These terms cover the isbook.link universal book link service and QR code generation tools available to Inside Story authors. They sit alongside our main Terms & Conditions — if something isn't covered here, those apply.
1. What these tools are
isbook.link is a universal book link service built into Inside Story. Each isbook.link URL (e.g. isbook.link/rachelgraham/follow-me) can work in one of two ways: as a landing page listing all the places readers can buy or access your book — Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere else you add, so readers pick the store that works for them — or as a redirect that sends readers straight to a single URL of your choice.
QR codes are scannable images that can be generated for any URL — including your isbook.link pages, your author website, or any other destination. They can be downloaded and used in print or digital marketing materials.
Both tools are provided as part of your Inside Story author account. Your plan tier determines which features are available — see our pricing page for details.
2. Who can use them
isbook.link and QR codes are available to authors with an active Inside Story account. You must comply with our main Terms & Conditions and be in good standing to use these features. We may restrict access if your account is suspended or your plan lapses.
3. Acceptable use
You may use isbook.link and QR codes to direct people to:
- Your book pages on major retailers (Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, etc.)
- Your own author website or newsletter signup
- Inside Story campaign, book, or profile pages
- Other legitimate book marketing destinations
You may not use these tools to link to:
- Content that is illegal, harmful, deceptive, or violates the rights of others
- Phishing pages, malware, or any site designed to deceive or harm visitors
- Spam or unsolicited marketing not related to your books
- Content that violates our main Terms & Conditions
We reserve the right to deactivate any link that violates these terms without notice.
4. Custom URLs
By default, each link gets an auto-generated short code (e.g. isbook.link/x7k2m4). Starter and Pro authors can set a custom URL path instead — for example, isbook.link/rachelgraham/follow-me. When you claim a custom URL, it is reserved for your account as long as your account is active and in good standing.
Custom URLs are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not guarantee any specific URL will be available. We reserve the right to reclaim custom URLs that are inactive, misleading, impersonating another person or brand, or otherwise violating these terms.
Custom URLs may not impersonate another author, publisher, or brand you do not represent.
5. Affiliate tags
Inside Story may append Amazon affiliate tags to links when readers click through to retailers. This earns Inside Story a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you or the reader.
Here's how it works: Inside Story is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When a reader clicks a retail link through Inside Story, an affiliate tag may be added to the URL. If the reader then makes a qualifying purchase, Inside Story earns a small commission. This does not affect the price the reader pays.
Pro plan authors can opt out of affiliate tagging at the account level or per individual link from the isbook.link dashboard.
6. Click and scan tracking
Clicks and scans are counted internally for all links. Pro plan authors can see these counts in their dashboard. We record the number of events but do not store any personally identifiable information about the person who clicked — no IP addresses are retained beyond the immediate redirect.
7. Changing your destination
You can update the retailer links on your isbook.link page, or change the destination of a QR code, at any time from your dashboard. Your custom URL remains unchanged; only the destination updates. You are responsible for ensuring that the new destination is appropriate and compliant with these terms.
8. QR code ownership and use
QR codes generated through Inside Story are image files you can download and use freely in your marketing materials — print, digital, or otherwise — without restriction. A QR code can point to an isbook.link page or to any other URL you choose.
If the destination a QR code points to is deactivated (for example, because your account is closed or you delete the link), the QR code will stop working. Anyone scanning it will be redirected to the Inside Story homepage.
9. Service availability
We aim to keep isbook.link and QR code redirects fast and reliable, but we don't guarantee 100% uptime. Planned maintenance, unexpected outages, or changes to third-party infrastructure may occasionally affect link availability. We will do our best to minimize disruption and communicate significant outages.
Inside Story is not liable for any loss of sales, traffic, or revenue resulting from a link being temporarily unavailable.
10. Account closure and link deactivation
If you close your Inside Story account, all associated isbook.link pages and QR code destinations will be deactivated. Anyone clicking or scanning a deactivated link will be redirected to the Inside Story homepage.
If your account is downgraded from a plan that included custom URLs, existing custom URLs will remain active, but you will not be able to create new custom URLs until you upgrade again.
11. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we'll let you know via email or a notice in your dashboard. Continued use of isbook.link or QR code tools after changes are posted means you accept the updated terms.
12. Questions
Questions about these terms? Email us at [email protected] and we'll get back to you.