When publishing a book on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), choosing the right keywords is extremely important. Keywords help your book appear in Amazon search results and reach the right audience.
However, many beginners make a common mistake—they use incorrect or prohibited keywords, which can negatively impact their book’s visibility or even violate Amazon’s guidelines.
In this guide, you will learn which keywords to avoid in Amazon KDP, why they matter, and how to optimize your metadata the right way.
Why Avoiding Wrong Keywords is Important
Amazon uses your book’s metadata (title, subtitle, categories, and keywords) to decide:
- Where your book appears in search results
- Which audience sees your book
- How relevant your book is
Using the wrong keywords can:
- Reduce your book’s ranking
- Confuse customers
- Violate KDP policies
- Lead to poor visibility or even account issues
That’s why understanding what NOT to include is just as important as choosing the right keywords.
Keywords to Avoid in Amazon KDP
Below is a complete list of keyword types you should never use in your KDP metadata.
1. Information Already Included in Metadata
Avoid repeating information that is already present in your:
- Book title
- Subtitle
- Author name
- Contributors
Example
If your book title is:
“Beginner’s Guide to Digital Marketing”
Do NOT repeat:
- digital marketing
- beginner guide
Amazon already understands this from your title.
2. Words Already Covered in Categories
Do not include keywords that are already part of your selected categories.
Example
If your category is:
19th Century History
Avoid adding:
- 19th century
- history
This is redundant and does not improve ranking.
3. Subjective or Promotional Claims
Avoid exaggerated or opinion-based keywords.
Examples to Avoid
- Best book ever
- Top novel
- Must read
- Bestseller
These are considered misleading and promotional, and Amazon does not allow them.
4. Time-Sensitive Words
Avoid keywords that depend on time or availability.
Examples
- New
- On sale
- Available now
- Latest release
These become outdated quickly and are not useful for long-term SEO.
5. Generic Words
Do not use words that are too broad or obvious.
Example
- Book
- Novel
- Story
These words do not help Amazon understand your book’s niche.
6. Spelling Mistakes
Never include incorrect spellings intentionally.
Example
- “motivation” instead of “motivation”
Amazon may ignore such keywords or treat them as low-quality metadata.
7. Variations of the Same Word
Avoid repeating the same word in different formats.
Examples
- computer/computers
- 80GB / 80 GB
- ebook/e-book
Amazon already understands these variations.
Exception
You can include different translations or accepted variations, such as:
- Mao Zedong / Mao Tse-tung
- Hanukkah / Chanukah
8. Misleading or Irrelevant Information
Never use keywords that are not related to your book.
Examples
- Famous author names (if they are not involved)
- Unrelated topics just for traffic
This creates a bad user experience and violates KDP rules.
Amazon has zero tolerance for misleading metadata.
9. Unauthorized Brand Names
Avoid using brand names you do not own or have permission to use.
Examples
- Nike
- Apple
- Netflix
Using such keywords can lead to serious policy violations.
10. Quotation Marks in Keywords
Do not use quotation marks in your keyword fields.
Incorrect
“complex suspenseful whodunit”
This limits search visibility because users must type the exact phrase.
Correct
complex suspenseful whodunit
This allows your book to appear for any of those words individually.
11. Amazon Program Names
Avoid using Amazon-specific program names in your keywords.
Examples
- Kindle Unlimited
- KDP Select
These are restricted and should not be used.
12. HTML Tags
Never include HTML or formatting tags in your keywords.
Examples
<b>best book</b><i>thriller</i>
These are not supported and may cause errors in your metadata.
Best Practices for Choosing KDP Keywords
Now that you know what to avoid, here are some quick tips to choose better keywords.
Use Specific Keywords
Instead of:
- fiction
Use:
- historical fiction romance
- mystery thriller detective
Think Like a Reader
Ask yourself:
What would someone type to find this book?
Focus on Search Intent
Choose keywords that clearly describe:
- Genre
- Topic
- Audience
Use Long-Tail Keywords
Longer keywords are more targeted and easier to rank.
Example:
- self-help book → too broad
- self-confidence book for women → better
FAQ: Amazon KDP Keywords
How many keywords can I use in KDP?
Amazon allows you to enter 7 keyword boxes, and you can add multiple words in each box.
Can I repeat keywords in the title and the keyword section?
No, it is not recommended. Amazon already reads your title and subtitle.
Are long keywords better than short ones?
Yes, long-tail keywords usually perform better because they target specific searches.
Can I use competitor book titles as keywords?
No, using other authors’ names or book titles is considered misleading and not allowed.
What happens if I use restricted keywords?
Your book may:
Lose visibility
Be flagged
Be removed
Affect your KDP account
Choosing the right keywords is one of the most important steps in publishing your book on Amazon KDP. But just as important is knowing which keywords to avoid.
Avoid:
- Repetitive keywords
- Misleading terms
- Promotional claims
- Unauthorized brands
- Irrelevant or generic words
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your book is:
- Fully compliant with Amazon policies
- Easy to discover
- Optimized for better ranking
Take time to choose your keywords wisely—it can make a big difference in your book’s success.