I have been WAITING for these answers! I have been trying KDP for roughly three years and no online influencer or coach type person has been able to explain all of the points Dave has covered here AND the "why"-s. This is music to my ears. Seriously answered some questions I have been like "Yeah, but....huh??" about from watching other KDP keyword-strategy videos!
Publisher Rocket often shows "better" keywords (way better ranking green/green) that have terms like "book" "kindle" "novel" in it but Amazon says not to use those words. Do you use them or not? Eg. "thought provoking book" ranks way better than just "thought provoking". Do we just drop the "book" from the keyword phrase?
The way to look at this is as follows : 1. Rocket shows you what people type into Amazon 2. Granted many many shoppers add things like Book or Kindle to their term, as you've pointed out 3. Granted, Amazon doesn't allow us to type in things like Kindle or Book in our 7 Keyword boxes. However, luckily Amazon doesn't allow any other authors to do that as well. 4. Therefore, the best way forward is to combine them all when you are looking for target keywrods> Example: Let's say the target keyword is "Litrpg". I would look at the data on LitRPG book, LitRPG kindle and LitRPG Novel, and combine them as just LitRPG. Because books that rank for "LitRPG" also rank for those other terms, even though they didn't type those "kindle" or "novel" as a target keyword prhase. Hope that helps.
@@Kindlepreneur Thanks Dave! That does make sense, but then when we look up the data on Rocket should we bother typing in the words we shouldn't be using like book or Novel? Because LitRPG on it's own may not be a good keyword because it's too broad and competition is too steep.
Great info, Dave. Looks like I have a lot of work to do for my 25 books, but getting the indexing and ranking better makes it worth it. Sales here I come!
So useful, specific, easy to follow instructions, thank you! I love Publisher Rocket and appreciate your ongoing support through videos and articles greatly
Question: In the category-specific section using Rocket, once you go into the categories and choose to see the keywords, does Rocket rank these in order? For example, the list at 8:34 in the video. Are those ranked in order for that category or are they a random listing of keywords associated with that category?
Thank you for your great explanation on how to better index, rank, and select keyword phrases. I have Publisher Rocket but still get a little overwhelmed on what to choose. This video got me back on track. As well, I really appreciate the way you explained using sections for the 7 keyword boxes. It was perfect timing too, since I uploaded a couple new books in KDP last night and planned to use Publisher Rocket today to figure out my categories and keywords. Thank you!
I got several extra categories from keywords on day 0 with no sales at all. It put me in cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic when I was only expecting to get into dystopian. At the same time, I got all three main categories I selected. I think this can be a small advantage of choosing a ton of keywords, which is what I did.
Oh my gosh Dave, this whole thing with the 50 characters and (then they were called) “long-tail” keywords was a big deal when I met you in 2015!! You are as terrific as always.
This is super helpful! I have the Publisher Rocket tool and am using the keyword search feature. I just watched your latest video with the updates Amazon made and after watching that I was wondering if I should leave the word "books" out of my phrase. On your first example, would you leave the word books out of "romance fantasy books for adults" or just leave it in? I'm a little conflicted with what to do.
This is great. I've struggled quite a bit with phrases for my historical novel that have multiple ways of being written. In particular, WW2, WWII, World War 2, World War II, World War Two, Second World War - do you suggest I place as many of those combinations in a single keyword box? (e.g., ww2 WWII second world war ii)
Hi Dave. Once Amazon removes me from a category, how do I get back into it, just add the appropriate keywords in one or more of the 7 boxes? Or am I "blacklisted" from that category?
Do keywords from different blocks also get mashed together? Like if I use Fiction book in one series and series in another, will they get matched up? Great information too!!!
@@Kindlepreneur Isn't this the opposite of what your article "7 Kindle Keywords: Use All 50 Characters or Not?" says, though? Are you saying that the results of that experiment no longer apply? Thanks.
@@VesnaVKno. What my experiment from that article says is that words in A box get used together. What is being talked about above is words from OTHER boxes being smashed together which they aren’t.
It would be helpful if you took a novel (actual or imaginary) and did the seven boxes for that book. The example is a little confusing because the seven boxes are filled in randomly and don't point to a specific book.
