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Amazon Decoded: A Marketing Guide to the Kindle Store
Want to sell more books on the world's biggest retailer? Fancy Amazon doing the selling for you instead? Amazon Decoded: A Marketing Guide to the Kindle Store will show you how.
*Learn what Visibility Marketing is and how understanding Amazon's philosophy can boost your sales.
*Discover the algorithms that really go into Sales Rank and dispel some remarkably common myths.
*Decode the ways Amazon recommends millions of books to readers every single day.
*Implement proven marketing plans, optimized for maximum Amazon visibility.
Whether you are exclusive to Amazon and chasing those page reads, or a wide author trying to survive the onslaught of Kindle Unlimited titles, Amazon Decoded will share the secrets of the Kindle Store and how you can sell more books.
*Learn what Visibility Marketing is and how understanding Amazon's philosophy can boost your sales.
*Discover the algorithms that really go into Sales Rank and dispel some remarkably common myths.
*Decode the ways Amazon recommends millions of books to readers every single day.
*Implement proven marketing plans, optimized for maximum Amazon visibility.
Whether you are exclusive to Amazon and chasing those page reads, or a wide author trying to survive the onslaught of Kindle Unlimited titles, Amazon Decoded will share the secrets of the Kindle Store and how you can sell more books.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
264 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
David Gaughran
11 books287 followersDavid Gaughran was born in Ireland but now lives in a quaint little fishing village in Portugal, although this hasn't increased the amount of time he spends outside the house. He writes historical fiction and science fiction under another name, has helped thousands of authors publish their work through his workshops, blog, and writers' books - Let's Get Digital, Strangers to Superfans, BookBub Ads Expert, and Amazon Decoded - and has also created giant marketing campaigns for some of the biggest self-publishers on the planet. Visit DavidGaughran.com to get yourself a free book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
April 14, 2025
This book is a good job at teaching. You know what it is doing and how it’s at algorithm works. It is for a great resource when it comes to forming the plan of what to do and how to use Amazon for your book.
This wasn’t the end. I’ll be all when it comes to how to advertise and market your book on Amazon, but this is a solid tool in your toolbox.
How do you feel like the author goes on long when did introductions that really drag out the book. But it is still worth reading through it all to get to that useful information.
This wasn’t the end. I’ll be all when it comes to how to advertise and market your book on Amazon, but this is a solid tool in your toolbox.
How do you feel like the author goes on long when did introductions that really drag out the book. But it is still worth reading through it all to get to that useful information.
January 26, 2018
Have read a few of David’s books and have learned so much from his previous works. This is a book that you get as a subscriber to his emails (can recommend those too) and it’s certainly a great little book.
I was a aware of a lot of the aspects mentioned here but a got few new ideas that I want to try out
I was a aware of a lot of the aspects mentioned here but a got few new ideas that I want to try out
![Profile Image for annob [on hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1674812294i%2F68231680._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 6, 2018
Mainly aimed at self-pub authors, this book offered detailed insight into the ranking mechanisms of the Kindle Store, its various top lists and recommendations features. Although I'm not an author, even from my reader / ebook consumer POV it made an interesting and educational read.
March 28, 2021
An insightful and illuminating book behind the scenes of Amazon. I think when you sell on Amazon you presume it's far more complicated than it is in the background, with the many Algorithms conspiring against you to make your life hard work.
The reality is it's simple to sell lots of books if you know how and have a good product to sell. This book breaks down pretty much everything you need to know to sell on Amazon.
This is a must buy for Authors, especially if you're new or newish to selling on the biggest online platform in the world.
The reality is it's simple to sell lots of books if you know how and have a good product to sell. This book breaks down pretty much everything you need to know to sell on Amazon.
This is a must buy for Authors, especially if you're new or newish to selling on the biggest online platform in the world.
January 21, 2018
Note: you can only get this free by signing up for David's newsletter (but it's a painless process, and you can unsubscribe if you want down the road. It's not a cell phone contract or anything).
