Steps
Start with Amazon search
Go to Amazon and search for your broad topic ("anxiety workbooks", "clean romance", "military sci-fi"). Note the total number of results — this is your first competition signal. Under 500 results = low competition. 500–2,000 = medium. 2,000+ = high.
Check BSR of the top 10 results
Look at the BSR of the top 10 search results. If most are under #50,000, there's genuine demand. If most are over #100,000, the niche exists but demand is weak. Use Pubscout to see BSR on every result without clicking into individual product pages.
Count the average reviews in the top 10
For each of the top 10 results, note the review count. Calculate the average.
Under 25 average reviews = highly accessible (a new book can compete immediately)
25–75 average reviews = accessible with a good launch
75–200 average reviews = achievable with effort and audience-building
200+ average reviews = hard to crack without significant existing platform
Evaluate the quality of existing books
Click into the top 3–5 results and read the 1-star and 3-star reviews. What are readers complaining about? Outdated content? Poor structure? Missing information? These complaints define the gap your book can fill. If reviewers consistently say "great topic but poorly executed", you have a real opportunity.
Score the niche opportunity
A winnable niche has ALL of: (1) at least 5 results with BSR under #80,000 (demand exists), (2) average review count under 75 in the top 10, (3) clear quality gaps in existing books based on review analysis.
Use Pubscout niche pages
Browse Pubscout's pre-researched niche analyses at /pages/niches — each page includes competition score, average review count, BSR range, and specific entry tips for 41 popular KDP niches.
Tips
- Long-tail niches (more specific sub-categories) almost always have lower competition than broad categories. "Anxiety workbooks" is competitive; "anxiety workbooks for teen girls" is far less so.
- New niches emerge constantly as social trends shift. Topics that are trending on TikTok or Instagram today often have almost zero book competition — and Amazon buyers will search for them within months.
- Competition analysis is a point-in-time snapshot. A niche can go from low-competition to saturated in 12–18 months once indie authors discover it. Act on opportunities while they're still open.
FAQ
What BSR indicates a low-competition KDP niche?
If the #1 bestselling book in a subcategory has a BSR between #15,000 and #50,000, the niche has genuine demand but the best-selling book isn't massively dominant. This indicates an accessible niche. Under #5,000 for the #1 book suggests high demand but likely high competition too.
How do I find niches no one has covered yet?
Follow emerging social trends (TikTok, Reddit, YouTube) in your genre area. When a trend emerges but Amazon search shows under 100 results, you have a window of opportunity. Act fast — these windows close within 6–18 months as other authors notice the same opportunity.