In the competitive world of low content book publishing, creating beautiful designs is only half the battle. If your books aren't discoverable by potential buyers, even the most stunning journals or planners will sit unsold in the vast Amazon marketplace. This is where strategic keyword research becomes the make-or-break factor for your publishing success.
As a low content book publisher who's gone from zero to generating consistent monthly sales, I've discovered that effective keyword research isn't just helpful—it's essential. In this comprehensive guide, I'll share the exact strategies I use to find keywords that actually drive sales to my low content books.
Why Keywords Matter More Than You Think
Before diving into strategies, let's understand why keywords are particularly crucial for low content books:
- Low content books are impulse purchases - Unlike fiction or non-fiction books where readers might search for specific authors or titles, low content book buyers often discover products through broader search terms.
- Visual appeal matters, but discoverability comes first - No matter how beautiful your notebook design is, buyers can't purchase what they can't find.
- Amazon's A9 search algorithm prioritizes relevance - Amazon wants to show buyers the most relevant products for their search queries. Using the right keywords signals to Amazon that your book matches what customers want.
- Keyword competition in the low content space is fierce - With the low barrier to entry, thousands of publishers are competing for visibility in popular categories.
Now that we understand the importance of keywords, let's explore strategies that yield results.
Strategy #1: Reverse-Engineer Amazon's Search Suggestions
Amazon's search bar is a goldmine of keyword data because it shows you exactly what real customers are searching for.
How to implement this strategy:
- Go to Amazon.com and type in a base keyword related to your low content book (e.g., "journal for").
- Note all the suggestions that appear in the dropdown.
- Add each suggestion to your keyword research document.
- Repeat this process by typing in different variations like "notebook for," "planner for," etc.
- Take it a step further by adding letters after your base keyword: "journal for a," "journal for b," etc.
This method reveals specific niches and use cases you might not have thought of. For example, typing "journal for w" might show "journal for women with depression" or "journal for writers" - revealing specific audiences you could target.
Pro tip: Pay special attention to longer, more specific phrases (like "gratitude journal for teenage girls") as these often have less competition while targeting highly motivated buyers.
Strategy #2: Analyze Bestseller Listings
Successful low content books already ranking on the first page of Amazon search results can teach you a lot about effective keywords.
How to implement this strategy:
- Search for broad terms related to your low content book niche.
- Study the titles, subtitles, and bullet points of the top 10 bestsellers.
- Look for recurring phrases and terms across multiple listings.
- Check the "Customers also bought" section for related niches.
- Use the "Look Inside" feature to check if their interior pages suggest additional keywords.
For example, if you're creating a habit tracker, you might notice that bestsellers include terms like "90-day habit tracker," "daily habit tracker journal," or "habit tracker for productivity" in their listings.
Pro tip: Don't just copy competitor keywords verbatim. Look for patterns and themes, then create your unique combination that addresses the same customer needs.
Strategy #3: Leverage Publisher Rocket (or Alternatives)
Tools like Publisher Rocket provide valuable data specific to Amazon book sales that can significantly improve your keyword strategy.
How to implement this strategy:
- Input your base keywords into Publisher Rocket.
- Check the estimated monthly searches to identify high-volume keywords.
- Analyze the competition score to find opportunities with lower competition.
- Review the average monthly earnings for books ranking for those keywords.
- Export promising keywords to your research document.
While Publisher Rocket is a paid tool ($97 one-time fee at the time of writing), the investment can quickly pay for itself by helping you identify profitable keywords.
Alternatives to Publisher Rocket:
- KDP Rocket (older version of Publisher Rocket)
- Book Bolt (subscription-based)
- KDSpy (one-time purchase)
- Free alternatives: Google Keyword Planner + Amazon search suggestions
Pro tip: Look for keywords with at least 1,000 monthly searches but competition scores below 50 for the best balance of opportunity and competition.
Strategy #4: Mine Customer Reviews for Goldmine Keywords
Customer reviews of similar products often contain natural language that potential buyers use when describing what they're looking for.
How to implement this strategy:
- Read the 5-star reviews of bestselling low content books in your niche.
- Pay attention to phrases describing what customers loved about the product.
- Look for mentions of problems the product solved for them.
- Note specific use cases customers mention.
- Identify recurring themes across multiple reviews.