I've been doing this publishing thing for a while now, and I've read David's other publishing books. I figured I'd give this one a read for the benefit of recommending to others.
I was surprised by how I'd forgotten some things, or hadn't connected the dots on others. It was really nice to have that lightbulb moment of I've always Done A, I know B happens...but I've never know *why*. So it was really great to have that explained out.
Other than that, I think this is a solidly helpful book to just get your head on straight for selling on Amazon. It's even good for someone who's been selling there for a while, just as a reminder that you do know what you're doing, or even just a double check that you're doing things right (ie how you plan out your ad blitz).
I've been doing this publishing thing for a while now, and I've read David's other publishing books. I figured I'd give this one a read for the benefit of recommending to others.
I was surprised by how I'd forgotten some things, or hadn't connected the dots on others. It was really nice to have that lightbulb moment of I've always Done A, I know B happens...but I've never know *why*. So it was really great to have that explained out.
Other than that, I think this is a solidly helpful book to just get your head on straight for selling on Amazon. It's even good for someone who's been selling there for a while, just as a reminder that you do know what you're doing, or even just a double check that you're doing things right (ie how you plan out your ad blitz).
February 12, 2021
If you're serious about upping your marketing game, start with this book. You'll be glad you did. David Gaughran takes a topic that is, at best, dry and dense, and makes it accessible, easy to read, and downright funny. He has a gift for putting complicated ideas into terms the average writer can easily understand, and I can't wait to get to the next book in the series.
November 11, 2021
This gets a full five stars because I know how useful it's going to be for me going forward.
If this were a novel, it would only get four stars because of how long it took me to finish and the fact that I was skimming at the end. But I was skimming because series promos aren't really a thing I'm needing yet and it was feeling like information overload of something I didn't need to know (yet).
I have never made such liberal use of my Kindle's highlight feature as I did in this book, and I'm keen to make use of the lessons I learned (I wish I'd learned some of them a little sooner, tbh, but live and learn - indie publishing is a long game). I know those later chapters that I skimmed will come in handy down the track and I'll revisit them then.
If this were a novel, it would only get four stars because of how long it took me to finish and the fact that I was skimming at the end. But I was skimming because series promos aren't really a thing I'm needing yet and it was feeling like information overload of something I didn't need to know (yet).
I have never made such liberal use of my Kindle's highlight feature as I did in this book, and I'm keen to make use of the lessons I learned (I wish I'd learned some of them a little sooner, tbh, but live and learn - indie publishing is a long game). I know those later chapters that I skimmed will come in handy down the track and I'll revisit them then.
November 7, 2024
Good resource with lots of helpful information for understanding how Amazon works.
September 4, 2020
Wise and witty
The ultimate Bible for all indie and self-published authors. This book is the bee's knees, written in such a way that even a technophobe (like myself) can not only understand it but apply the tools it teaches immediately.
The ultimate Bible for all indie and self-published authors. This book is the bee's knees, written in such a way that even a technophobe (like myself) can not only understand it but apply the tools it teaches immediately.
March 30, 2018
This was a free download directly from David Gaughran's site. And I like this little book, gives a good overview of what you will have to get your head round if you want to work the system to make sales as a self-published author.
But it gets very techie and the second half of the book is really for established self-published/Indie authors. I don't have a list of email addresses from potential readers, which I have harvested from another promotion, and I have no idea what BookBub is and wouldn't have a clue how to put an ad on Facebook - let alone have a budget for such types of marketing, not in the realms David is talking about, so really this is not directed at the first timer, although it will give you an overview as to whether you have the stomach for it.
It does, however, work in upselling David Gaughran's other books, like Let's Get Digital, which will hopefully help novice Indie authors like myself. But I do doubt I will ever be anywhere near as enthusiastic as David is about this type of marketing!
