How-To Guide · 5 Steps

How to Pick KDP Categories (And Request More)

KDP lets you choose 2 categories when you publish. You can request up to 10 categories after publication. Choosing the right categories is one of the most underutilised opportunities for KDP discoverability and bestseller rankings.

Steps

1

Browse your competitor's categories

Find a book similar to yours that's selling well (BSR under #50,000). Scroll to the bottom of its product page and note every category it appears in. These are all categories your book likely qualifies for.

2

Evaluate category difficulty

Check the BSR of the #1 bestseller in each subcategory. A subcategory where the #1 book has a BSR of #15,000 or higher is achievable for a new book. A category where the #1 has BSR #500 requires much more momentum.

3

Choose your 2 initial categories

Log into your KDP dashboard and navigate to your book's detail page. Use the category selection tool to choose 2 categories — pick your primary genre category and one niche subcategory where you can realistically rank.

4

Request additional categories via email

After your book is published, email KDP support at [email protected] (or use the Contact Us option in your KDP dashboard). Request up to 8 additional categories by name. KDP support can manually add categories that don't appear in the publishing UI.

5

Monitor your category rankings

Check your product page regularly to see your category rankings. A "#1 Bestseller" badge in any category (even a small one) appears on your product page and in search results, which increases click-through rate.

Tips

  • The Amazon Browse Nodes database lists every KDP category with its browse node ID — this is the reference KDP support uses when you request additional categories.
  • You can request categories that aren't visible in the KDP publishing dashboard — some categories only exist as Amazon browse nodes and can only be added by support.
  • Subcategory rankings reset regularly. A sudden drop in BSR can win you a category rank temporarily — worth monitoring during launch week.

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FAQ

Can I change my KDP categories after publishing?

Yes. You can request category changes at any time by contacting KDP support. You can update your 2 standard categories through the dashboard, and request changes to additional categories via email.

How many categories can a KDP book be in?

Technically up to 10 categories — 2 from the dashboard and up to 8 additional from KDP support. Not all books qualify for all categories; your book must genuinely fit the category content.