You spent months writing your book and edited every chapter. You picked a strong cover. Then you hit publish. But now, few people seem to notice it.
That feels frustrating. Still, there may be a simple reason. Your book may be sitting on the wrong digital shelf.
That is where Amazon book categories come in. They help readers find books by genre and topic. So, the right choice can make a real difference.
But do you know how to find Amazon book categories that truly fit your book? The good news is that you don’t have to guess. With some research and a clear plan, you can choose with confidence.
Picture a bookstore. You want a mystery novel. So, you walk straight to the mystery section.
Amazon works in much the same way. Its categories group books by genre, subject, and reader interest. As a result, shoppers can browse books they already enjoy.
For example, say you wrote a historical romance. A general fiction shelf may bring a wide crowd. However, a historical romance shelf brings readers who want that exact kind of story.
That is why your amazon books categories matter. The right choice might help you:
Of course, categories alone won’t make sales. Your cover, description, and reviews matter too. Still, the goal is simple. Place your book where interested readers will look.
First, think about who might buy your book. What do they like to read? What are they looking at? Which books do feel like theirs?
These questions guide your research. So, start with your main genre. Then, narrow it down to a subgenre.
For instance, fantasy covers many kinds of stories. Some have dragons and magic. Others are about romance or dark worlds. Likewise, a fan of romantic fantasy may not be a fan of epic fantasy.
Then consider theme and tone. Is your story funny, sad, tense, or packed with action? Or does your nonfiction book teach a skill or fix a problem?
These details help you spot categories that match what readers expect. After all, reaching more people means little if they don’t care about your book. Once you know your audience, the rest gets much easier.
Now comes the practical part. The good news is that you can get started using Amazon’s bookstore and your KDP dashboard without investing in expensive tools.
First, visit Amazon’s Books or Kindle Store. Then, look for the categories menu. Next, open the sections that match your genre. After that, click into the subcategories to see how Amazon groups similar books.
For example, a fiction writer might browse romance, mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction. However, don’t stop at the first match. Instead, keep going until you find narrower choices that fit.
Do you need a list of all amazon categories and subcategories? If so, start with Amazon’s official KDP Categories guide. It links to category sections for each supported marketplace.
Keep in mind that Amazon changes its categories over time. So, an old amazon categories list may miss some current options.
Next, search for books close to yours. Choose titles with similar genres, themes, and audiences. Then, open the product pages and look at the category info.
Notice where those books appear. Also, notice what readers expect from them. For instance, suppose your novel follows a detective in a small town. In that case, you may find similar books in cozy mysteries.
These examples give you clues. However, don’t copy another author’s categories without checking them. A popular book may appeal to readers for reasons that don’t fit yours. So, use rival titles as a guide. Then, pick categories that describe your own book.
Once you have a few ideas, open your KDP account. First, go to your Bookshelf. Then, open your book’s details and find the Categories section.
Here, you can pick up to three categories. Start with your main genre. Next, look through the subcategories. Then choose the ones that best fit your book.
Also, check your main marketplace and book format. Some categories differ between Kindle ebooks and print books. If your top pick isn’t there, choose the closest honest match. Above all, avoid unrelated categories just because they seem easier to rank in.
Finding categories is only half the job. Then you have to decide who is worthy of a spot on it.
First, check for relevance. Does the category describe your book? Would a reader browsing there enjoy your story or topic? If yes, it’s worth a closer look.
Then, study the books already there. Open several popular titles. Look at their covers, descriptions, and reviews. As a result, you will see what shoppers expect.
Broad categories hold many kinds of books. Narrow ones, meanwhile, cater to readers with specific tastes. But smaller is not always better.
For example, imagine placing a children’s adventure book in an unrelated niche with fewer titles. At first, that may seem smart. Yet readers there probably won’t want your book.
Instead, aim for balance. Weigh relevance, reader interest, and competition together. Also, remember that categories vary by marketplace. So, check the store where you expect most of your sales.
In short, the best category isn’t the easiest one. It’s the one that connects your book with the right readers.
Your categories tell Amazon what kind of book you wrote. Meanwhile, keywords add detail about what’s inside. That’s why KDP category keywords deserve some attention.
KDP lets you add up to seven keywords or short phrases. These can describe your setting, themes, characters, or main subject. For example, a romance may have small-town life, second chances, or childhood friends. Thus, readers can find stories that suit their tastes.
But beware: don’t use words in your categories or title that have already been used. So instead of choosing unnatural phrases, let’s choose natural phrases that add new information.
Also, enter possible search terms into Amazon’s search bar. The suggestions can show how shoppers describe similar books. Then, compare those terms with your own book.
Keep in mind that keywords don’t promise a certain placement or sale. Still, accurate keywords and categories work well together.
Even experienced authors make poor category choices. Fortunately, most errors are easy to avoid.
One common mistake is picking categories only for low competition. Another is choosing popular ones that don’t fit. Both attract the wrong readers.
Also, some authors rely on an old amazon categories list without checking their current KDP options. Others set their categories once and never look again.
Yet Amazon updates its system from time to time. Likewise, your book’s position may shift as you learn about your readers. So, review your choices when needed.
To make changes, follow these steps:
Amazon says new placements may take up to 72 hours to appear. Overall, a quick review keeps your book in a fitting place.
Choosing categories is one part of a bigger plan. Your title, cover, description, keywords, and categories should all speak to the same readers. Otherwise, the message can get mixed.
For new authors, that may feel like a lot. So take it one step at a time. First, determine your categories. Now look at your keywords. And lastly, proofread your description.
If you want a second opinion, ask a trusted editor or co-author. Professional publishing advice can help with every step of the process, from preparing your book to launching it. Either way, having a clear plan will keep you focused on the readers who will appreciate your work.
A great book deserves a fair chance to reach its readers. Now you know how to find Amazon book categories and can make more informed choices.
First of all, begin with your audience. Then, look for some similar books. Then compare the categories for a good fit. Lastly, re-evaluate your choices as your publishing career progresses. Good, solid planning can move your book one step closer to the readers it deserves.
At Hemingway Publishers, we believe that every book deserves to be discovered by the right readers. So we hope this guide will assist you with your category research and shed light on your next publishing move.
What is the number of categories of books available at Amazon?
With Amazon KDP, you can select up to 3 categories. So, select ones that are related to the book genre and will encourage interested readers to read your book.
What are the best relevant Amazon categories for my book?
First, explore Amazon’s bookstore. Next, research other titles and look at the sections in KDP. When you need additional assistance, professional publishing advice can assist you with your decisions.
Are categories of books available to change after publishing on Amazon?
Yes. Now you can access your KDP Bookshelf and edit your book listing, then change the categories. That means that your book remains relevant to its target audience.