Great info! I write a series similar to Jack Reacher books and rank well in Private Investigator mysteries, Assassination thrillers, and Military Thrillers. Is there a way to discover what keywords similar books are using with Rocket?
Question, isn't it redundant and a waste of keyword space to repeat the same keywords, like you did with 'romance' on the first three boxes? My understanding was that you put longtail keywords in these boxes. Keywords that are not already in your title or subtitle.
Your guidance is impeccable! I wanted to ask what are your thoughts on the Direct ISBN website? Generally we are told to purchase our own ISBN; however, I wanted to know if you would be able to provide more insight on this particular website that is currently offering ISBN numbers for authors. Thank you!
i love publisher rocket !! it’s 🔥 and the search volume is my favorite part. as it literally tells you if your keyword has a high search demand AKA use it or not. search volume is the #1 factor when determining if one should upload that keyword into their book title, subtitle, description, etc right?
Thank you very much! This is precious! I have an opposite question, however, if you don't mind. Imagine my book belongs to a certain category but I DO NOT want my book to be listed in that particular category because it's too busy with bestselling books and my book will be ranked really low in it. Before, I simply didn't select it in Categories, but I filled my keywords with that particular category-related keywords to ensure the reader found it. But if keywords decide which category the book's in... what do I do? How can I make my book searchable in a certain category without being actually listed in it by Amazon? Or does it even make any difference? Maybe I'm making much fuss about nothing? Thank you very much!
Based on your question - If you have selected categories, and you have used the necessary keywords for that category, you should stay in that category. However, that doesn't stop Amazon from adding more categories to your book. There is a chance they add you to categories you don't want to be in. Sadly, there is no way to cull that out. So, in essence, this lesson here at least helps you to ensure you stay in the categories you select, but how you ensure they don't add you to others....that's a bit more complicated. I just wish they had the form you could fill out like they used to.
Hi Dave, thank you very much for these valuable tips you give us! I have a question: you suggest do not repeat same words of title, but in boxes n.1-2-3 you suggest to put relevant phrases, better if these have high search volume. And if it’s similar? For example I have the title “CrossFit for men over 40” and a one good keyword is “gifts for men over 40”, you suggest to put this anyway?
Question for you on a previous video I can't find, lol. I thought you said you can have a business and personal KDP account? Is that true or did you mean author page? I just created an LLC and have a personal amazon account I use to buy things. I know they are supposed to be separate but can you have an author page in your personal account AND one under your LLC? Can you please direct me to where I can find that information? Thanks so much! Regarding this video, I have heard that SEO is going to be a thing of the past that SGE is the new thing. Do you know how that will affect indie authors and what we can do about it? Thank you!
In watching this video, I see that for the 7 keywords in a book's detail page, you state that the 1st 3 boxes in the 1st column are the ones that require the specific phrases. I had always thought that the specific phrases should be in the 1st 2 boxes of the 1st column and the 1st box of the second column. Am I wrong?
Thanks so much Dave! Quick question...regarding the keywords suggested in PR that are aimed at reinforcing your chosen categories, I looked through those for my first choice category and only 1 really, had decent searches (pretty much all were in the red). So despite that, would you still put in some keywords listed that will help the book stick in the category selected? Thank you!
Really great video. Thank you for sharing! But what does "Good ranking" really mean? Considering how many books are on Amazon? Is it being top 10? Or top 100?
Hi, great advice mate that was fantastic bit of info thank you for this! just a question tho, could i sell PLR ebooks on amazon KDP or on KDP it has to be my own mateireal? take care and have a great day all!
Hello Dave, I would like to buy Publisher Rocket but unfortunately I don’t have a laptop, only an IPad. Will you make a Publisher Rocket for Apple IPADs?
Very strong and useful content as ever. Thanks! Does my title have to be fully (re)published for Rocket to make the right comparisons? That is, if I just changed my keywords, do I have to wait for publication to finish before using Rocket?
No - if you have't publishedyet, Rocket is excellent and helping you choose your keywords. After its published, you can use it again to see how amazon is treating the book and make adjustments.
Publisher Rocket looks like a nice tool ... but not in my budget. Oh well. I suspect there isn't actually a category for what I write anyway. Thanks for the info.
