Inkitt is bringing automatic story translation to help authors connect with readers around the world.
At Inkitt, our mission has always been to help great stories find their audiences. Today, we’re taking that mission one step further by introducing automatic story translation, so your words can travel further than ever before.
What’s new?
Select Inkitt stories are now being automatically translated into other languages, giving international readers the ability to enjoy your work in their preferred language. If a reader who browses in French comes across your story, they’ll be offered the chance to read it in French (with your original English version always available alongside it).
Your original story is never modified. Translations exist as a reading option for global audiences, sitting alongside your work, not replacing it.
Why translation?
Language is one of the most significant barriers between a story and its potential audience. There are passionate readers around the world who could love your work, they just haven’t had the chance to access it yet. With automatic translation powered by Google AI, we’re removing that barrier and opening the door to a whole new wave of readership for Inkitt authors.
More readers means more engagement, more feedback, and more opportunities for your stories to make an impact.
Our translated works are seeing up to 50% more reads, and 90% of the reviews on translated stories are 5 stars.
You’re in control
We want to be transparent: stories are opted into translation by default. We believe this feature is a genuine opportunity for authors and we don’t want anyone to miss out, but we also respect that this is your work and your choice.
If you’d prefer your stories not be translated, opting out is simple. Head to your story’s settings page on inkitt.com, scroll to the bottom, and select “No” for “Expand my readership in other languages.” It takes effect almost immediately. You can also opt back in any time you’d like.
What’s next?
This is just the beginning. We’re continuing to refine the translation experience and expand the languages we support. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
We’re so grateful to our author community for trusting us with your stories. We hope this opens up a world of new possibilities for your writing.
Have questions? Check out our FAQ below or reach out to the team, we’re always here to help.
Happy writing!
FAQ
Why should I allow my story to be translated?
Translated works are seeing up to 50% more reads, which is only going to grow as we continue to expand our language offerings. International readers are also loving this update, with 90% of reviews on translated stories coming in at 5 stars.
How do I opt out? Where can I find the link?
To opt out, go to your story’s settings page on Inkitt.com, scroll to the bottom, and select “No” for “Expand my readership in other languages.” You can access your story settings directly from your author dashboard.
How long after I opt out will it take effect?
Almost immediately, typically within a minute or two of saving your preference.
If I opt out now, can I opt back in later?
Absolutely. You can change your preference at any time by returning to the same settings page and switching the option back to “Yes.”
Are all authors automatically enrolled?
Yes. Stories are opted in by default, meaning your story may already be eligible for translation. If you’d prefer not to participate, you’ll need to opt out via your story’s settings page.
Is this function available in the app?
The opt-out function is currently only available on the Inkitt website (inkitt.com). We’re actively working to bring it to the app soon, so stay tuned for updates.
What technology powers the translations?
Translations are powered by Google, which provides high-quality, natural-sounding results across a wide range of languages.
What languages is Inkitt translating to currently, and what’s on the horizon?
We’re currently translating stories into Spanish, German and French, with Portuguese and Hindi coming soon.
Are all translated stories translated into every language Inkitt supports?
Yes.
How can I tell if my story is being translated?
You can change the URL from https://inkitt.com/stories/[story_id] to https://inkitt.com/fr/stories/[story_id] to see if your story has been translated into other languages.
The “fr” = French, and can be swapped with “de” = German or “es” = Spanish. And soon, “pt” = Portuguese
Will this negatively impact my ratings?
We’re getting overwhelmingly positive reviews from users in other languages. 90% of reviews on translated stories are 5 stars. On the rare occasion we do get feedback on translation quality, we’re taking steps to fix the errors that are found.
