Frequently Asked Questions About Best Seller Optimization
[su_spoiler title=”Why don’t the categories on Amazon match the categories in KDP?” class=”training-faq”]
The categories on Amazon are browse categories specific to Amazon to allow readers to find your book. Think of these categories like sections in a bookstore (Fiction, History, Business, etc.)
The categories in KDP are BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) codes. These codes are an industry-approved list of standard subjects designed for use in the book trade in the U.S. and English-Speaking Canada. Drilling down to the most specific and appropriate subject ensures your title will be placed in the best possible category on retailer sites.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Should I enroll in KDP Select for a Best Seller Campaign?” class=”training-faq”]
We don’t recommend you enroll your book in KDP Select because that grants exclusive rights to your book to KDP. During the period of exclusivity, you cannot distribute your book digitally anywhere else, including on your website, blogs, etc. (You can’t even give PDF versions of your book away in exchange for an email optin on your website.) However, you can continue to distribute your book in physical format, or in any format other than digital.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Why can’t I set my price to .99?” class=”training-faq”]
The Minimum List Price Requirements for a Kindle Book on KDP are determined by the file size of the book and the royalty option you selected.
35% Royalty Option
$0.99 – Less than 3 megabytes
$1.99 – Greater than 3 megabytes and less than 10 megabytes
$2.99 – Greater than 10 megabytes
70% Royalty Option
$ 2.99 – All file sizes
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Why can’t I add more than 10 authors to a KDP listing?” class=”training-faq”]
By default, the KDP account allows you to list 10 contributors and their titles. To include additional authors for books with multiple authors:
- Add the first 10 authors as contributors.
- Publish the book.
- Once published, Amazon assigns an ASIN number to the book.
- Contact KDP Support with the ASIN number and request the remaining authors be added to the book listing.
See Adding More Than 10 Authors To Kindle Listing for more information.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”How long will it take for my rankings to shaw on amazon after I make my first purchase?” class=”training-faq”]
It can take 12 to 24 hours for your categories and rankings to show after the first purchase from the amazon.com store.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”When should I Prime The Pump?” class=”training-faq”]
We recommend you “prime the pump” with 1 or 2 sales 3-12 hours before your campaign.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”I’ve tried everything and can’t get my targeted category. What should I do?” class=”training-faq”]
Only as a last resort after making your best attempt to optimize the listing yourself, you can contact KDP Support to request category placement.
See Requesting Category Placement from KDP Support for detailed information.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_divider top=”no” style=”double” margin=”25″]
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Seller Campaign Day
[su_spoiler title=”Is it normal for rankings to go up instead of down?” class=”training-faq”]
Rankings can fluctuate throughout the day. Don’t be alarmed if your rankings go up.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”The rankings haven’t updated in hours – what’s wrong?” class=”training-faq”]
Amazon states that their Best Seller lists are updated hourly. However, these updates are NOT IMMEDIATE. It can take 6-8 hours after sales occur for the rankings to update. 25 sales made between 10 and 11 am may not updated until 5:00 or 6:00 pm.
[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”How often do rankings update?” class=”training-faq”]
Amazon rankings typically update every 1-2 hours.
[/su_spoiler]