But it gets very techie and the second half of the book is really for established self-published/Indie authors. I don't have a list of email addresses from potential readers, which I have harvested from another promotion, and I have no idea what BookBub is and wouldn't have a clue how to put an ad on Facebook - let alone have a budget for such types of marketing, not in the realms David is talking about, so really this is not directed at the first timer, although it will give you an overview as to whether you have the stomach for it.
It does, however, work in upselling David Gaughran's other books, like Let's Get Digital, which will hopefully help novice Indie authors like myself. But I do doubt I will ever be anywhere near as enthusiastic as David is about this type of marketing!
January 31, 2022
Another Excellent Book
I am a new author and I really wanted to make sure I was doing Amazon effectively as I could and turns out I wasn't. This books gave me tons of useful information and I will absolutely apply it to my next book launch.
I am a new author and I really wanted to make sure I was doing Amazon effectively as I could and turns out I wasn't. This books gave me tons of useful information and I will absolutely apply it to my next book launch.
September 27, 2018
Short but very helpful. Glad I read it. An indie author must-read.
August 29, 2020
I read this book after reading the author’s ‘Let’s Get Digital’. It’s a natural follow-on for those interested in marketing their e-books as indie writers/publishers. In fact, it also has a lot to say about, and to, mainstream and some small publishers, much of which might benefit the authors they supposedly represent.
For those wishing to run their writing careers as a business, this is an excellent book. It gives detailed information about how the Amazon algorithms work, how to take advantage of this knowledge and how to maximise your chances of exposure and positioning on the multiple sales leagues.
For me, as what David describes as a ‘Wide Author’, the news isn’t good. It appears Amazon is rather narrow-minded regard genres and needs an author to restrict their writing to one genre, the narrower, the better. So, it’s not so much interested in selling good books, just a product from which it can make the maximum profit without worrying too much about content. If that sounds bitter, it’s because I’ve always admired writers willing to experiment, eager to stretch the minds of readers, daring to challenge long-held, often erroneous, beliefs. So much so, that I’ve emulated their stance in my own writing, though how successful that may have been is for others to determine.
My point is that such narrowness of approach as the sub-sub-genre gives does nothing to expand the minds, knowledge and opinions of those who read only in that limited field. And it positively harms those who would encourage broadening of the mind, adventurous reading, and the chance to experience something outside their comfort zone. This is what retail bookstores on the Highstreet used to do, sometimes with the help of imaginative and forward-thinking publishers; encourage readers to experiment.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where the single-mined will of the accountant rules above all, and the only issue of any importance is ‘How much profit can we make?’.
End of rant.
David makes no bones about the amount of work and dedication involved in playing this game as a professional. It’s demanding, time-consuming, and will not always garner results. But for those who win in this lottery, tweaking their output to best make use of the algorithms, the prizes in financial terms can be excellent. Of course, it also helps if you have a budget at hand to spend on some of the associated advertising.
So, not a book I can make maximum use of, though there are some aspects I can adopt to slightly increase visibility. Because Amazon is so fixated by narrow genre, my changes may make virtually no difference, however!
David makes it clear that we writers are very much in the hands of the business that is Amazon. My take from this is that I should ignore Amazon and concentrate my efforts on less prescriptive retailers if I’m to gain any increase in readership.
For those wishing to run their writing careers as a business, this is an excellent book. It gives detailed information about how the Amazon algorithms work, how to take advantage of this knowledge and how to maximise your chances of exposure and positioning on the multiple sales leagues.
For me, as what David describes as a ‘Wide Author’, the news isn’t good. It appears Amazon is rather narrow-minded regard genres and needs an author to restrict their writing to one genre, the narrower, the better. So, it’s not so much interested in selling good books, just a product from which it can make the maximum profit without worrying too much about content. If that sounds bitter, it’s because I’ve always admired writers willing to experiment, eager to stretch the minds of readers, daring to challenge long-held, often erroneous, beliefs. So much so, that I’ve emulated their stance in my own writing, though how successful that may have been is for others to determine.
