KDP keywords: how to choose them

Amazon gives you seven keyword slots for your KDP listing. Those phrases don’t appear on your product page, but they influence when your book shows up in search. Choosing the right KDP keywords can improve visibility; the wrong ones waste slots. Here’s how to choose them well.

What KDP keywords do

When a reader types “cozy mystery small town” or “enemies to lovers romance,” Amazon uses your title, subtitle, description, and keywords to decide which books to show. Keywords are backend metadata—invisible to shoppers but used by the algorithm. Good keywords match real search behavior and fit your book.

Use phrases, not single words

Single words like “romance” or “thriller” are too broad and competitive. Use phrases: “second chance romance,” “psychological thriller twist,” “historical fiction World War II.” Think like a reader: what would they type to find a book like yours? Combine genre + trope, theme, setting, or character type.

Don’t repeat your title or subtitle

Amazon already indexes your title and subtitle. Repeating those words in the keyword field doesn’t help and wastes space. Use keywords for additional terms: tropes, comp-style phrases, or subgenres you couldn’t fit in the title.

Match reader language

Use the words readers actually search for. “Rom com” might be more common than “romantic comedy” in some genres. “Clean romance” and “sweet romance” mean different things. Browse Amazon and autocomplete in the search bar to see what phrases people use. Align your keywords with that language.

Mix reach and relevance

Some phrases have huge search volume (e.g. “romance novels”); others are niche (“viking romance”). A mix helps: a few broader category terms and several specific phrases that describe your book accurately. Pure broad terms may get you impressions but not clicks; pure niche may get few impressions. Balance both.

Avoid stuffing and tricks

Don’t stuff irrelevant trending words into your keywords. Don’t use competitor names or misleading phrases. Amazon’s guidelines prohibit keyword stuffing and can suppress or penalize listings. Keep every phrase true to your book.

Review and refresh

Keywords aren’t set in stone. After launch, check your Amazon Advertising or KDP reports (if available) to see which search terms drive sales. You can update keywords anytime. Test new phrases, drop ones that don’t help, and refine as you learn what your audience searches for.

Your seven KDP keyword slots are a small but powerful lever for discoverability. Choose phrases that real readers use and that accurately describe your book, and you’ll give your title a better chance to show up in the right searches.