KDP Keywords: What's Allowed and What Works
You get 7 keyword slots per book. Here's what Amazon actually prohibits, and how to use the space well instead of wasting slots on terms that don't help.
What's not allowed
| Prohibited | Why |
|---|---|
| "bestseller", "#1" | Unverifiable subjective claim |
| "award-winning" | Unverifiable unless literally true |
| "free" | Pricing/availability claims not allowed |
| "new release", "new" | Time-sensitive claims not allowed |
| ASINs (e.g. B0XXXXXXXX) | Not allowed in keywords |
| Other authors' or brand names | Not allowed without explicit rights |
What actually works
Each of your 7 slots can hold a full phrase, not just one word, so use them for real search phrases a reader might type, not single generic terms. Think about what someone searches when they already know they want a book like yours: the genre plus a specific trope, theme, or audience, rather than just the genre alone.
Skip anything already covered by your title, subtitle, or the categories you've picked, Amazon already indexes those. Your 7 keyword slots are more valuable spent on angles those don't cover.
Common questions
How many keywords does KDP allow?
7 slots per book. Each can be a phrase, so use the space for real search phrases, not single words.
What keywords are not allowed on KDP?
Unverifiable claims (bestseller, #1, award-winning), time-sensitive claims (new release), pricing claims (free), and ASINs are all against policy.
Can I use a competitor's name as a keyword?
No, not without explicit rights to reference them. This is a real, actively enforced rule.
Why this matters
A rejected or flagged keyword can hold up your listing, and a wasted slot on a term nobody searches is a missed chance to get found. Worth getting this right before you submit, not after.
KDP Workspace's free keyword checker flags prohibited terms automatically before you publish, so nothing gets rejected after the fact.
Try the free tool →