My point is that such narrowness of approach as the sub-sub-genre gives does nothing to expand the minds, knowledge and opinions of those who read only in that limited field. And it positively harms those who would encourage broadening of the mind, adventurous reading, and the chance to experience something outside their comfort zone. This is what retail bookstores on the Highstreet used to do, sometimes with the help of imaginative and forward-thinking publishers; encourage readers to experiment.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where the single-mined will of the accountant rules above all, and the only issue of any importance is ‘How much profit can we make?’.
End of rant.
David makes no bones about the amount of work and dedication involved in playing this game as a professional. It’s demanding, time-consuming, and will not always garner results. But for those who win in this lottery, tweaking their output to best make use of the algorithms, the prizes in financial terms can be excellent. Of course, it also helps if you have a budget at hand to spend on some of the associated advertising.
So, not a book I can make maximum use of, though there are some aspects I can adopt to slightly increase visibility. Because Amazon is so fixated by narrow genre, my changes may make virtually no difference, however!
David makes it clear that we writers are very much in the hands of the business that is Amazon. My take from this is that I should ignore Amazon and concentrate my efforts on less prescriptive retailers if I’m to gain any increase in readership.
July 5, 2018
Some good things in this booklet, mostly in the first two-thirds. The later section about selling on Kindle seems geared towards people with plenty of cash to throw around for advertising as well as mainly being focused on selling a new title.
February 2, 2018
Informative and entertaining. I'm glad I read it.
March 13, 2018
Note: This book is free, but is only available if you sign up for author David Gaughran's newsletter (as he graciously points out, you can unsubscribe from the newsletter immediately after if it gives you the heebie jeebies or something.)
Amazon Decoded is essentially a companion piece to Gaughran's Let's Get Digital, his guide to self-publishing that focuses primarily, though not exclusively, on Amazon's Kindle market. This short book obviously does focus exclusively on Amazon and it offers detailed advice and explanations for self-publishing authors, both new and more established.
The tone throughout is very conversational and Gaughran admits to areas where his knowledge is incomplete, such as in how Amazon's "Also Bought" listings affect sales and rankings. But there is still a lot of good information here, including what not to do. Much of this involves being careful how you promote your book, as the "wrong" audience can muddy the various lists Amazon generates and impact book sales. Gaughran illustrates these points with his own promotional blunders, adopting a good-natured tone as he recounts his marketing goof-ups.
This is a very quick read. As Gaughran points out, it's more a booklet than a book, and I recommend it be read alongside Let's Get Digital if you intend to self-publish through Amazon's kindle store. For others it provides some insights into the virtual machinery of Amazon's Kindle store, but perhaps not enough to warrant a read just for that alone.
Amazon Decoded is essentially a companion piece to Gaughran's Let's Get Digital, his guide to self-publishing that focuses primarily, though not exclusively, on Amazon's Kindle market. This short book obviously does focus exclusively on Amazon and it offers detailed advice and explanations for self-publishing authors, both new and more established.
The tone throughout is very conversational and Gaughran admits to areas where his knowledge is incomplete, such as in how Amazon's "Also Bought" listings affect sales and rankings. But there is still a lot of good information here, including what not to do. Much of this involves being careful how you promote your book, as the "wrong" audience can muddy the various lists Amazon generates and impact book sales. Gaughran illustrates these points with his own promotional blunders, adopting a good-natured tone as he recounts his marketing goof-ups.
This is a very quick read. As Gaughran points out, it's more a booklet than a book, and I recommend it be read alongside Let's Get Digital if you intend to self-publish through Amazon's kindle store. For others it provides some insights into the virtual machinery of Amazon's Kindle store, but perhaps not enough to warrant a read just for that alone.
December 14, 2021
David covers topics including an interesting history of the Kindle store, Amazon's algorithms, KU vs Wide, launch strategies, and more.
September 24, 2024
I totally recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the nooks and crannies of Amazon.
