7 Backend Keywords That Actually Work on Amazon KDP
Key Takeaways
- Amazon's algorithm automatically combines your backend keywords (no commas needed)
- Do not repeat keywords from your Title or Subtitle in the 7 backend fields
- Search volume sweet spot: 200-800 monthly searches with <500 competitors
- Use phrase-matching in your subtitle to gain organic traction for high-intent terms
Most authors waste their backend keywords. Here's how to use all 350 characters effectively to maximize your book's discoverability.
The Basics: 7 Fields × 50 Characters
Amazon gives you 7 keyword fields with 50 characters each—350 total characters of backend keywords. These don't show on your book page but affect search results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using commas
Commas waste characters. Amazon parses words automatically.
Repeating words
Amazon auto-combines keywords. "journal for women" + "journal for men" = wasted space.
Including title words
Amazon already indexes your title. Don't duplicate.
The 7 Keyword Strategies
1. Long-Tail Phrases
Instead of: journal
Use: daily gratitude wellness habit tracker mindfulness
Long-tail phrases target specific searches with less competition. "anxiety workbook for teen girls" beats "anxiety book" every time.
2. Buyer Intent Keywords
Focus on words that indicate purchase intent:
- "best [topic] book 2026"
- "[topic] for beginners guide"
- "[topic] workbook with exercises"
3. Problem-Solution Keywords
Target the problem your book solves:
- "how to overcome [problem]"
- "stop [bad habit] forever"
- "learn [skill] fast"
4. Audience-Specific Keywords
Add demographic qualifiers:
- for teens, for seniors, for busy professionals
- for beginners, advanced, intermediate
- for women, for men, for kids
5. Format Keywords
Describe what readers get:
- workbook, journal, planner, guide
- step by step, exercises, worksheets
- illustrated, large print, audiobook
6. Related Topic Keywords
Include adjacent topics readers might search:
- Productivity book? Add: time management, habits, focus
- Cookbook? Add: meal prep, healthy eating, quick recipes
7. Common Misspellings
People misspell. Capture their searches:
- journel → journal
- recepie → recipe
- begginer → beginner
💡 Generate Keywords Quickly
Enter your topic and get 50+ keyword suggestions instantly.
Open Keyword Suggester →Example: Optimized Keywords
For a productivity journal for women:
Field 1 (48 chars):
daily planner goal setting habit tracker wellness
Field 2 (47 chars):
productivity journal for busy professional women
Field 3 (49 chars):
time management organizer self improvement mindset
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