For example, reviews for a gratitude journal might include phrases like "helps with my anxiety," "perfect size for my nightstand," or "great gift for someone going through tough times" - all potential keywords to incorporate.
Pro tip: Focus on reviews that begin with "I was looking for..." as these often reveal the exact search terms customers used before making their purchase.
Strategy #5: Seasonal and Trending Keyword Research
Low content books often see sales spikes around specific seasons, holidays, or trends.
How to implement this strategy:
- Use Google Trends to identify seasonal patterns for your niche keywords.
- Plan your keyword strategy 2-3 months ahead of peak seasons.
- Check trending topics on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.
- Monitor Amazon's "New Releases" in your category to spot emerging trends.
- Incorporate year-specific keywords for planners and dated products.
For example, search volume for "teacher planner" spikes in July-August before the school year begins, while "fitness journal" sees increased searches in December-January during New Year's resolution season.
Pro tip: Create a publishing calendar based on seasonal trends to ensure your books are indexed and ranking before peak buying periods begin.
Strategy #6: Long-Tail Keyword Optimization
Long-tail keywords (longer, more specific phrases) often convert better despite having lower search volume.
How to implement this strategy:
- Start with your main keyword (e.g., "password book").
- Expand it with descriptive adjectives ("floral password book").
- Add user demographics ("password book for seniors").
- Include use cases ("password book with alphabetical tabs").
- Combine approaches ("large print password book for seniors with alphabetical tabs").
Long-tail keywords face less competition and attract buyers who know exactly what they want, leading to higher conversion rates.
Pro tip: Create multiple low content books targeting different long-tail variations of your main keyword to capture various segments of the market.
Strategy #7: Competitive Gap Analysis
Identifying what's missing in the marketplace can reveal valuable keyword opportunities.
How to implement this strategy:
- Search for your target keywords on Amazon.
- Analyze the first page of results to identify commonalities.
- Look for customer needs mentioned in reviews that aren't addressed in titles.
- Check for quality issues or complaints that you could address.
- Identify underserved sub-niches within popular categories.
For example, you might notice that while there are many "budget planners" available, few specifically target "budget planners for variable income" or "budget planners for debt payoff" - revealing potential gaps.
Pro tip: Use the phrase "but" in Amazon's review filter to find complaints about otherwise popular products, revealing needs you can address in your own books.
Implementing Your Keyword Strategy Effectively
Finding great keywords is only valuable if you implement them effectively in your listings. Here's how to use your researched keywords:
Title Optimization
- Place your primary keyword at the beginning of your title
- Include 2-3 secondary keywords in your subtitle
- Keep the title natural and readable, not just a list of keywords
Description Optimization
- Use your main keywords in the first paragraph
- Incorporate longtail variations throughout the description
- Structure using bullet points that each highlight different keyword-rich benefits
- Include keywords naturally within benefit statements
Backend Keywords
- Use all seven available keyword fields
- Don't repeat keywords already in your title or subtitle
- Include common misspellings and alternate phrasings
- Separate keywords with spaces, not commas
- Don't worry about grammatical correctness in backend fields
Tracking and Refining Your Keyword Strategy
Keyword research isn't a one-time task. To maintain and improve your low content book sales:
- Track your rankings for target keywords (tools like Book Bolt or AMZScout can help)
- Monitor your bestseller rank changes after implementing new keywords
- Split test different keyword approaches with similar books
- Regularly update your keywords based on performance data
- Stay alert to seasonal changes and adjust accordingly
Common Keyword Research Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced publishers sometimes fall into these traps:
- Keyword stuffing - Cramming too many keywords makes your listing look unprofessional and can trigger Amazon's algorithms negatively
- Ignoring buyer intent - Not all high-volume keywords convert to sales; focus on keywords that show purchasing intent
- Neglecting to update keywords - Market trends change; what worked six months ago might not work today
- Copying competitor keywords exactly - This creates more direct competition instead of finding your unique angle
- Focusing only on high-volume keywords - Sometimes lower-volume, highly-targeted keywords convert better
Final Thoughts
Effective keyword research for low content books isn't about finding the most popular terms—it's about finding the right terms that connect your products with motivated buyers. By implementing these seven strategies consistently, you'll develop a competitive edge that helps your low content books stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Remember that keyword research is both an art and a science. While data is crucial, also trust your intuition about your target audience and what they might be searching for. The publishers who achieve sustainable success are those who continuously refine their keyword strategy based on real results.
