Keyword Research for KDPKeywords are critical for discoverability on Amazon, influencing search results alongside factors like sales history and Amazon Best Sellers Rank. The following details are based on KDP’s official guidance and best practices from industry experts.

Process for Adding and Updating Keywords:

• Access your KDP Bookshelf at https://kdp.amazon.com/bookshelf.
• Click the ellipsis button ("…") next to your book and select "Edit book details" for the relevant format.
• In the "Keywords" section, add or edit up to 7 keywords or short phrases, ensuring compliance with character limits.
• Click "Save and Continue" at the bottom, then proceed to the Pricing page and click "Publish." For timelines on updates, refer to KDP Help Page.

Best Practices for Keywords:

• Combine keywords logically, such as "military science fiction" rather than fragmented terms like "fiction science military," to improve relevance.
• Use up to 7 keywords, ensuring they fit within Amazon’s character limit, and test them by searching on Amazon to ensure relevant results.
• Think like a reader, imagining search terms they might use, such as setting (e.g., "Colonial America"), character types (e.g., "single dad," "veteran"), character roles (e.g., "strong female lead"), plot themes (e.g., "coming of age," "forgiveness"), and story tone (e.g., "dystopian," "feel-good").
• Avoid:
  • Duplicates from metadata like title, subtitle, or categories.
  • Subjective claims (e.g., "best novel ever").
  • Time-sensitive terms (e.g., "new," "on sale").
  • Common category terms (e.g., "book").
  • Spelling errors, spacing/punctuation variants (except for translations like "Mao Zedong" or "Hanukkah").
  • Misrepresentative information or unauthorized brands.
  • Amazon program names (e.g., "Kindle Unlimited," "KDP Select") or HTML tags.
• All keywords must comply with KDP’s Terms and Conditions.

Additional Tips from Best Practices:

• Use tools like KDSPY or Book Beam for advanced keyword research, which can analyze search volume and competition.
• Consider common misspellings (e.g., "blond" for "blonde") if they have higher search value, but only if they replace a less effective keyword, as per AuthorImprints.
• Focus on specific keywords (e.g., "ecommerce marketing") over generic ones (e.g., "business," "marketing") to avoid competition with larger, established books.
• Note that keyword optimization has limited lasting effect if the book doesn’t sell, as Amazon’s A9 algorithm prioritizes sales, emphasizing the need for a marketable book.