Posted on October 14th, 2025

 

You’ve written the book. The story’s real, the characters live on the page, and now it’s time to get it out there. But here's the catch: if no one can find it, no one can read it.

That’s why keywords matter. Not in a boring, textbook way, but in the way that decides whether your book shows up or goes into the abyss of a third page.

Think of it less like marketing and more like making sure your story ends up in the right hands.

Choosing the right words helps your book stand out in a sea of titles, without shouting or selling your soul.

And while it might sound technical, the right approach turns it into something a lot more interesting. Let’s get into it.

 

How Can Authors Choose Effective Keywords To Improve Sales

Choosing effective keywords isn’t just a backend chore. It’s a direct lever for boosting your book’s visibility and, in turn, your sales. Especially on Amazon, where most self-published books live or die by how easily readers can stumble across them.

This platform functions more like a search engine than a traditional bookstore. Readers type in what they’re in the mood for, and Amazon serves up suggestions it thinks are a match. Your job is to make sure your book is one of them.

That starts with figuring out how readers search. They aren’t typing in your name or your book title if they’ve never heard of you. They’re searching for topics, themes, or genres they already care about.

The right keywords help your book meet those expectations. Not by being loud or flashy, but by quietly aligning with what your readers are already looking for.

Your keywords should reflect your book’s appeal. Think about how a reader might describe your book to a friend or, better yet, how they’d search for something similar.

If your story is a fast-paced legal thriller, broad terms like "legal thriller" might get you in the door, but more specific ones like "female prosecutor fiction" could bring in the right kind of attention. A strong mix of general and niche keywords helps cover more ground while still staying relevant.

But there’s more going on under the surface. Amazon’s algorithm, sometimes referred to as A9, tracks performance across every listing. That includes how often your book gets clicked, how well it sells after those clicks, and how it stacks up against others in similar categories.

The keywords you choose affect that cycle. Strong, relevant keywords can improve traffic. That traffic fuels conversions. Conversions improve ranking. And a better ranking earns even more exposure.

Keyword strategy isn’t something you set once and forget. Keep an eye on what’s gaining traction and what’s getting buried. If your sales dip or plateau, it could be time to swap out underperforming terms.

The market shifts, seasons change, and reader behavior evolves. Staying flexible gives your book the best shot at staying visible.

 

Tips For Conducting Effective Amazon Keyword Research

Effective keyword research starts by stepping into the shoes of your reader. It’s not just about what you think your book is about; it’s about what someone else might type when they’re hunting for something similar.

Think genre, tone, tropes, and even specific problems or questions your book addresses. The goal is to figure out how people search, not how you describe your own work.

The easiest place to begin? Amazon’s own search bar. As you type, it fills in suggestions based on what real people are already looking for. Those suggestions aren’t just hints; they’re actually free data. They reveal what’s trending, what’s consistent, and where your book might naturally fit.

From there, you can build out your list using more targeted tools that offer deeper insight. The more you learn, the clearer the market becomes.

To sharpen your research:

• Look at Amazon’s autocomplete results for real-time ideas based on popular queries.
• Use tools like Publisher Rocket or Helium 10 to check keyword volume and competitiveness.
• Scan the top-ranking books in your category to see which words appear in their titles, subtitles, and descriptions.
• Pay attention to patterns in Google Trends to catch rising interest before it peaks.

Once you’ve gathered a healthy list, analyze which terms strike the right balance. Some keywords have high traffic but come with stiff competition.

Others are so niche they’ll barely move the needle. The sweet spot lies somewhere in between using terms that are specific enough to attract the right readers but broad enough to pull in a decent number of searches.

Keyword strategies work best when you treat them like a living part of your publishing plan. Revisit and tweak your list regularly.

If your book’s traffic plateaus, or if seasonal trends shift interest toward a related topic, adjust accordingly. What works in October might fall flat by March. The market is fluid, and your keywords should be too.

Above all, make sure your keywords reflect what your book actually delivers. Misleading terms might get clicks, but they won’t convert. The goal isn’t to game the system; it’s to meet the right readers where they are and invite them in with clarity and honesty.

 

How To Get More Book Sales On Amazon

Once your keywords are locked in, the real work begins. Using them in a way that Amazon’s system respects and readers actually respond to. This isn’t just about stuffing words into random spots. It’s about placing them where they naturally fit and quietly doing their job without getting in the way.

Your title and subtitle carry the most weight with Amazon’s ranking system. If you can include a keyword there without forcing it, you’re off to a solid start. But don’t trade clarity or appeal just to squeeze in a search term. A strong title should still stand on its own, even if it happens to include a phrase readers are searching for.

The book description is where you can get a little more creative. Focus on telling a story that hooks the reader while threading in relevant terms. The goal isn’t to trick the algorithm; it’s to make sure your book shows up and sounds worth reading once it does.

Beyond what readers see, Amazon gives you seven hidden keyword slots to work with. Each can hold up to 50 characters, and this is where smart authors experiment.

Try combinations of phrases, misspellings people might use, or variations on a theme. Don’t repeat words already used in your title or subtitle. Instead, think about adjacent interests or terms that aren’t obvious but are still relevant.

To go beyond the basics, look at categories. Choosing the right subcategory can make your book more visible with fewer competitors. Don’t settle for Amazon’s default. Dig around the Kindle Store, find books like yours, and see where they’re listed. Then request those specific categories through Author Central or KDP support.

Also, consider setting up your Look Inside preview strategically. If Amazon indexes text from your sample, make sure those first few pages aren’t just filler. A brief hook with naturally placed keywords can help with relevance while pulling readers in.

Keep tabs on performance using tools like Amazon Author Central, KDP Reports, or even just a private spreadsheet. Watch how small tweaks affect your rankings. Over time, patterns will emerge, and those insights will become the backbone of your strategy.

Selling more books on Amazon is rarely about a single move. It’s a steady rhythm of refining, testing, and staying alert to what your audience is actually looking for. Keep the book appealing, the data honest, and the strategy fluid. That’s how you stay visible—and stay selling.

 

Learn The Secrets of Self-Publishing on Amazon from Kaye Jeter

Effective keyword use isn’t just a technical step; it’s a quiet engine that keeps your book discoverable and relevant.

As Amazon’s marketplace evolves, so should your approach. Treat your keywords like tools and adjust them, test them, and let the data help you. When done right, your book doesn’t just sit on a shelf; it moves.

If you're serious about building a strategy that lasts, consider joining our 6-week course on self-publishing on Amazon. It’s built for authors who are ready to stop guessing and start making informed, confident decisions.

In the course, we cover the practical side of publishing: keyword research, metadata, book positioning, and more.

You’ll leave with a clear roadmap that puts you in control of your book’s success, not lost in a fog of trial and error. It's more than just lessons; it’s a working session to get your book market-ready.

For direct support or specific questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call us at (937) 620-8036. We’re here to offer insight, structure, and straight answers when you need them most.