The right book category can be the difference between being lost in the crowd and becoming a bestseller.
When it comes to selling books on Amazon, most authors focus on writing, editing, and marketing. But there’s one crucial step that many overlook—choosing the right Amazon book categories. Your book’s category determines how easily readers can find it, whether it ranks on bestseller lists, and ultimately, how many copies you sell.
Many authors don’t realize that Amazon allows you to list your book in up to 10 categories (through Kindle Direct Publishing [KDP] support requests), giving you more opportunities to appear in niche bestseller lists. Understanding how to strategically place your book can significantly boost your visibility and sales.
Why Choosing the Right Book Category Matters
Amazon’s search algorithm heavily relies on categories. When readers browse for books, they often start by looking through genres and subgenres that interest them. If your book is in the wrong category:
❌ It may never reach the right audience.
❌ It could get buried under millions of competing titles.
❌ You might miss the chance to become a #1 bestseller in a smaller, less competitive category.
But when you choose the right category, you can:
✔ Increase your book’s discoverability.
✔ Rank higher on Amazon bestseller lists.
✔ Get more organic sales without spending extra on ads.
Understanding Amazon’s Book Categories
Amazon doesn’t just have genres—it has categories and subcategories, some of which are highly specific. A book can be listed under two primary categories when you publish through KDP, but you can later request additional ones.
For example, instead of simply listing your book under “Self-Help”, you might choose:
📌 Self-Help > Personal Transformation
📌 Self-Help > Spiritual Growth
📌 Business & Money > Motivational Management & Leadership
This way, your book will appear in front of the right audience.
How to Find the Best Categories for Your Book
Instead of guessing, use these three strategies to pick the best Amazon categories:
1. Research Top-Performing Books in Your Niche
Before selecting your categories, check where similar books are listed.
👉 Go to Amazon.com and type in keywords related to your book.
👉 Click on top-ranking books and scroll down to the Product Details section.
👉 Note which BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) categories they’re listed in.
If bestselling books in your niche are consistently appearing under certain categories, those may be a good fit for your book as well.
2. Look for Less Competitive Categories
Many new authors aim for broad, high-competition categories like “Business & Money” or “Self-Help”, but these are flooded with established authors. Instead, target subcategories with fewer competitors but still strong demand.
A good trick is to find categories where:
✔ The #1 book ranks above 10,000 in Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank (BSR) – This means there’s decent demand.
✔ The #10 book ranks above 50,000 BSR – This means you won’t need thousands of sales to reach the top 10.
Using this strategy, you can dominate smaller categories rather than getting lost in overcrowded ones.
3. Use Amazon’s Secret Expanded Category Selection
Did you know you’re not limited to just two categories? Amazon allows you to add up to 10 categories by contacting KDP Support.
How to do this:
✔ Go to Amazon KDP Help and click on Contact Us.
✔ Select Amazon Store & Product Detail Page > Update Amazon Categories.
✔ Provide the ASIN of your book and request additional categories.
This tactic helps maximize your exposure across multiple categories and increases your chances of hitting a bestseller list.
How to Change Your Book’s Categories
Already published your book but need better categories? No worries—you can update them!
🔹 Log in to your KDP account.
🔹 Go to your Bookshelf and click on your book.
🔹 Edit the details and choose different primary categories.
🔹 For additional categories, use the KDP Support method mentioned above.
It may take 24–48 hours for changes to reflect, but once updated, your book will be listed under the new categories.
Maximizing Sales with Category Selection
Selecting the right category is just one part of your book marketing strategy. To truly succeed, combine it with:
✅ Keyword Optimization – Use strong, relevant keywords in your book’s title, subtitle, and description.
✅ A Compelling Book Cover – Readers judge books by their covers, so make sure yours stands out.
✅ Engaging Book Description – Convince readers why your book is worth buying.
✅ Effective Pricing Strategy – Experiment with pricing to find the sweet spot for sales.
✅ Reviews and Social Proof – More positive reviews = higher trust and more conversions.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Amazon book categories isn’t just a small detail—it’s a game-changer for your book’s success. By placing your book in strategic categories, you increase its visibility, improve rankings, and ultimately sell more copies.
Have you checked which categories your book is listed under? If not, take a moment to review them—you might be just one tweak away from boosting your sales!
What’s your biggest challenge when selecting book categories? Drop your thoughts in the comments!