Amazon isn’t just a mega online marketplace; it’s the world’s most extensive digital library with stories of every genre you can find.
There are thousands of books on the same topic there, and it can be hard to make yours stand out.
That’s where Amazon’s keywords for books come in.
The use of the right keywords can help customers find the best book based on their needs. Or help your potential readers with aligning tastes find your book.
Now, let’s start by asking…
Table of Contents
What exactly are Amazon keywords for books?
When readers type these words or phrases into the search bar, your book can appear in their search results.
Amazon book keywords are phrases or words you choose when publishing your book on Amazon. Essentially, keywords are the search terms that readers type into Amazon when looking for a book to read. Almost all search engines use keywords. As such, choosing the right ones can be highly influential, impacting how and where your book appears in Amazon’s search results.
It’s just like how Google search works.
Keywords can be about the genre, theme, characters, or any relevant aspect of the book.
There are also a….
Criteria for good Amazon keywords for books
When choosing the keywords for your book, you want to ensure they’re top-notch..
Good keywords need to be relevant to your book and its content.
Here’s what you need to know about them:
Relevance
Your keywords need to be relevant to your book. No point in attracting mystery lovers if you’re selling a romance novel.
Specificity
General keywords have a high competition rate. Instead of “Romance,” go for something like “Romance novel set in Victorian England.”
Popularity
The trick is to find keywords that are popular but not too competitive. This is where keyword research tools come in handy.
Long Tail
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific keyword phrases. They might get fewer hits, but they can boost your rankings and attract the right audience.
And after research, what makes this effective
You may also start with…
Discovering the best Amazon keywords for books
Get them right, and you’ll be rewarded; get them wrong, and well, let’s say your masterpiece could get lost in the void. It’s important to get your keyword research done and make the most out of this optimization aspect. Here are a few helpful tips:
Examples of keywords for fiction and non-fiction books
Creating keywords for fiction books is like piecing together a mini-synopsis.
Elements like the setting, character types, plot points, and themes can all be used as keywords.
For example, if you’ve written a sci-fi novel about a time-traveling astronaut, potential keywords could be “time travel,” “astronaut,” “sci-fi adventure,” or “space exploration.”
For non-fiction books, your keywords should outline the primary subject matter and benefits to the reader.
For example, if your book is about vegan cooking for beginners, possible keywords could include “vegan recipes,” “beginner’s vegan cookbook,” “plant-based diet,” or “healthy eating.”
Now you also need to know about…
Amazon’s advice on keywords to avoid
As with everything, there are also keywords to avoid.
Amazon, being a fair and just platform, provides some guidance on what not to do with your keywords.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Don’t use subjective claims like “best” or “most amazing.” These don’t help your ranking and can come off as spam.
- Avoid using terms that are offensive or violate Amazon’s content guidelines.
- Stay away from brief statements like “new,” “on sale,” or “limited-time offer.”
Now it’s also essential to…
Use Amazon and Google for keyword research
Let’s start with the basics: Amazon and Google search.
Yes, these are your two tools when it comes to keyword research.
It’s the perfect place to start for your Amazon keywords for books.
They’re free, accessible, and they can provide you with some pretty keen insights.
So, how does it work?
Simple. Let’s say you’ve written an epic fantasy novel. You just type “fantasy book” or “epic fantasy” into the Amazon search bar, and voila!
For Google, you see a drop-down list of suggestions and popular search terms that real-life readers are typing.
Like a sneak peek into the reader’s mind, Google operates in much the same way.
The “autocomplete” feature in its search bar gives you a glimpse into what people are searching for.
But there is…
One more tool you might consider
Here’s another tool designed specifically for Amazon KDP keyword research – Publisher Rocket.
Publisher Rocket lets you discover what Amazon users are typing into their search bar, how many people are searching for these keywords, and how much money books using these keywords are making.
Publisher Rocket gives you access to real-time data from Amazon’s search engine, which can be convenient.
Plus, it gives you information on book categories and competition.
However, it isn’t free.
Plus, you need a basic understanding of keywords and SEO to make the most of it.
If cost is a consideration for you, here are some…
Free and advanced alternatives for keyword research
There are other alternatives for keyword research, both free and progressive.
Free tools like Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic, and Keyword Surfer are great starting points.
They can help you find long-tail keywords, understand search volume, and even see what questions people are asking about your topic.
On the advanced side, tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs provide detailed keyword analytics, site audits, and backlink analysis.
While they come with a cost, they offer an in-depth understanding of your keyword landscape, giving you an edge in the highly competitive book market.
Now that you get the tools listed.
It’s time for you to…
Build your list of keyword ideas
Here are steps to brainstorm keyword ideas for your books to keep things simple.
Step 1: Explore your literary level
Remember to take a virtual stroll through the pages of your competitors.
Identify what keywords they’re using in their titles and book descriptions, and evaluate how effective they seem to be.
Take notes, analyze patterns, and gather ideas – all this detective work will be worth it!
Step 2: Keep your eyes on Google trends
Google Trends is another fantastic tool for Amazon keywords for books. It provides insights into the popularity of a keyword over time.
This data can be invaluable in predicting up-and-coming trends in your book’s genre, helping you stay one step ahead.
Step 3: Delving deep into your book’s setting
Start your keyword brainstorming with your book’s setting. If your book is set in a city, specific neighborhoods or landmarks could be great keywords.
On the other hand, if your book is set in a remote, idyllic countryside, consider using words that bring out the tranquility and natural beauty of your setting.
And remember the period. If your book is set in a particular era, keywords related to that time can help readers find your book more easily.