August 20, 2020
Excellent strategic overview. Thanks David!
August 25, 2021
This is a fantastic dissection of what makes Amazon tick.
I learned so much and I've been published for 17 years!
Worth it for the launch chapter alone.
If you're an indie author, this is a must read.
Recommend.
I learned so much and I've been published for 17 years!
Worth it for the launch chapter alone.
If you're an indie author, this is a must read.
Recommend.
April 14, 2021
Whoa
David Gaughran delivers a deep dive into the world of Kindle. This book gives you advanced tips other people aren’t offering. I’m looking forward to putting them into practice myself.
David Gaughran delivers a deep dive into the world of Kindle. This book gives you advanced tips other people aren’t offering. I’m looking forward to putting them into practice myself.
January 21, 2022
What I like the most about David's book is how practical it is. My only regret is not reading it a few years earlier, when I was just starting.
Definitely, a must-read for all indie authors!
Definitely, a must-read for all indie authors!
August 18, 2020
Going In-depth on the 'Zon
Very illuminating and a must-read for authors looking to figure out why Amazon behaves in such mysterious and quirky ways. By the end, I came away with several new ways and ideas with which to market my books.
Very illuminating and a must-read for authors looking to figure out why Amazon behaves in such mysterious and quirky ways. By the end, I came away with several new ways and ideas with which to market my books.
January 22, 2018
A good, overall look at the Amazon algorithms. A lot of stuff I already knew, but enough new ideas to be worth it. Definitely recommended for beginners. Free for his mailing list subscribers,
October 26, 2018
Does just what it says on the can. A good, clear explanation of the different facets of Amazon, with lots of helpful tips as well. Extremely useful.
January 9, 2021
Fantastic breakdown of how the Kindle store works, and how to adapt your marketing to maximize the algorithms. Very readable and practical. Detailed without getting lost in the weeds.
September 12, 2021
This book is a must read for any indie writer wanting to learn about the behind-the-scene world of Amazon ads.
May 7, 2019
This is a useful little tome. I learnt a lot - more than I thought I would, in fact.
I wasn't aware, for example, of the difference between the Popularity List and the Bestseller list, and how there's a lag on the Popularity list which could explain a spike in sales days after a promo ends.
I follow David Gaughran everywhere (so should you, or anyone looking to sell more books), so naturally, I was already aware of the time when he completely stuffed up the Also Boughts on his historical fiction book by recommending it to writers. I had no idea, though, just how big a problem it was, or how difficult it would be to recover from.
Other things I did know. Like the fact that Amazon allows indies two categories, but careful keyword selection can increase that number dramatically. The problem is, I'd forgotten all about things like that. Also, the idea that you can actually combine multiple keywords into single phrases to save slots makes a lot of sense. I haven't looked into my keywords in a while; definitely time to go and do a double-check for all my books.
Mr Gaughran is obviously really passionate about this stuff. If you didn't know that already from following him all over social media, and reading his other non-fiction, you'll know it after reading this book.
My only issue with it is (and this may seem obvious, but bear with me) that it's very Amazon-centric. The idea of publishing wide, as opposed to being in Select/Kindle Unlimited, is touched on only very briefly. In fact, the existence of any other retailers at all is only acknowledged in the context of how badly they're screwing up when it comes to competing with Amazon. It's clear that David believes that being in KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited is, quite simply, the best way for an author to make money.
I don't dispute that. I think people make a crapton of money by being exclusive to Amazon and having their books enrolled in KU. But, as anyone who follows me knows, I have a philosophical problem with that. One that can't be solved by the promise of personally making more money. I believe that by virtue of Kindle Unlimited, and other KDP Select perks, Amazon has been single-handedly responsible for putting numerous other ebook retailers out of business. And their employees out of work, and their families out of food.
