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Rakuten Kobo holds second place in AI reading recommendations, trailing only Amazon.

Here is how AI models recommend your devices today, and where clear content gaps let competitors capture undecided buyers.

Rakuten Kobo's baseline score
68/100
Good

Rakuten Kobo enjoys solid recognition as the leading non-Amazon digital reading brand. AI assistants reliably surface Kobo hardware when users request color screens, open EPUB compatibility, or OverDrive library access. Visibility drops significantly when users ask broad questions about audiobook subscriptions or digital book deals without mentioning hardware.

What we see
  • Kobo holds strong visibility in queries explicitly asking for Kindle alternatives or library-friendly e-readers.
  • Amazon Kindle still dominates generic discovery prompts like 'best e-reader' by wide margins on ChatGPT and Claude.
  • Recent color e-reader releases (Libra Colour, Clara Colour) created a distinct visibility surge in tech reviews and YouTube commentary, lifting Gemini scores.
  • Kobo Plus is rarely mentioned in response to general ebook subscription queries, where Kindle Unlimited and Audible dominate AI output.
Business goals Rakuten Kobo is likely trying to hit
  • Position Kobo Libra Colour and Clara Colour as the primary alternatives to Amazon Kindle
  • Grow recurring revenue through the Kobo Plus all-you-can-read and listen subscription
  • Expand direct digital bookstore market share among public library borrowers using OverDrive