Publishing books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the fastest ways to build passive income online. But here’s the truth: no matter how great your book is, it won’t sell if people can’t find it. That’s where KDP keyword research comes in.
Choosing the right keywords can make the difference between a book that gets buried on page 20 of Amazon search results and one that consistently ranks on the first page, bringing in daily sales.
In this complete step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to do KDP keyword research, the tools you need, mistakes to avoid, and how to optimize your books for better rankings.
What Are KDP Keywords?
KDP keywords are the words and phrases that readers type into Amazon’s search bar when they are looking for books. Amazon then matches those search terms with books in its database.
For example:
-
If someone types “gratitude journal for women”, Amazon will show all books that are optimized for that keyword.
-
If your book matches the keyword and has a good cover, reviews, and price, readers are more likely to buy it.
Related: KDP Beginner Launch Checklist (internal link suggestion).
Why Keyword Research Is Important for KDP
Many beginners skip keyword research and just guess what people are searching for. This usually leads to low visibility and poor sales.
Here’s why keyword research is critical:
-
Boosts Visibility → Your book shows up in the right search results.
-
Increases Sales → Targeted keywords bring buyers, not just browsers.
-
Reduces Competition → You can find less competitive keywords and rank faster.
-
Long-Term Income → Once ranked, books can bring in sales for years.
Related: How Bloggers Can Earn Daily with Monetag.
Types of Keywords for KDP
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, you need to understand the types of keywords used in Amazon KDP.
1. Short-Tail Keywords
-
Example: “Journal”
-
High search volume but very competitive.
2. Long-Tail Keywords
-
Example: “Gratitude journal for busy moms”
-
Lower competition, more specific, and better for beginners.
3. Niche Keywords
-
Example: “Crypto trading journal for entrepreneurs”
-
Targeted audience, less competition, and higher conversion.
Step-by-Step Guide to KDP Keyword Research
Now let’s go through the process step by step.
Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas
Start by thinking about your book’s topic. Ask yourself:
-
Who is my target audience?
-
What problem does my book solve?
-
What phrases would my readers type in Amazon search?
Example: If you’re creating a fitness planner, your readers might search:
-
“Workout log book”
-
“Fitness planner for women”
-
“Gym progress tracker”
Step 2: Use Amazon Auto-Suggest
Amazon’s search bar is one of the best free keyword tools.
-
Go to Amazon.com
-
Type your main keyword, e.g., “gratitude journal”
-
Look at the drop-down suggestions
Example results:
-
“Gratitude journal for women”
-
“Gratitude journal for kids”
-
“Gratitude journal for couples”
These suggestions are real keywords people are searching for.
Step 3: Check Search Volume
Not every keyword is worth targeting. Some have very low searches.
Free tools like:
-
Amazon Auto-Suggest (free)
-
Google Keyword Planner (free)
-
Publisher Rocket (paid, highly recommended)
Publisher Rocket shows:
-
Search volume
-
Competition score
-
Average earnings for each keyword
Step 4: Analyze Competition
A good keyword has demand but not too much competition.
Here’s how to analyze:
-
Type the keyword into Amazon.
-
Check the top 10 results.
-
Look for:
-
Are the covers professional?
-
Do they have many reviews (100+)?
-
How long have they been published?
-
If you see books with poor covers, low reviews, or new listings, it’s a great keyword opportunity.
Step 5: Check Best Seller Rank (BSR)
BSR tells you how well a book is selling on Amazon.
-
A book with a BSR of under 100,000 usually sells a few copies per day.
-
A BSR of under 10,000 sells many copies daily.
Rule of Thumb:
-
If multiple books under your keyword have BSR below 200,000 → Good demand.
-
If BSR is too high (1,000,000+), demand is low.
Step 6: Pick 7 Keywords for KDP Upload
When uploading your book on KDP, you can add 7 keyword slots.
Tips:
-
Use long-tail keywords (specific phrases).
-
Don’t repeat words already in your title or subtitle.
-
Combine variations (e.g., “gratitude journal for kids” and “kids gratitude workbook”).