In fact, when readers in a country (South Africa) which doesn't even have an Amazon presense - and where Kindle Unlimited isn't even available - would rather head off to a US company and buy books in US dollars, paying inflated exchange rates and conversion fees, than go to a site which allows them to buy books in their native currency, we have a problem.
Obviously, this book's not about trying to solve that problem. It's about how to make money off Amazon by understanding how their algorithm works. But you know what? A certain amount of social responsibility is required, and I for one would be prepared to sacrifice a good deal of personal, short-term success if it meant long-term success for the industry.
Anyway, I still think David Gaughran is an amazing man with an amazing brain, and you should follow him if you want to know how to make money as a self-published author... and to be fair, his other books do talk about making money off other retailers too. And he recently did a live Q&A on Kobo's Facebook Page, so it's not like he's not all for supporting other retailers. It's just, reading this book cold, that's the impression you're likely to get.
This book isn't available for sale anywhere, so the only way to get it is to sign up for David's mailing list at https://davidgaughran.com/. Which I (obviously) highly recommend that you do!
I wasn't aware, for example, of the difference between the Popularity List and the Bestseller list, and how there's a lag on the Popularity list which could explain a spike in sales days after a promo ends.
I follow David Gaughran everywhere (so should you, or anyone looking to sell more books), so naturally, I was already aware of the time when he completely stuffed up the Also Boughts on his historical fiction book by recommending it to writers. I had no idea, though, just how big a problem it was, or how difficult it would be to recover from.
Other things I did know. Like the fact that Amazon allows indies two categories, but careful keyword selection can increase that number dramatically. The problem is, I'd forgotten all about things like that. Also, the idea that you can actually combine multiple keywords into single phrases to save slots makes a lot of sense. I haven't looked into my keywords in a while; definitely time to go and do a double-check for all my books.
Mr Gaughran is obviously really passionate about this stuff. If you didn't know that already from following him all over social media, and reading his other non-fiction, you'll know it after reading this book.
My only issue with it is (and this may seem obvious, but bear with me) that it's very Amazon-centric. The idea of publishing wide, as opposed to being in Select/Kindle Unlimited, is touched on only very briefly. In fact, the existence of any other retailers at all is only acknowledged in the context of how badly they're screwing up when it comes to competing with Amazon. It's clear that David believes that being in KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited is, quite simply, the best way for an author to make money.
I don't dispute that. I think people make a crapton of money by being exclusive to Amazon and having their books enrolled in KU. But, as anyone who follows me knows, I have a philosophical problem with that. One that can't be solved by the promise of personally making more money. I believe that by virtue of Kindle Unlimited, and other KDP Select perks, Amazon has been single-handedly responsible for putting numerous other ebook retailers out of business. And their employees out of work, and their families out of food.
In fact, when readers in a country (South Africa) which doesn't even have an Amazon presense - and where Kindle Unlimited isn't even available - would rather head off to a US company and buy books in US dollars, paying inflated exchange rates and conversion fees, than go to a site which allows them to buy books in their native currency, we have a problem.
Obviously, this book's not about trying to solve that problem. It's about how to make money off Amazon by understanding how their algorithm works. But you know what? A certain amount of social responsibility is required, and I for one would be prepared to sacrifice a good deal of personal, short-term success if it meant long-term success for the industry.
Anyway, I still think David Gaughran is an amazing man with an amazing brain, and you should follow him if you want to know how to make money as a self-published author... and to be fair, his other books do talk about making money off other retailers too. And he recently did a live Q&A on Kobo's Facebook Page, so it's not like he's not all for supporting other retailers. It's just, reading this book cold, that's the impression you're likely to get.
This book isn't available for sale anywhere, so the only way to get it is to sign up for David's mailing list at https://davidgaughran.com/. Which I (obviously) highly recommend that you do!
Read
May 16, 2025*Amazon Decoded* is a comprehensive and insightful guide to understanding how Amazon’s Kindle Store actually works—and how authors can use that knowledge to **sell more books**. Written by bestselling indie publishing expert **David Gaughran**, the book strips away the myths and guesswork surrounding Kindle marketing, replacing them with a clear strategy built on data, behavior, and platform-specific tools.