I had a question though about the 7 KDP keywords we enter into our listing. Let me give you an example. if my keywords for my book are (I'll use a coloring book as an example as it's the same principle): art coloring book art coloring books for adults relaxing patterns coloring book pattern coloring books for adults mindful coloring book stress relief coloring book stress relief coloring book for adults relaxing coloring book Should I be using the word coloring and book in these keywords or is it not necessary to use them? Should the word book ever be used?
I'm confused...for the specific phrase boxes #1 #2 #3 you said "Start w/phrase you specifically want to index and rank for...descriptive, but not broad like romance, but describes the book." Then your example above shows "romance" in all three of the first boxes?
No no...in 1, 2 and 3 are 'phrases' that you specifically want to rank for...not individual words grouped together. So, the first box is the phrase "romance fantasy books for adults" and etc. in the remaining boxes.
@@ErickMertz For a book in a series - yes. I use my best keyword phrases from book one in the rest, and for the rest of the remaining blocks I'll do something different. Here is an article of mine on this tactic: kindlepreneur.com/how-to-change-your-kindle-keywords/
No commas? That's news to me. I was originally told commas were essential. Dave can you explain why no commas and if commas are present, is that a bad thing?
I purchased publisher rocket several years ago. I am trying to log in and it will not accept my email and is asking for a license number. How can I retrieve my license number?. Thank you.
If KDP moves your book to a different category, could that be a better category - maybe their computer decided it would be better? I have a hard enough time deciding on a category let alone keywords.
I really appreciate this Dave. I would really appreciate if I can get a publisher rocker for myself. Can you maybe, do a little competition or something like a giveaway to win a publisher rocket. It will really go a great deal for me coz I don't plan on loosing. Thank you 🙂
So appreciate the transparency and generosity of Kindlepreneur and Publisher Rocket. Thank you!
Thanks and I appreciate your kind words. That totally made my night to read :)
I have been WAITING for these answers! I have been trying KDP for roughly three years and no online influencer or coach type person has been able to explain all of the points Dave has covered here AND the "why"-s. This is music to my ears. Seriously answered some questions I have been like "Yeah, but....huh??" about from watching other KDP keyword-strategy videos!
Your advice and your tools are fantastic! You're the single best resource for indie authors.
Wow, thank you!
Publisher Rocket often shows "better" keywords (way better ranking green/green) that have terms like "book" "kindle" "novel" in it but Amazon says not to use those words. Do you use them or not? Eg. "thought provoking book" ranks way better than just "thought provoking". Do we just drop the "book" from the keyword phrase?
The way to look at this is as follows :
1. Rocket shows you what people type into Amazon
2. Granted many many shoppers add things like Book or Kindle to their term, as you've pointed out
3. Granted, Amazon doesn't allow us to type in things like Kindle or Book in our 7 Keyword boxes. However, luckily Amazon doesn't allow any other authors to do that as well.
4. Therefore, the best way forward is to combine them all when you are looking for target keywrods>
Example: Let's say the target keyword is "Litrpg". I would look at the data on LitRPG book, LitRPG kindle and LitRPG Novel, and combine them as just LitRPG. Because books that rank for "LitRPG" also rank for those other terms, even though they didn't type those "kindle" or "novel" as a target keyword prhase. Hope that helps.
@@Kindlepreneur Thanks Dave! That does make sense, but then when we look up the data on Rocket should we bother typing in the words we shouldn't be using like book or Novel? Because LitRPG on it's own may not be a good keyword because it's too broad and competition is too steep.
@@ChristinaThiessenAuthor No problem and glad to help. As for me, I do. It helps me see the bigger picture :)
Great info, Dave. Looks like I have a lot of work to do for my 25 books, but getting the indexing and ranking better makes it worth it. Sales here I come!
Ugh, what synchronicity! I set yesterday to work on my keywords... Dave, thankyouverymuccchh for this video! 🙏👍😎
Awe snap...super cool
So useful, specific, easy to follow instructions, thank you! I love Publisher Rocket and appreciate your ongoing support through videos and articles greatly
Question: In the category-specific section using Rocket, once you go into the categories and choose to see the keywords, does Rocket rank these in order? For example, the list at 8:34 in the video. Are those ranked in order for that category or are they a random listing of keywords associated with that category?
