Amazon KDP Keyword Research: Helping Readers Find Your Book

On Amazon, keywords are the bridge between your book and the readers searching for it. Optimizing your 7 backend keyword slots is one of the most important things you can do.

Put yourself in the reader's shoes to find effective keywords.

When you publish a book on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Amazon allows you to fill in 7 keyword slots, each with a 50-character limit. This is your opportunity to 'tell' Amazon's algorithm what your book is about.

Think Like a Reader

Ask yourself: If a reader was looking for a book like mine, what would they type into the Amazon search bar? List all possible phrases.

• Main theme: e.g., 'beginner cookbook for college students', 'historical romance novel'.
• Character or setting: 'detective story set in London', 'book about a female astronaut'.
• Problem solved: 'how to overcome procrastination', 'meditation guide for busy people'.
• Similar authors: If your book's style is similar to a famous author, you can target their readers.

Use Helper Tools

Don't just guess. Use data to validate your ideas.

Tools like Helium 10, Publisher Rocket, or even Amazon's own search bar can provide valuable keyword suggestions. Pay attention to long-tail keywords as they often have lower competition and higher conversion rates.

The Golden Rules for Filling in Keywords

• Don't repeat words: Amazon is smart enough to combine words from different slots. Don't waste space.
• No need to enter author name or title: Amazon already indexes this information automatically.
• Use the full 50 characters: Try to fill each slot with related phrases. For example, 'quick easy recipes for college students' is much better than just 'cooking'.
• Don't use quotation marks: Just write the words separated by spaces.

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