Let’s say you’re writing a historical romance in Victorian England, ‘Victorian,’ ‘England,’ ’19th Century’, and ‘Historical Romance’ could be great keyword contenders.
Step 4: Character-driven keywords
Your characters offer a rich source of keyword ideas. Think about their occupations, hobbies, quirks, and backstories.
Describe them in as many ways as possible. Are they solid and independent, quirky and enigmatic, haunted by their past, or are they young wizards learning magic?
A character who’s a pastry chef in a small town could generate keywords like “pastry chef,” “small-town life,” or “baking mysteries.” A character with a strong sense of humor might suggest keywords like “funny,” “comic relief,” or “witty protagonist.”
For a detective story, words like ‘detective, ‘mystery,’ ‘investigation,’ and ‘noir ‘make sense.
Step 5: Plot themes and tonal keywords
Your book’s plot themes are a crucial element in keyword selection. If your story is about overcoming adversity, then keywords like “resilience,” “perseverance,” and “overcoming obstacles” are your friends.
For a tale of unrequited love, you could use “heartbreak,” “lost love,” or “unfulfilled desire” as keywords.
Your book might revolve around themes like love, betrayal, redemption, friendship, or bravery. Each of these themes is a gold mine for keywords.
Additionally, pay attention to the mood of your book.
Step 6: Curate your top contenders
After you’ve completed your research, it’s time to narrow down the list.
You’ll want to select seven keywords most relevant to your book with substantial search volumes and reasonably low competition.
This winning combination of factors will boost your book’s visibility and potential for sales.
Step 7: Continuous monitoring and updating
Keyword research isn’t a one-time task – it’s an ongoing process.
Keep an eye on your selected keywords’ performance, and feel free to switch them out if they’re not delivering the desired results.
Stay flexible and ready to adapt as market trends shift.
Amazon also gives…
Recommendations for effective keywords
When leveraging the power of keywords, Amazon has some valuable recommendations.
Amazon suggests using phrases rather than individual words to target your potential audience better. It encourages us to be specific and relevant.
Remember, it’s about quality, not quantity. Include elements like character roles (e.g., ‘single mom,’ ‘alien warrior’), plot themes (e.g., ‘second chances,’ ‘alien invasion’), and specific settings (e.g., ‘post-apocalyptic earth,’ ‘Chicago in the 1920s’).
So, keep your keywords varied and relevant to your book.
Also, remember some…
Best practices for KDP keywords
First one, remember the…
Dos and don’ts when selecting keywords
Use phrases that accurately describe your book’s content, style, and genre. Consider what potential readers might punch into the Amazon search bar when looking for a book like yours.
On the flip side, don’t even think about “keyword stuffing” when you try to cram as many keywords as possible into your description or title. It’s like trying to feed your reader a keyword sandwich.
It doesn’t taste good, and Amazon doesn’t like it.
But Amazon also likes the…
Use of long-tail keywords
Instead of ‘romance,’ go for ‘second chance small town romance,’ for example. These phrases pin down what your book is about and help it surface for the right readers.
They’re also less competitive, meaning your book has a better shot at shining in its own niche.
It’s also important to
Monitor the book chart performance
Long-tail keywords are typically three- or four-word phrases specific to your book.
These keywords may get less search traffic, but they often attract more quality prospects – people who are likelier to buy because they’re exactly the audience you’re looking for.
You’ve got to keep an eye on your book’s performance in the charts, too.
Changes in your chart performance could indicate that your keywords need a tweak.
If you notice a drop, try switching things up a bit – but remember, don’t overdo it.
This brings us to our next point…
The untold secrets of kindle keywords
You might have no idea about…
How Amazon checks and ignores specific keywords
When it comes to Amazon keywords for books, it has particular tastes.
It relishes in some keywords, gorging on them to help it decide which books should be presented first to hungry readers.
But, just like that food critic, it also turns its nose up at specific keywords, practically ignoring them.
Some keywords, you see, are classified as “stop words.”
These are the words Amazon’s system doesn’t give a hoot about.
Words like “the,” “and,” “a,” “an,” or “in” are the usual suspects in this category.
You might be thinking, “So what if Amazon doesn’t pay attention to ‘the’ or ‘and’?”
Amazon has a watchful eye on that, and your book might end up in the backseat rather than the spotlight.
Anyway, here are…
Ways keywords boost your book’s Visibility on Amazon
A few cleverly chosen keywords can catapult your text into the limelight, making it more visible to readers interested in your writing.
Think of keywords as the road signs that guide readers to your book.
If you’ve written a romance novel set in medieval times, “medieval romance novel” would be an excellent keyword.
Now, your book appears in the search results whenever someone on Amazon is hunting for a good old romantic tale with knights and ladies.
Amazon’s system uses your keywords to place your book in specific categories.
For example, using “science fiction” and “time travel” as your keywords would likely land your text in the “Science Fiction & Fantasy > Time Travel” category. This placement gives your book more visibility among readers interested in this genre.
Now, don’t get me wrong.
Keywords alone won’t make your book a bestseller overnight. But they do play a significant part in making your book discoverable, increasing its visibility, and ultimately, increasing your chances of making a sale.
Besides, the only important thing for us is to…
Navigate what works
What works for a horror novel might flop for a cooking book.
That’s why you gotta keep your fingers on the pulse of your target audience. Learn their lingo, understand their interests, and dig into their minds. Find the right keywords for Amazon, and you might sell more books.
And then, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the Amazon keyword game.
Think of it this way: you invite readers into your world, so keep it classy.
Keep refining, testing, and tweaking till you hit the sweet spot.
Remember, the goal is not to win a game of hide and seek; you want your book to be found, read, and loved!