Just published my first book and this helped me get things straight!
Thank you for your great explanation on how to better index, rank, and select keyword phrases. I have Publisher Rocket but still get a little overwhelmed on what to choose. This video got me back on track. As well, I really appreciate the way you explained using sections for the 7 keyword boxes. It was perfect timing too, since I uploaded a couple new books in KDP last night and planned to use Publisher Rocket today to figure out my categories and keywords. Thank you!
Wow man this is awesome. You've answered some nagging questions I had about how Amazon combines the words.
Going to publish in the next 2 weeks this is a huge help!
I got several extra categories from keywords on day 0 with no sales at all. It put me in cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic when I was only expecting to get into dystopian. At the same time, I got all three main categories I selected. I think this can be a small advantage of choosing a ton of keywords, which is what I did.
Thanks for displaying the keyword slots set up. I'm gonna try to rearrange my niche to the top three slots.
Thank you, Dave, this is just essential knowledge, even if I have to rewatch this more than a few times.
Great info as always Dave - thanks for running through it so clearly
Oh my gosh Dave, this whole thing with the 50 characters and (then they were called) “long-tail” keywords was a big deal when I met you in 2015!! You are as terrific as always.
Awesome video, thanks so much Dave!
Thanks. Great information for filling in the 7 KDP boxes.
Fantastic video! I'm sure this will help a lot of people; including myself. Thanks Dave!
This is super helpful! I have the Publisher Rocket tool and am using the keyword search feature. I just watched your latest video with the updates Amazon made and after watching that I was wondering if I should leave the word "books" out of my phrase. On your first example, would you leave the word books out of "romance fantasy books for adults" or just leave it in? I'm a little conflicted with what to do.
Thanks for the clear and concise explanation!
Thanks so much for the update. Super helpful! Love Publisher Rocket.
So direct and well understood, Thanks Dave
Excellent content. Very helpful. I’m getting ready to upload my first book. Yay super helpful. Thank you.
I love you!! Thank you so much for the clarity
Thanks for sharing! Does this work the same for public domain books? Logic suggests it would, but would really appreciate your input on that!
This is great. I've struggled quite a bit with phrases for my historical novel that have multiple ways of being written. In particular, WW2, WWII, World War 2, World War II, World War Two, Second World War - do you suggest I place as many of those combinations in a single keyword box? (e.g., ww2 WWII second world war ii)
Hi Dave. Once Amazon removes me from a category, how do I get back into it, just add the appropriate keywords in one or more of the 7 boxes? Or am I "blacklisted" from that category?
Do keywords from different blocks also get mashed together? Like if I use Fiction book in one series and series in another, will they get matched up?
Great information too!!!
I have the same question.
No, the amazon matched the phrases within one box.
Generally, our data shows no.
@@Kindlepreneur Isn't this the opposite of what your article "7 Kindle Keywords: Use All 50 Characters or Not?" says, though? Are you saying that the results of that experiment no longer apply? Thanks.
@@VesnaVKno. What my experiment from that article says is that words in A box get used together. What is being talked about above is words from OTHER boxes being smashed together which they aren’t.
Thanks for this.
Please what can you say about book that's keep blocking
It would be helpful if you took a novel (actual or imaginary) and did the seven boxes for that book. The example is a little confusing because the seven boxes are filled in randomly and don't point to a specific book.
Thank you so much! I just republished my debut novel and this really help. 😁
Thank you for this! how often do you suggest we review and change our keywords? Is there a downside to changing monthly, due to the indexing?
Brilliant, thanks so much Dave! Super helpful.
Love this, thank you. Gotta go refresh my keywords.
THANK YOU so much! The best explanation EVER!
Great info! I write a series similar to Jack Reacher books and rank well in Private Investigator mysteries, Assassination thrillers, and Military Thrillers. Is there a way to discover what keywords similar books are using with Rocket?
Question, isn't it redundant and a waste of keyword space to repeat the same keywords, like you did with 'romance' on the first three boxes? My understanding was that you put longtail keywords in these boxes. Keywords that are not already in your title or subtitle.
