Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As a self-published author on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it’s important to choose the right categories and keywords for your book to help it get discovered by potential readers. When you use relevant keywords and choose the most specific categories that apply to your book, you increase the chances that your book will be shown to readers who are searching for books like yours. This can lead to more sales and more visibility for your book, which can be crucial for the success of your book on KDP. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and strategies for choosing the right categories and keywords for your book on KDP.
Research Your Competition’s Keywords & Categories
By researching your competition’s categories and keywords, you’ll better understand what is working for them and what isn’t. You’ll want to focus mainly on the keywords in your competition’s titles and subtitles, and also their descriptions. The jury is still out on how much Google uses the book description for SEO, but we do know that the title and subtitle hold alot of weight when it comes to ranking on Amazon.
To find what categories a book is listing in, simply scroll down to the bottom of the book’s listing page.
Here are a few ways to use your competitor’s books to research categories and keywords.
- Search for books in your genre: Use the Amazon search bar to search for books in your genre and see what comes up. You can also use advanced search filters to narrow your results by categories, formats, and other factors.
- Check out the bestseller lists: Amazon has bestseller lists for various categories and genres, which can be a good place to see what books are currently popular. You can access the bestseller lists by going to the Books homepage and clicking on the “Best Sellers” tab.
Keyword Research Tools
There are a number of keyword research tools available that can help you identify relevant and popular keywords for your book. Some tools, like the Google AdWords Keyword Planner, are free to use and can give you an idea of the search volume and competition for specific keywords.
Other tools, like Publisher Rocket, are specifically designed for authors and can help you find keywords and categories that are relevant to your book and your target audience.
I personally use Publisher Rocket to help me find high search volume keywords with low competition for my self-published books. I’m really impressed with the tool’s ability to quickly find very good keywords and color code everything for me so I can tell at a quick glance if a keyword is worth pursuing.
To read more about how to use Publisher Rocker, check out How To Use The Keywords Module of Publisher Rocket To Find Profitable KDP Niches
Relevant Keywords
Choosing keywords that are relevant to your book’s content and genre is important because it helps your book get discovered by potential readers who are interested in that content and genre. When you use relevant keywords in your book’s metadata (such as the title, subtitle, description, and the 7 keyword slot), you increase the chances that your book will be shown to readers who are searching for books like yours. This can lead to more sales and more visibility for your book.
Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more specific and less competitive than short-tail keywords, and they can be more effective in helping your book get discovered. For example, instead of using the keyword “fantasy,” you might try using a long-tail keyword like “dark fantasy novels for adults.”
By using long-tail keywords you increase your chances of being discovered because long-tail keywords have less competition and more targeted traffic.
Choose the Most Specific Category
The jury is still out on how to choose the best category for your book also, however, a good rule of thumb is to choose the most specific category available. Amazon has a hierarchical system of categories, with more general categories at the top and more specific categories at the bottom. It’s generally best to choose the most specific category that applies to your book, as this will help your book stand out in search results and make it easier for readers to find.
Other Things You Can Do To Stand Out
Use Amazon’s “Look Inside” Feature
Use this feature to take a peak into your competition’s books. This will help you identify if there are any areas your book needs improved to stay in the game and beat out your competition.
Read Your Competitor’s Reviews
Check out the reviews your competition is getting. You can use these reviews to get a sense of what readers are looking for in a book and what they like and dislike about books in your genre. You can then use that information to give readers what other books don’t.
Cover Design
Your book’s cover is often the first thing a potential reader sees, and it can make a big impact on whether they decide to read more about your book or move on to something else. A good cover design can grab a reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about your book.
A well-designed cover can help convey a sense of professionalism and quality to potential readers. A poorly designed cover, on the other hand, can give the impression that your book is amateurish or not worth reading.
A tool like BookBolt can help you design your cover with their cover designer. If you create low-content books, you can use BookBolt to design your interiors as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right keywords and categories for your self-published book on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is an important factor in getting your book discovered by potential readers and increasing your sales. By using relevant keywords and choosing the most specific categories that apply to your book, you can help your book stand out in search results and attract more qualified traffic.
Taking the time to carefully choose the right keywords and categories can be a valuable investment in the success of your book on KDP. Using a keyword tool like Google Keyword Planner or Publisher Rocket can help you find the most profitable keywords, help you to spy on your competition, and save you a boatload of time.
How do I make changes to my self-published book on Amazon KDP?