ACX offers rights holders both exclusive and non-exclusive distribution options for an audiobook. To learn more about these two options, please see the ACX Book Posting Agreement and Audiobook License and Distribution Agreement from Legal resources. 

Note: Starting May 26, 2026, newly claimed titles, new users, and titles enrolled in the new royalty model will be subject to the ACX Book Posting Agreement and Audiobook License and Distribution Agreement last revised on May 26, 2026. 

In this article:

• What are the different royalty payment terms for exclusive and non-exclusive distribution?
• How will my audiobook be sold?
• Where will my audiobook be sold?
• What if I distribute my audiobook outside of these channels?
• How can I distribute my Audiobooks to libraries or schools?
• How long is the distribution term for my audiobook once it is done?

What are the different royalty payment terms for exclusive and non-exclusive distribution?

If you as a rights holder select exclusive distribution for your audiobook, you will receive 40% (legacy royalty rate) or 50% (new royalty rate) royalty from sales on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. If you choose non-exclusive distribution, you may sell your audiobook through other services in addition to Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books, and in whichever format you'd like, and you will receive a 25% (legacy royalty rate) or 30% (new royalty rate) royalty.

How will my audiobook be sold?

• Exclusive distribution: you are not permitted to distribute or sell your audiobook on any site or store outside of Audible. Audible will distribute your audiobook to Audible, Amazon and Apple Books exclusively. Audiobooks distributed exclusively earn a 40% (legacy royalty rate) or 50% (new royalty rate) royalty. 
• Non-exclusive titles: If you choose non-exclusive distribution, you can sell your audiobook in other locations and formats, in addition to Audible, Amazon and Apple Books. If rights holders want to distribute their audiobooks outside of Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books, those arrangements must be made independent of ACX. 

Where will my audiobook be sold?

All titles produced through ACX with worldwide distribution rights, will be distributed to these marketplaces: US, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Spain, and Brazil.

Promo codes are only available for the US and UK marketplaces. 

If you have worldwide distribution rights to the book, anyone in the world will be able to purchase from the .com sites; as long as the book does not violate any particular country's content laws. 

What if I distribute my audiobook outside of these channels?

Regardless of your exclusivity, the rights holder's book is sold through ACX and available for purchase and digital download to consumers on Audible (http://www.audible.com/), Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/) and Apple Books (https://www.apple.com/apple-books/). If you selected exclusive distribution, you cannot sell or distribute it elsewhere. If you selected a non-exclusive distribution agreement, you can.

How can I distribute my audiobooks to libraries?

At this time, ACX does not provide distribution to libraries. If you would like to distribute your content to libraries, please select a non-exclusive distribution agreement.

How long is the distribution term for my audiobook?

Audible will have the right to distribute your audiobook for seven years. For more details regarding the distribution of audiobooks through ACX, please visit our License and Distribution Agreement and ACX Book Posting Agreement linked in Legal resources.