Example keywords for a gratitude journal:
-
Gratitude journal for women
-
Daily gratitude journal 90 days
-
Gratitude journal with prompts
-
Gratitude and mindfulness journal
-
Kids gratitude activity book
-
Gratitude workbook for teens
-
Morning gratitude journal for men
Step 7: Optimize Title and Subtitle
Your title and subtitle are the most powerful places to include keywords.
Example:
-
Title: Gratitude Journal for Women
-
Subtitle: 90 Days of Positive Thinking, Mindfulness, and Self-Care
Notice how it naturally includes “gratitude journal for women” without stuffing.
Related: Crypto Blueprint for Beginners.
Step 8: Optimize Description
Your book description should be keyword-rich but easy to read.
Use bullet points
Add main keyword in the first 2 lines
Include secondary keywords naturally
Example:
“This gratitude journal for women is designed to help you practice daily mindfulness and self-care. Perfect for beginners, this journal includes prompts, affirmations, and 90 days of guided reflection.”
Step 9: Optimize Categories
Don’t forget about categories! Keywords help you get discovered, but categories help you rank.
Example: For a gratitude journal, categories might be:
-
Self-Help → Journaling
-
Health & Wellness → Mindfulness
-
Personal Development → Happiness
Pro Tip: You can request up to 10 categories by emailing Amazon KDP support.
Advanced Keyword Research Strategies
Once you understand the basics, try these advanced methods:
1. Competitor Spying
Look at the keywords your competitors use in their titles, subtitles, and descriptions.
2. Niche Stacking
Instead of just “gratitude journal,” target multiple niches like “gratitude journal for teens,” “gratitude journal for teachers,” etc.
3. Seasonal Keywords
Create books around seasonal demand:
-
Christmas coloring books
-
New Year planners
-
Valentine’s Day journals
4. Low-Content Books
Use keywords for low-content books like:
-
Notebooks
-
Logbooks
-
Trackers
Related: Guide to Selling Printables Online.
Common Mistakes in KDP Keyword Research
Avoid these mistakes if you want to rank and sell books:
-
Targeting too broad keywords (like “journal”).
-
Keyword stuffing in titles and descriptions.
-
Ignoring competition: some keywords are too competitive.
-
Not checking demand: some keywords have zero buyers.
-
Repeating the same word across all 7 keyword slots.
Tools to Make KDP Keyword Research Easier
-
Publisher Rocket (Paid) → Best overall tool.
-
SelfPublishingTitans Keyword Tool (Free).
-
Google Trends → See if demand is increasing.
-
Helium 10 (Paid) → Advanced research tool.
Success Tips for KDP Keyword Research
-
Focus on long-tail keywords to rank faster.
-
Always balance demand vs. competition.
-
Track your keywords in Search Console and update descriptions.
-
Create multiple books around proven keywords.
-
Keep testing; keyword trends change often.
Related: How to Fix Sitemap Submission Errors in Blogger.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many keywords should I use in KDP?
Amazon allows 7 keyword slots. Use all of them with different long-tail phrases.
Q2: Can I use competitor brand names as keywords?
No. Amazon does not allow using trademarks or brand names.
Q3: Should I repeat keywords in title and keyword slots?
No. Amazon already indexes words from your title, subtitle, and description. Use different variations in keyword slots.
Q4: How long does it take to rank for keywords?
Usually 2–6 weeks depending on demand, competition, and reviews.
Q5: Can keywords alone guarantee sales?
No. Keywords help you get discovered, but cover design, reviews, and pricing also affect sales.
Conclusion
Keyword research is the foundation of a successful KDP publishing business. Without the right keywords, your book will struggle to get discovered, no matter how good it is.
By following this step-by-step KDP keyword research guide, brainstorming ideas, using Amazon Auto-Suggest, analyzing competition, checking BSR, and optimizing your 7 keyword slots you can give your book the best chance to rank and sell.
Next read: KDP Beginner Launch Checklist (internal link suggestion).
Start small, keep testing keywords, and soon your books will be bringing in consistent sales on Amazon.