---
### **Core Premise**
The Kindle Store isn’t just a place to publish—it’s a **sophisticated, algorithm-driven marketplace**. To succeed, authors must learn to **work with Amazon’s systems**, not against them. Visibility, discoverability, and conversions are driven by **algorithms**, **reader behavior**, and **category mastery**—not luck or brute-force promotion.
---
### **Key Concepts and Strategies**
#### **1. Understanding the Amazon Ecosystem**
* Amazon operates as a **search engine** and a **recommendation engine**—you must optimize for both.
* The store favors **engagement-based algorithms**: sales, clicks, and page reads signal value to Amazon.
* Amazon rewards books that **perform well with readers**, not just well-written or well-marketed books.
#### **2. The Four Pillars of Visibility**
Gaughran emphasizes four critical areas:
1. **Metadata** – Keywords, categories, and product descriptions must be strategically optimized.
2. **Covers** – Must match genre expectations and trigger reader interest instantly.
3. **Blurb (Book Description)** – Should be persuasive, emotional, and sales-focused.
4. **Pricing & Promotions** – Smart pricing strategies and time-limited discounts help trigger Amazon’s algorithms.
#### **3. The Role of Algorithms**
* Books that perform well are surfaced more via:
* **"Also Boughts"**
* **Category bestseller lists**
* **Search suggestions**
* **Email recommendations**
* Triggering and sustaining momentum is key to **algorithmic exposure**.
#### **4. Advertising on Amazon**
* Covers the basics and advanced tactics of **Amazon Ads** (AMS), including:
* How the ad auction system works
* Creating effective ads
* Understanding metrics (ACOS, impressions, conversions)
* Avoiding common ad traps that burn money without sales
#### **5. Launching and Relaunching Books**
* Launch strategies include:
* Preorders
* Promo stacking
* Mailing list integration
* Relaunching older titles can breathe new life into a backlist using **targeted metadata refreshes**, **category shifts**, and **ads**.
#### **6. Building Long-Term Success**
* Focus not just on launch spikes but on **sustainable visibility**.
* Encourage **read-through** by publishing in series and linking content smartly.
* Use **reader magnets** and email lists to build a loyal fanbase.
---
### **Tone and Style**
* **Clear, practical, and actionable**—Gaughran writes like a coach, not a theorist.
* Includes **case studies**, **step-by-step tactics**, and **recommended tools**.
* Strips away hype and focuses on **data-informed, ethical strategies**.
---
### **Core Takeaways**
* Success on Amazon requires **understanding the system**, not gaming it.
* Every element of your book’s presentation—cover, blurb, metadata—should serve one purpose: **to convert browsers into buyers**.
* Amazon is not your enemy—it can be your **most powerful ally** if you understand how to align with its algorithms.
---
For indie authors and publishers aiming to **master the Kindle marketplace**, *Amazon Decoded* is a must-read playbook for long-term success.
---
### **Core Premise**
The Kindle Store isn’t just a place to publish—it’s a **sophisticated, algorithm-driven marketplace**. To succeed, authors must learn to **work with Amazon’s systems**, not against them. Visibility, discoverability, and conversions are driven by **algorithms**, **reader behavior**, and **category mastery**—not luck or brute-force promotion.
---
### **Key Concepts and Strategies**
#### **1. Understanding the Amazon Ecosystem**
* Amazon operates as a **search engine** and a **recommendation engine**—you must optimize for both.
* The store favors **engagement-based algorithms**: sales, clicks, and page reads signal value to Amazon.
* Amazon rewards books that **perform well with readers**, not just well-written or well-marketed books.
#### **2. The Four Pillars of Visibility**
Gaughran emphasizes four critical areas:
1. **Metadata** – Keywords, categories, and product descriptions must be strategically optimized.
