📋 Table of Contents
What Are KDP Keywords?
Amazon KDP keywords are search terms that help readers discover your book. When you publish on KDP, you can enter up to 7 keyword phrases that describe your book's content, genre, themes, and target audience.
🎯 Keywords vs. Categories
Keywords: Search terms readers type (e.g., "cozy mystery with cats")
Categories: Amazon's organization system (e.g., Fiction > Mystery > Cozy)
Both work together to help readers find your book!
Why Keywords Matter in 2026
The Power of Keywords
- 70%+ of Amazon book sales come from search
- Good keywords = more visibility = more sales
- Keywords affect your Amazon Ads targeting
- They help Amazon understand your book's content
- Keywords can unlock hidden "browse categories"
How Many Keywords Can You Use?
KDP Keyword Limits
- 7 keyword boxes available
- Each box can hold up to 50 characters
- You can use phrases, not just single words
- No need to repeat words already in your title
- Don't use commas—each box is one keyword phrase
Total potential: 350 characters across 7 phrases = lots of searchable terms!
How to Find Keywords
Step 1: Amazon Search Bar
The easiest free method—use Amazon's autocomplete:
- Go to Amazon.com and select "Books" or "Kindle Store"
- Start typing a relevant term
- Note the autocomplete suggestions
- These are real searches by real customers!
Amazon suggests: "cozy mystery with recipes", "cozy mystery set in bookshop", "cozy mystery series"
Step 2: Competitor Research
Study successful books in your genre:
- Find bestsellers in your category
- Look at their subtitles (often contain keywords)
- Read their descriptions for keyword ideas
- Check what categories they're in
Step 3: Think Like a Reader
Ask yourself what readers search for:
- Genre + sub-genre: "paranormal romance"
- Theme: "second chance love story"
- Setting: "small town romance"
- Character type: "strong female protagonist"
- Tone: "feel good books"
- Comparisons: "books like Harry Potter"
Best Keyword Research Tools for 2026
🛠️ Free Tools
- Amazon Search Bar — Best free option
- Google Keyword Planner — See search volumes
- Sonar by Sellics — Free Amazon keyword tool
- Kindlepreneur Free Tool — Basic keyword generator
💎 Paid Tools (Worth It)
- Publisher Rocket — Best for authors ($97 one-time)
- KDP Rocket — Same as Publisher Rocket (rebranded)
- Book Beam — Chrome extension for research
Keyword Examples by Genre
Fiction Keywords
Romance:
✅ "small town second chance romance"
✅ "billionaire romance alpha male"
✅ "friends to lovers slow burn"
Thriller/Mystery:
✅ "detective series female sleuth"
✅ "crime fiction police procedural"
✅ "suspense books like gone girl"
Fantasy/Sci-Fi:
✅ "ya fantasy romance"
✅ "space opera adventure series"
✅ "urban fantasy paranormal"
Non-Fiction Keywords
Self-Help:
✅ "productivity habits morning routine"
✅ "anxiety relief workbook"
✅ "confidence building for women"
Business:
✅ "amazon fba beginners guide"
✅ "entrepreneur startup business"
✅ "investing for beginners"
Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
❌ What NOT to Do
❌ Brand names: "kindle unlimited books"
❌ Misleading terms: "free book" (if not free)
❌ Competitor book titles
❌ Single words: "romance" (too broad)
❌ Using commas: "romance, mystery, thriller"
Amazon may suppress your book if you:
- Use trademarked terms
- Make false claims ("New York Times bestseller" if not)
- Keyword stuff (irrelevant terms)
- Use competitor author/book names
How to Optimize Keywords
Keyword Optimization Strategy
1. Use Phrases, Not Single Words:
2. Don't Repeat Title Words:
If your title is "Murder at the Bakery," don't use "bakery mystery" as a keyword—Amazon already indexes your title.
3. Use All 7 Boxes:
Maximize your chances by filling all 7 keyword fields with unique, relevant phrases.
4. Update Keywords Regularly:
Trends change! Review and update your keywords every 3-6 months.
5. Test with Amazon Ads:
Run Amazon Ads to see which keywords convert, then add winners to your book listing.
🚀 Pro Keyword Formula for 2026
Fill your 7 keyword boxes with this strategy:
- Genre + Subgenre: "cozy mystery amateur detective"
- Theme + Emotion: "heartwarming feel good romance"
- Setting + Genre: "small town bakery mystery"
- Character + Trope: "strong heroine enemies to lovers"
- Comp titles style: "books like agatha christie"
- Reader type: "beach reads for women"
- Specific niche: "recipes included cozy mystery series"
📚 Ready to Publish Your Book?
Check out our other publishing guides and tools!