But what was really annoying is that I am not using any “illegal” tags. AND the proper tags I am using were converted to “text” weeks ago and I have been trying to get the answer since then.

The link provided shows the acceptable HTML — <h2> is part of that allowance, so why did mine turn to “text”?
https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A377RPHW6ZG4D8

So, after six, count them — SIX emails to KDP on the alleged “issue” (with them continually giving Pat answers that said nothing to help) I was directed to go to Author Central.  WHAT?  Didn’t your letter apply to HTML? Ok, I complied and went to AC.

I sent 2 emails to Author Central, and after the same unhelpful answers, I decided to call them.

REVELATION

It appears that not only did KDP sent out a mass email regarding the HTML (leaving readers frustrated with only 5 days to correct any issues, if any), KDP failed to let Author Central even know that the letter was sent UNTIL TODAY (10-30-13).  And told them they could expect a lot of frustrated people.

Thanks a lot, KDP.

PROBLEM 1 : Well, it all started with the KDP email – which Author Central knew nothing about. In fact, they weren’t even allowed to “see” the email, let alone give their input.

PROBLEM 2: The email stated only certain HTML was acceptable, however Author Central were told to tell callers ONLY bold, italics and lists were allowed.

PROBLEM 3: Author Central was not given the link to the acceptable HTML. (I gave the link I received in the email to them)

PROBLEM 4: My client has NO improper HTML, yet are being told they do — by KDP, who can’t tell him what it is, and instead, send him to Author Central.

(excuse my language but…) WHAT THE HELL?

30 minutes later.

Mary with Author Central was extremely helpful, not only assuring me they would look into the issue, but bringing to light how the two departments do not communicate with each other.  I was dumbfounded – how could ONE company work this way? ( Just because the government does this doesn’t mean normal citizens should).

She said AC only allows:  bold, italic and lists in the Author Central description. In other words, no hand coding, only what is automatic in the submission form. So why is the email from KDP saying otherwise?

Well, after giving Mary alot of information, I should have some sort of solution later today or tomorrow. I gave Author Central all the information I received along with the arsenal to show KDP they are bonkers —

Conclusion on HTML so far…

I have been unsuccessful getting any “Allowable” HTML into my AC descriptions.

If you add the HTML to the description in Author Central <h2>Ebook Formatting</h2>  in the HTML View, then the tags are stripped out completely.

If you add the HTML to the description in Author Central &lt;h2&gt;Ebook Formatting&lt;/h2&gt;  in the Compose View, then the tags shown as text: <h2>Ebook Formatting</h2>

So there’s no way to get anything other than bold, italic and lists in the Author Central listing, so far.  Everything is stripped out.  But KDP, says we should be able to  — but only from the KDP account. But if you use Author Central, does that mean you have to delete everything and redo it in KDP, and are you allowed to even do that?

Because, if I remember, once you started using AC for your descriptions, you couldn’t go back — –

ARGH!  My head hurts