The metadata you enter when you set up a new book on KDP decides how readers find it, and most of it is easy to get wrong in ways you will not notice until sales are flat. When you set up KDP for a new book, three fields do the discovery work: seven keyword slots, three categories, and the series fields. This guide covers how each one actually works in 2026 so you fill them in with intent rather than guesswork.
The seven keyword slots
KDP gives you seven keyword fields, each up to 50 characters, and each one holds a whole phrase rather than a single word. “1920s murder mystery female detective” is one valid entry, not four. Use the phrases a real reader would type into the Amazon search bar, and let the search bar’s autocomplete show you what people actually search. Do not repeat words already in your title, subtitle, or categories, because those are already indexed. Spend all seven slots. Empty slots are discovery you gave away.
The three categories
You choose three categories when you set the book up, and they place your book where readers browse. With only three slots, balance them. Pick one best-fit niche category where you could realistically earn a bestseller badge, one complementary category that reaches a different reader angle, and one slightly broader category for algorithmic reach. The more specific the subcategory, the easier it is to rank, because ranking first in a tight niche beats ranking five-thousandth in a broad one. You can request additional or more specific categories through KDP support after publishing if the ones you need are not offered in the setup list.
The series fields
If the book is part of a series, enter the series name and its volume number during setup. This groups your books together on Amazon and helps readers find the rest of the set from any one title. Every book keeps its own listing and its own metadata; the series fields only link them. Enter the series name identically across every book, because a mismatched name (a stray “The” or a different spelling) breaks the grouping.
What to Watch Out For
Wasting keywords on your own title. Words already in your title, subtitle, and categories are indexed. Repeating them in the keyword slots spends a slot on a term you already rank for. Use the slots for phrases that are not anywhere else in your metadata.
Choosing categories that are too broad. A broad category feels safer but buries you. A specific subcategory is where a new book can actually earn a visible rank. Go narrow on at least one.
Inconsistent series names. The series grouping only works if the name matches exactly across every book. Decide the exact series name once and reuse it verbatim.
What comes next
Once your book is set up and live, the next step is getting the buy link right for your campaign. See How to Share Your Book’s Buy Links Correctly. If you are moving a title onto KDP from another platform, How to Move a Book from IngramSpark to KDP covers what to check first. The Author Onboarding Bootcamp has the full setup sequence.
For more detail, visit KDP’s help on categories and keywords.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many keywords and categories does KDP allow?
Seven keyword phrases, each up to 50 characters, and three categories chosen during setup. You can ask KDP support for additional or more specific categories after publishing.
Should I repeat my title words in the keywords?
No. Your title, subtitle, and categories are already indexed for search. Use the seven keyword slots for phrases that are not already in that metadata, so each slot adds new discovery.
How do I pick categories that actually help?
Balance three: one specific niche where you could earn a bestseller badge, one complementary category for a different reader, and one broader category for reach. Specific beats broad, because ranking is easier in a tight subcategory.
What do the series fields do?
They group the books in a series on Amazon so readers can find the whole set. Each book keeps its own listing. Enter the series name identically on every book, or the grouping breaks.
Frequently asked questions
How many keywords and categories does KDP allow?
Seven keyword phrases, each up to 50 characters, and three categories chosen during setup. You can ask KDP support for additional or more specific categories after publishing.
Should I repeat my title words in the keywords?
No. Your title, subtitle, and categories are already indexed for search. Use the seven keyword slots for phrases that are not already in that metadata, so each slot adds new discovery.
How do I pick categories that actually help?
Balance three: one specific niche where you could earn a bestseller badge, one complementary category for a different reader, and one broader category for reach. Specific beats broad, because ranking is easier in a tight subcategory.
What do the series fields do?
They group the books in a series on Amazon so readers can find the whole set. Each book keeps its own listing. Enter the series name identically on every book, or the grouping breaks.