How Many Categories Can I Choose For My Book On Amazon KDP?
How Many Categories Can I Choose For My Book On Amazon KDP?
You can choose three (3) on the official form you fill out when you upload your book and up to 8 if you email Amazon KDP directly. That makes 10 total categories. You used to be able to have two official categories and could email Amazon to add up to 8 more. As of May 2023 that is no longer the case and 3 categories is the max allowed.
The Three Categories
The three categories are chosen when you upload your book.
You are given a form to fill out the book details. 11 or 12 sections in to the form is where you choose three categories.
In the following example the categories have already been chosen. In this case, I could edit the categories from this same menu if I needed to in a pinch.
What Is Full Category Path?
Update 9/17/2023 This section is no longer strictly accurate as the way categories are chosen changed as of May 2023. Now categories and subcategories are listed in an easy to navigate drop down menu that can be used with just a few clicks.
Before, you could only choose two categories up front, but then you could email amazon with 8 more categories. The problem was you needed know the full category path and you had to write it as a string which I explain in this article.
For now I am going to keep this information on this article because Amazon still uses this method to categorize books. It is relevant and important to take note of. However, they have made the process far more user friendly with just a few clicks instead so it is not particularly necessary to know the next part.
Ok this is where it starts to get a little complicated, so take it a book at a time.
The full category path is called a string and it looks like this…
Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Literary Fiction
The above string is how you list your book in different categories on Amazon. It must be exact. When you have your string place it under “Categories to be added” or “Categories to be removed”.
How To Find Your Category Path
You can find this information by researching books in your niche. Look at the top left of the screen and you will see the string.
The String is: Books>Children’s Books>Growing Up & Facts of Life
You can also do this by looking at the product description and clicking on the category
Then look at the top of the left menu bar.
String: Books > Children’s Books > Cars Trains & Things That Go > Cars &Trucks;
It takes a little work but you can do it!!
If you are interested in purchasing this book Click Here.
Kindle Categories VS Paperback Categories
Just make a little note of the following.
Kindle strings start with the category “Kindle”.
Paperback books start with the category “Books”.
The example shown in this article is a paperback book. Let’s look at that string again…
Books>Children’s Books>Growing Up & Facts of Life
One last note a book can be a paperback book and on kindle. Amazon shows both in the product details section. This can get kinda confusing so read carefully.
How Many Categories Of Books Are There On Amazon?
Categories on Amazon include fiction, non-fiction, romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, self-help, history, and so many more.
Fair waring, the number of categories and subcategories can change over time as Amazon updates its website and adds new categories to accommodate evolving literary trends and reader preferences.
There are currently over 16,000 categories.
What Are The Most Popular Book Categories On Amazon?
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to tell what the most popular book categories are is to look and research on the Best Sellers Chart (for books).
What Are Amazon Book Subcategories?
Subcategories are more specific divisions or subsets within a broader category or genre. They are used to further classify and organize items, such as books on Amazon, into more specialized topics or themes.
Subcategories help customers navigate and find products that match their specific interests and preferences within a larger category.
For example, if you consider the broad category of “Fiction,” there are numerous subcategories that fall under it, including “Mystery, Thriller & Suspense,” “Science Fiction & Fantasy,” “Romance,” and so on. Each of these subcategories focuses on a particular type or theme of fiction, making it easier for readers to explore and discover books that align with their preferred genres or topics.
In essence, subcategories are like smaller sections or niches within a larger bookstore, allowing for a more refined and tailored browsing experience for customers.
They are a way to categorize and classify books or products into specific genres, themes, or subject matters to enhance discoverability and make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
Some Examples
- Fiction Subcategories:
- Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Romance
- Literary Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Women’s Fiction
- Crime Fiction
- Fantasy Adventure
- Dystopian Fiction
- Horror
- Non-Fiction Subcategories:
- Self-Help
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Health & Wellness
- Business & Money
- History
- Science
- Travel
- Cookbooks
- Parenting & Relationships
- Politics & Social Sciences
- Children’s and Young Adult Subcategories:
- Picture Books
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult Romance
- Fantasy & Magic for Children
- Teen & Young Adult Mysteries & Thrillers
- Science and Technology Subcategories:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Self-Help and Personal Development Subcategories:
- Self-Esteem
- Motivation & Inspiration
- Time Management
- Personal Finance
- Meditation & Stress Management
- Cooking, Food, and Wine Subcategories:
- International Cooking
- Baking
- Vegetarian & Vegan
- Wine Tasting
- Special Diet Cooking
Why do Amazon Book Categories Matter For Authors?