2. **Covers** – Must match genre expectations and trigger reader interest instantly.
3. **Blurb (Book Description)** – Should be persuasive, emotional, and sales-focused.
4. **Pricing & Promotions** – Smart pricing strategies and time-limited discounts help trigger Amazon’s algorithms.
#### **3. The Role of Algorithms**
* Books that perform well are surfaced more via:
* **"Also Boughts"**
* **Category bestseller lists**
* **Search suggestions**
* **Email recommendations**
* Triggering and sustaining momentum is key to **algorithmic exposure**.
#### **4. Advertising on Amazon**
* Covers the basics and advanced tactics of **Amazon Ads** (AMS), including:
* How the ad auction system works
* Creating effective ads
* Understanding metrics (ACOS, impressions, conversions)
* Avoiding common ad traps that burn money without sales
#### **5. Launching and Relaunching Books**
* Launch strategies include:
* Preorders
* Promo stacking
* Mailing list integration
* Relaunching older titles can breathe new life into a backlist using **targeted metadata refreshes**, **category shifts**, and **ads**.
#### **6. Building Long-Term Success**
* Focus not just on launch spikes but on **sustainable visibility**.
* Encourage **read-through** by publishing in series and linking content smartly.
* Use **reader magnets** and email lists to build a loyal fanbase.
---
### **Tone and Style**
* **Clear, practical, and actionable**—Gaughran writes like a coach, not a theorist.
* Includes **case studies**, **step-by-step tactics**, and **recommended tools**.
* Strips away hype and focuses on **data-informed, ethical strategies**.
---
### **Core Takeaways**
* Success on Amazon requires **understanding the system**, not gaming it.
* Every element of your book’s presentation—cover, blurb, metadata—should serve one purpose: **to convert browsers into buyers**.
* Amazon is not your enemy—it can be your **most powerful ally** if you understand how to align with its algorithms.
---
For indie authors and publishers aiming to **master the Kindle marketplace**, *Amazon Decoded* is a must-read playbook for long-term success.
October 7, 2020
For authors looking to understand the ins and outs of Amazon’s platform better, this is definitely a book to pick up. I could barely put it down in the first half, as it talked about every last detail on how the Amazon selling system works and how we as authors can optimize our books’ metadata so that it all plays nicely with Amazon.
There are some really great takeaways from this one — that’s clear to me based upon the sheer number of highlights I made in my Kindle app! It’s obvious the author has spent a ton of time researching, selling, tweaking, optimizing, and the like — he knows his stuff, and he shares all of that with the reader, which is awesome.
I did think the book dragged on a little bit in the second half, however. That’s not to say it was bad, just that it wasn't as useful for me and my use case. That half talks more about KDP Select (which I am not currently enrolled in, hence why I may have lost some interest). Moreover, it talks about advertising but stops short of adding a ton of real value in that department.
Oh well, I guess I’ll have to pick up another one of this author’s books for more info on that subject. But that’s okay, because, on the whole, this book was informative and enjoyable. The author’s also got some humor in him which adds to the reading experience. KDP Select enrollees, this book is 100% for you.
-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”
There are some really great takeaways from this one — that’s clear to me based upon the sheer number of highlights I made in my Kindle app! It’s obvious the author has spent a ton of time researching, selling, tweaking, optimizing, and the like — he knows his stuff, and he shares all of that with the reader, which is awesome.
I did think the book dragged on a little bit in the second half, however. That’s not to say it was bad, just that it wasn't as useful for me and my use case. That half talks more about KDP Select (which I am not currently enrolled in, hence why I may have lost some interest). Moreover, it talks about advertising but stops short of adding a ton of real value in that department.
Oh well, I guess I’ll have to pick up another one of this author’s books for more info on that subject. But that’s okay, because, on the whole, this book was informative and enjoyable. The author’s also got some humor in him which adds to the reading experience. KDP Select enrollees, this book is 100% for you.
-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”
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