How do I choose keywords and categories for my book?
- Categories and keywords are how readers discover books on retailers.
- Specific, less-crowded categories are easier to rank and chart in.
- Keywords should mirror real reader search phrases, not plot summary.
- Most platforms allow several keyword slots — use all of them.
- Both are adjustable, so you can test and refine after launch.
Choose categories where your book can realistically rank — narrower, well-matched subcategories beat broad, crowded ones, because charting in a smaller category earns visibility a huge one never will. For keywords, use the phrases readers actually type (tropes, themes, comparable styles) rather than describing your plot, and fill every available slot. Both are editable, so treat your first choices as a starting point to test and refine.
Chapter i·Why it matters
Discovery on retailers is largely driven by categories and keywords, and authors routinely waste them — choosing categories so broad they never chart and keywords that describe the book to themselves rather than matching reader searches. Picking specific categories and search-aligned keywords is one of the highest-leverage, lowest-cost moves in self-publishing, and getting it right materially affects how many readers ever see the book.
Chapter ii·What to include
- Specific subcategories your book can realistically rank in.
- Keywords drawn from real reader search phrases.
- Tropes, themes, and comparable styles as keyword sources.
- Every available keyword slot filled.
- A check of where comparable books are categorized.
- A plan to test and adjust both after launch.
Chapter iii·Example
A cozy-mystery author skips the giant "Mystery" category for two specific ones — "Cozy Animal Mystery" and "Culinary Mystery" — where her book quickly charts. For keywords she uses phrases readers search ("small town cozy mystery," "cat detective") instead of her plot summary, fills all seven slots, and revisits them a month in.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom's Sell studio keeps your categories and keywords beside your listing, so discovery is planned, not left to chance.
See the Sell studio