Trending Now: Keywords and Amazon Book Categories
Glimpses of Amazon’s Algorithm
While it’s impossible to know exactly what’s going on with Amazon’s algorithm, it is possible to analyze search results to get a peek. And that means you’ll have a better idea of which keywords and categories are gaining traction on Amazon. While specific trends can vary, there are general practices you can adopt:
Niche Down: Finding a niche category can reduce competition and increase your visibility. My suggestion is to choose several better known categories and mix that with a more specific, lesser known one.
Seasonal and Event-Based Keywords: Tailor your keywords and categories around holidays, events, or trending topics to capture interest.
Increase Your Book’s Ranking on Amazon: Amazon ranks every book, and that rank controls where the book shows up in the feed. There’s a big difference between page 1 and page 3, just as there is in Google search results. So the higher you rank, the more sales you’ll get.
So how do you increase your rank? The ranking assigned consists of both recent and historical activity, with a greater emphasis on recent events. Amazon calculates your Amazon Best Seller Rank (ABSR) using past sales data.
Need help setting up your book marketing campaign? Click below for an easy-to-follow, comprehensive infographic that we’ve proven time and time again with our authors.
What does Amazon consider ‘activity?’
Surprisingly, three elements affect your Amazon Best Seller Rank:
- Sales
- Kindle Unlimited (KU) downloads (if you are part of that program)
- Clicks on your book’s sales page
It’s straightforward enough to understand why a sale would affect your rank. It’s less intuitive that KU downloads and page clicks would be impactful. If your book is part of the Kindle Unlimited program, subscribers can download your book for free. Here’s the key: these downloads are considered equivalent to sales in terms of how they affect your rank.
This is why books in KU often appear to perform better on Amazon. Consider this: if you were a KU subscriber, would you buy a book or download one for free through KU? This dynamic is why KU books frequently achieve higher Amazon bestseller ranks and better category rankings.
Of course, KU downloads don’t increase your bottom line very much at all. It can be tempting to shake our fists at the unfriendly giant that Amazon has become as we feel more and more like Amazon’s slave army of authors, providing this behemoth with lead magnets (our books!) that Amazon uses to sell $2000 televisions and the like. While this is all true, it is also true that sacrificing a few books for the greater good of achieving higher ranking can be a winning strategy overall, giving you more sales in the long run. And really, how many KU readers are there, especially compared to the whole body of readers that shop on Amazon?
Regarding clicks, they do play a role in your ABSR, especially in cases where a book’s sales are stagnant or very low (typically in the ABSR range of 500,000 to 9 million). In such situations, if someone finds your book on Amazon and clicks on its sales page, this action can improve its ABSR. That being said, it’s worth noting that while clicks technically influence your ranking, their impact is generally minimal unless there are no recent sales.
Time to Get Started!
There’s even more to know, of course, but this is a good place to begin. Take some time and analyze what’s happening with your book rank, and consider signing up for KU just to see what happens. A lot of book marketing online is learning what works through trial and error, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You’ll get there if you keep pressing forward!
Written by Lara Helmling
More From This Category
Want a Bigger Audience? Consider a Collaborative Project
Whether you're a seasoned novelist or a budding writer, participating in these collaborative endeavors can offer unique advantages that might just take your work to new heights. Why Collaborate? 1. Diverse Perspectives Enhance Creativity Contributing to an anthology...
Charting the Course to an Amazon Bestseller
Achieving bestseller status is a coveted milestone for any author The right sales tactics can significantly boost your chances of reaching this goal. Here are three strategies that have proven effective for many successful authors: 1. Master the Art of the Pre-Launch...
0 Comments