Your guidance is impeccable! I wanted to ask what are your thoughts on the Direct ISBN website? Generally we are told to purchase our own ISBN; however, I wanted to know if you would be able to provide more insight on this particular website that is currently offering ISBN numbers for authors. Thank you!
i love publisher rocket !! it’s 🔥 and the search volume is my favorite part. as it literally tells you if your keyword has a high search demand AKA use it or not. search volume is the #1 factor when determining if one should upload that keyword into their book title, subtitle, description, etc right?
Thank you very much! This is precious!
I have an opposite question, however, if you don't mind. Imagine my book belongs to a certain category but I DO NOT want my book to be listed in that particular category because it's too busy with bestselling books and my book will be ranked really low in it. Before, I simply didn't select it in Categories, but I filled my keywords with that particular category-related keywords to ensure the reader found it. But if keywords decide which category the book's in... what do I do? How can I make my book searchable in a certain category without being actually listed in it by Amazon? Or does it even make any difference? Maybe I'm making much fuss about nothing?
Thank you very much!
Based on your question - If you have selected categories, and you have used the necessary keywords for that category, you should stay in that category. However, that doesn't stop Amazon from adding more categories to your book. There is a chance they add you to categories you don't want to be in. Sadly, there is no way to cull that out.
So, in essence, this lesson here at least helps you to ensure you stay in the categories you select, but how you ensure they don't add you to others....that's a bit more complicated. I just wish they had the form you could fill out like they used to.
@@Kindlepreneur THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! 💖💖💖
Hi Dave, thank you very much for these valuable tips you give us!
I have a question: you suggest do not repeat same words of title, but in boxes n.1-2-3 you suggest to put relevant phrases, better if these have high search volume. And if it’s similar?
For example I have the title “CrossFit for men over 40” and a one good keyword is “gifts for men over 40”, you suggest to put this anyway?
Question for you on a previous video I can't find, lol.
I thought you said you can have a business and personal KDP account? Is that true or did you mean author page? I just created an LLC and have a personal amazon account I use to buy things. I know they are supposed to be separate but can you have an author page in your personal account AND one under your LLC? Can you please direct me to where I can find that information? Thanks so much!
Regarding this video, I have heard that SEO is going to be a thing of the past that SGE is the new thing. Do you know how that will affect indie authors and what we can do about it?
Thank you!
In watching this video, I see that for the 7 keywords in a book's detail page, you state that the 1st 3 boxes in the 1st column are the ones that require the specific phrases. I had always thought that the specific phrases should be in the 1st 2 boxes of the 1st column and the 1st box of the second column. Am I wrong?
Incredible advice. I always learn so much from you. Thanks many times over.
Glad to hear it!
Thank you so much! It‘s so helpful.
Thanks so much Dave!
Quick question...regarding the keywords suggested in PR that are aimed at reinforcing your chosen categories, I looked through those for my first choice category and only 1 really, had decent searches (pretty much all were in the red). So despite that, would you still put in some keywords listed that will help the book stick in the category selected? Thank you!
Thank you Dave, what a useful video
Really great video. Thank you for sharing! But what does "Good ranking" really mean? Considering how many books are on Amazon? Is it being top 10? Or top 100?
Hi, great advice mate that was fantastic bit of info thank you for this! just a question tho, could i sell PLR ebooks on amazon KDP or on KDP it has to be my own mateireal? take care and have a great day all!
I wrote motivation book sir
Please provide good keywords
and which category choose sir?
A question - do I understand correctly that the first 3 boxes should have your primary keyword phrase repeated in EACH of the 3 boxes?
Hello Dave, I would like to buy Publisher Rocket but unfortunately I don’t have a laptop, only an IPad. Will you make a Publisher Rocket for Apple IPADs?
Does this work for updating keywords on existing published books, or only when you're publishing new books?
Very strong and useful content as ever. Thanks! Does my title have to be fully (re)published for Rocket to make the right comparisons? That is, if I just changed my keywords, do I have to wait for publication to finish before using Rocket?
No - if you have't publishedyet, Rocket is excellent and helping you choose your keywords. After its published, you can use it again to see how amazon is treating the book and make adjustments.
Thanks Dave and publisher rocket. Will update the new updated 7 boxes keywords for my next book!