How To Choose The Best Book Categories On Amazon
Choosing the best book categories on Amazon is an important step in marketing and selling your book effectively on the platform. Proper categorization can help your book reach its target audience and improve its visibility.
Research Your Genre and Audience: Start by understanding your book’s genre and target audience. Who is your ideal reader, and what type of books do they typically enjoy? Knowing your niche will help you narrow down your category choices.
Check Amazon’s Category Tree: Amazon has a hierarchical category structure. Begin by exploring Amazon’s Kindle Store or Books section to see the various categories and subcategories available. You can do this by visiting the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) dashboard if you’re a self-published author or by browsing the Amazon website.
Consider Competition and Popularity: Look at the competition within each category. You want to choose categories that have a reasonable number of books but are not overly saturated with competition. It’s often easier to rank well in a less competitive subcategory.
Think About Cross-Categories: Sometimes, a book can fit into more than one category. Consider choosing two categories that are relevant to your book. This can increase your book’s visibility.
Use Keywords and Phrases: Think about the keywords and phrases that potential readers might use when searching for books like yours. These keywords can help you find relevant categories. You can also use these keywords in your book’s title, subtitle, and description to improve discoverability.
Analyze Bestsellers: Look at the books that are currently bestsellers in your genre or niche. Check which categories they are listed in. While you shouldn’t copy their choices directly, this can give you insights into effective category selection.
Consider Seasonal or Event-Related Categories: If your book has a seasonal or event-related theme, such as a Christmas romance or a Halloween mystery, consider categorizing it accordingly during the relevant time of year.
Stay Within Amazon’s Guidelines: Make sure your book genuinely fits the chosen categories. Amazon has rules against misclassifying books in irrelevant categories, so choose categories that accurately represent your book’s content.
Experiment and Monitor: You can experiment with different categories over time and see which ones yield the best results in terms of visibility and sales. Amazon allows you to change your book’s categories periodically.
Seek Professional Advice: If you’re unsure about category selection, consider seeking advice from a literary agent, publisher, or marketing expert with experience in your genre.
Remember that category selection can impact your book’s discoverability, so it’s an important decision. Take the time to research and choose the best categories that align with your book’s content and target audience.
Tools For Choosing Better Amazon Book Categories
Conclusion
I believe that Amazon is an amazing place not only because you get to buy so much cool stuff at a great price but the setup, of how you can make a good living through their affiliate programs, selling your own books, etc…
I have heard so many success stories when using amazon. Thanks again so much for and informative.
This is a great help for listing books on Amazon. I have been considering it for awhile, but the complex set up has me a bit confused. This helps a lot to clarify the KDP Categories. Anything that I would eventually publish, would be a paperback book, so this is perfect. It helps me a lot! Thank you
Wow, you gave us here, pretty in-depth manual on KDP with Amazon. Great to know there are more categories we can choose from. I haven’t started doing it yet, but I really think it can be the right option for me. I am still focusing on Affiliate Marketing mostly. Could you compare it and what would you recommend is better way to earn money online? AM or KDP?
They are both so different it would be difficult to choose one over the other. Neither is one is easier than the other.
If you have time do both! You could always write a book about Affiliate marketing. Possibilities are endless! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this excellent visual guide for choosing categories for books on Amazon KDP. The step-by-step foramt is really helpful and very easy to follow.
It is good to know that one can select a total of 10 categories – 2 on the form and 8 mailed in. Wonder why they do that though and not have all 10 filled in on the form? This would be a lot simpler.
Ceci
Glad to know we could be of some help! It certainly would be a lot simpler if they let you choose all in one go!