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Crafting the Perfect Book Title and Subtitle for Amazon KDP: Avoid These Common KDP Mistakes!

If you’re self-publishing a book on Amazon, crafting the perfect title and subtitle is crucial for capturing the attention of potential readers. Not only do they provide an opportunity to clarify the content of your book, but they also influence how it appears in search results and can impact your sales. In this article, we’ll explore Amazon’s guidelines for titles and subtitles and provide tips for creating a compelling and effective title and subtitle that avoids common KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) mistakes.

Introduction

Most readers browse Amazon for books by reading the titles and subtitles before even considering clicking further. With millions of books available, creating an attention-grabbing and effective title and subtitle is essential. A good title and subtitle can make all the difference in the success of your book. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Amazon’s guidelines and share tips for crafting a book title and subtitle that will help your book stand out on Amazon.

Amazon’s Guidelines for Titles and Subtitles

Amazon has specific guidelines for titles and subtitles that must be followed to avoid flagging or removal of your book. Take note of these guidelines, as they impact the success of your book on Amazon:

Keep it clear: The title and subtitle must accurately reflect the content of the book. Avoid promotional or misleading statements.
Use appropriate language: The title and subtitle must comply with Amazon’s terms of service and community guidelines.
Length and formatting: The title must be under 200 characters and the subtitle under 200 characters. The title should be in title case format and the subtitle in sentence case format.
Avoid excessive use of caps, symbols, and numbers: These make the title and subtitle appear spammy and unprofessional.

Tips for Crafting a Compelling Title and Subtitle

Now that you know Amazon’s guidelines for titles and subtitles, let’s look at some tips for crafting an effective one that grabs the attention of potential readers:

Keep it simple: Avoid complex or lengthy titles and subtitles. Keep it concise and direct.
Get specific: A specific title and subtitle makes your book stand out compared to others. Highlight the main topic or niche with specific keywords.
Emotion and Curiosity: A title and subtitle that evokes emotion or curiosity will make the reader click on your book. Make it interesting and engaging.
Always keep your target audience in mind: Understand who your target audience is and what they are searching for. Use language and keywords relevant to those readers.
Subtitle should expand on the title: A good subtitle adds clarity and expands on the content of the book. Don’t repeat the title in the subtitle.
Avoid vague or overused phrases: Avoid cliches, buzzwords, and vague expressions in your title and subtitle. It makes your book appear unprofessional.
Test your title and subtitle: Get feedback from other writers or readers in your target audience to test whether your title and subtitle captures their attention and accurately represents the content of your book.

5 Unique FAQs After The Conclusion

Can I change my title and subtitle after I’ve published my book?

Yes, you are allowed to make changes to your title and subtitle at any time. However, changes may take a few days to show up on Amazon.

How many keywords can I use in my title and subtitle?

It’s best to use a maximum of 7 well-researched and targeted keywords in your title and subtitle. Don’t include irrelevant keywords or overuse them.

What happens if my title and subtitle don’t meet Amazon’s guidelines?

If your title and subtitle don’t meet Amazon’s guidelines, your book may be flagged, or worse, removed from the site.

How long should my title and subtitle be?

The title should be less than 200 characters and the subtitle less than 200 characters. However, it’s best to keep your title and subtitle as concise as possible.