Awesome and sounds good!
Publisher Rocket looks like a nice tool ... but not in my budget. Oh well. I suspect there isn't actually a category for what I write anyway. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
You bet!
Thank you for your video. It's much useful. Thanks again. 👍😄
Thank you for the update! Now to go through my books 😅
Glad to have helped.
Where/how can I hire a keyword and category expert to update my books on Amazon?
Great video Dave!
Question: Can I go back and change my keywords now that I have publisher rocket and it will be reindexed?
Yes you can and yes it will
Thank you, great content !
Thank you so so much!
Thank you very much for this enlightening video Dave.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you
Tell me, please, should prepositions and articles be excluded from keywords?
Thanks for your generosity
Is putting negative words in your keywords risky? If I put "no romance fantasy," is Amazon going to mix-n-match me into "no fantasy" also?
Great insights, thanks!
Absolutely and glad to help :)
Simple and easy to understand :) Thanks!
I had a question though about the 7 KDP keywords we enter into our listing.
Let me give you an example. if my keywords for my book are (I'll use a coloring book as an example as it's the same principle):
art coloring book
art coloring books for adults
relaxing patterns coloring book
pattern coloring books for adults
mindful coloring book
stress relief coloring book
stress relief coloring book for adults
relaxing coloring book
Should I be using the word coloring and book in these keywords or is it not necessary to use them?
Should the word book ever be used?
You are amazingly knowledgeable.
Awe shucks...thanks!
Will use publisher rocket to double check those keywords!
Is there much in the way of horror categories? I've heard it's not as populated as some of the other genres?
Thank you
Thank you, that was so helpful
Thank you for the information.
We need this in Spain. Pleeeeaseeeee!
I'm confused...for the specific phrase boxes #1 #2 #3 you said "Start w/phrase you specifically want to index and rank for...descriptive, but not broad like romance, but describes the book." Then your example above shows "romance" in all three of the first boxes?
No no...in 1, 2 and 3 are 'phrases' that you specifically want to rank for...not individual words grouped together. So, the first box is the phrase "romance fantasy books for adults" and etc. in the remaining boxes.
@@Kindlepreneur OK, I think I see the difference now. Important word here being "phrases" I got it .Thank you Dave, you're the best!
I need this in Spain, please, please, please. Thanks for all :)
Does this strategy work when you update a listing after publication?
Yes it does.
@@Kindlepreneur Thank you... one more, does it help to duplicate keywords for books in a series?
@@ErickMertz For a book in a series - yes. I use my best keyword phrases from book one in the rest, and for the rest of the remaining blocks I'll do something different. Here is an article of mine on this tactic: kindlepreneur.com/how-to-change-your-kindle-keywords/
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
I still get my books block even after not filling keywords at all. Please can someone help me. What's going on?
What about publishers like us who can't afford publisher Rocket ?😢
You gotta put money in to get money out. This is a worthwhile investment because categories and keywords are essential to sales.
No commas? That's news to me. I was originally told commas were essential. Dave can you explain why no commas and if commas are present, is that a bad thing?
If you use commas, it reduces the ability for Amazon to do the combination of words. So, you reduce the number of possible indexes.
Well done!
Ken! What's up buddy. Good to see you - and glad you liked the video :)
Thank you Dave :)
You bet :)
Well, that's top-notch!
great thanks for the update! :)
Absolutely!
How can I get Amazon publisher rocket premium @ cheaper price pls
I thought you cannot have 'BOOK' in the keywords?
Dave, you're the man. Thank you for this video.
You bet!
great information but you use the word Romance quite a number of times.. doesn't that seem excessive and repetitive?
G O L D E N !
I purchased publisher rocket several years ago. I am trying to log in and it will not accept my email and is asking for a license number. How can I retrieve my license number?. Thank you.
If KDP moves your book to a different category, could that be a better category - maybe their computer decided it would be better? I have a hard enough time deciding on a category let alone keywords.
I really appreciate this Dave. I would really appreciate if I can get a publisher rocker for myself. Can you maybe, do a little competition or something like a giveaway to win a publisher rocket. It will really go a great deal for me coz I don't plan on loosing. Thank you 🙂