- Be accurate. Choose the most accurate categories based on the subject matter of your book. Avoid choosing one category that's explicitly fiction and another that's explicitly non-fiction. For example, if your book is a romance novel set during the U.S. Civil War, choose "Fiction > Romance > Historical." Do not include "History > US > Civil War." Instead, "US Civil War" as a keyword.
- Be specific. Choose specific categories instead of general ones. Customers looking for specific topics will find your book more easily. We'll display your book in the general categories as well. For example, a book in the "FICTION > Fantasy > Historical" category will also show up in searches for general fiction and general fantasy. Choose a "General" category only if your book is a general book about a broad topic.
- Don't be redundant. Choosing a single category will display your book in a variety of searches, so don't list your book in a category and its sub-categories. For example, don't select "FICTION > Fantasy > Historical" and "FICTION > Fantasy." One specific, accurate category is more effective than a redundant second one.
- Find examples. To find out which categories are the best fit for your book, search for categories on Amazon. For example, look for relevant browse categories on the left under the Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks header. You can also search for books like yours and find the browse categories assigned to those books. To do so, scroll down the book's detail page to the section "Look for Similar Items by Category."
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Contact Us
Have feedback? Can't find your answer in our Help pages?
Contact UsSelecting Browse Categories
Browse categories are the sections of the Amazon site where customers can find your book. Think of browse categories like the sections of a physical bookstore (fiction, history, and so on).
During title setup, you'll select a BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) code. The codes you choose, along with your selected keywords, are used to place your book into certain categories, or browse paths, on Amazon. After your book has an Amazon listing, your book's category will appear under the Product Details section of your listing. This will be the path a customer can follow to find your book. For information on timelines, including details on new publications and updates to published books, see our Help page.
You can choose up to two BISAC codes for your book. We may also assign additional browse categories depending on your BISAC selections and assigned keywords. You can learn more and see the most current BISAC codes on the BISAC Subject Codes website.
Note: Book categories are automatically mapped based on the Kindle Store category selected during publishing.
During title setup, you'll select a BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) code. The codes you choose, along with your selected keywords, are used to place your book into certain categories, or browse paths, on Amazon. After your book has an Amazon listing, your book's category will appear under the Product Details section of your listing. This will be the path a customer can follow to find your book. For information on timelines, including details on new publications and updates to published books, see our Help page.
You can choose up to two BISAC codes for your book. We may also assign additional browse categories depending on your BISAC selections and assigned keywords. You can learn more and see the most current BISAC codes on the BISAC Subject Codes website.
Note: Book categories are automatically mapped based on the Kindle Store category selected during publishing.
How should I choose categories?
How do I add or update categories?
- Sign in to: https://kdp.amazon.com
- Go to your Bookshelf and click the ellipsis button ("…") under the KINDLE EBOOK ACTIONS or PAPERBACK ACTIONS menu next to your book
- Select "Edit eBook Details" or "Edit Paperback Details"
- Under the Categories section, make your changes
- Go to the bottom of the page and click Save and Continue
- Once you reach the book Pricing page, click the publish button at the bottom of the page
Are there restricted categories?
Some Kindle Store categories are restricted. Publishers can't enable them.
Categories with keyword requirements
To list your book in certain sub-categories on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, you'll need to add search keywords to the categories you choose. Choose a marketplace and click the categories to see the keyword requirements.
Categories with keywords in other languages
Categorize books published in languages other than English by adding language-specific Search Keywords. Choose a language and click the categories to see the keyword requirements.
Children's or teen & young adult categories
Want to list your book in the Children's or Teen & Young Adult categories on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.de? If so, you must choose at least one Juvenile Category (BISAC Subject Code). For Children's categories, you'll also need to set the minimum recommended reading age to 0 – 11 years old.
For Teen & Young Adult categories on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, set the minimum recommended reading age to 13 – 17 years old. For Amazon.de, set the minimum recommended reading age to 12 – 15 years. On Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, titles with a Juvenile Category and a minimum recommended age of 12 may be categorized in Children’s or Teens. This depends on other information about the book. Keep in mind that an independent category will show for Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.es, and Amazon.it.
Learn more about entering age and grade ranges.
For Teen & Young Adult categories on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, set the minimum recommended reading age to 13 – 17 years old. For Amazon.de, set the minimum recommended reading age to 12 – 15 years. On Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, titles with a Juvenile Category and a minimum recommended age of 12 may be categorized in Children’s or Teens. This depends on other information about the book. Keep in mind that an independent category will show for Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.es, and Amazon.it.
Learn more about entering age and grade ranges.
Series categories
We're regularly adding to the list of Series categories. However, we're currently unable to accept requests for new Series categories. Check back later to see if the Series you're looking for was added to the list.
