Metadata Minute (Issue #17): Metadata Challenges for Self-Published Authors

The growth of self-publishing over the last few decades has significantly impacted the entire publishing industry. According to WordsRated, about 33% of all ebooks sold are self-published and, over the last five years, the number of self-published books has increased by 265%. The main benefit of self-publishing, of course, is that authors get a larger percentage of the profit from sales; however, self-published authors have to be even more vigilant when it comes to metadata than their traditional counterparts.

In this Metadata Minute, we explore the main metadata challenges self-published authors encounter and offer insights on overcoming these hurdles.

Understanding the Complexity of Metadata

Metadata goes beyond just a title, author name, ISBN, and book description. It includes a wide range of fields, such as keywords, BISAC codes (subject categories), audience code, product specifications, reviews, excerpts, and more. Metadata is the essential gateway that allows online retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) and search engines to categorize and define your book for potential readers.

Even experienced traditional book publishers still struggle with the best strategies for specific metadata fields, so it is vital to do thorough research to avoid roadblocks and prevent losing out on potential sales. Here are some potential resources to learn more about metadata, both from a beginner and an advanced perspective:

• BISG’s Best Practices for Product Metadata
• Kindle’s Metadata Guidelines and Publishing Guidelines
• The Metadata Handbook

Selecting the Right Keywords

Keywords are crucial for book discoverability but can be challenging to choose. While we recommend including as many keywords as possible with your title, it’s important to be strategic about which keywords you prioritize.

Here are some common keyword mistakes to avoid:

• Generic words like amazing, bestseller, book, etc.
• Words already mentioned in your BISAC categories
• Other authors or unauthorized brand names
• Time-sensitive statements like “new” or “on sale now”
• Redundant keywords: Avoid using information that is already covered in your book’s metadata, such as the title, author, and format of the product (audiobook, ebook, etc).
• Repeat keywords: Avoid repeating words or phrases unless it’s absolutely necessary. For example: While it might be tempting to include both “japanese romance” and “japanese love story”, it might be redundant since Amazon will make the connection regardless. Eliminating “japanese” from one of those phrases will allow space for another keyword instead.

Read our previous Metadata Minute on the Top 3 Keyword Myths for Book Publishers.

Keeping Metadata Up to Date

Self-published authors may not consider revisiting their metadata on a regular basis, believing that metadata is either set in stone or simply that updating it won’t make any difference. However, updating your title metadata can significantly boost your discoverability, especially if your book receives any awards or new reviews, has content that is tied to a specific holiday or event, or has recently become relevant due to political, religious, or world-wide news.

TIP: Set regular calendar reminders to review and update your metadata. This can include adding awards and reviews, revising keywords, or updating the book description and author bio.

Other Quick Tips for Self-Published Authors

• Keep your metadata consistent across all retail platforms. All pricing, keywords, book description, etc. should be the same on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and wherever else your title is listed.
• Each book should have three BISAC categories that accurately describe the contents of the book. Avoid using “General” categories if possible. BISG is a great resource to educate yourself on how to select BISAC codes for your books.
• Avoid the temptation of “keyword stuffing” your titles—overloading a title, subtitle, or book description with too many keywords. While it may seem logical that more keywords would increase search visibility, this tactic often backfires and can sometimes result in retailers downranking your title in search results. It also tends to reduce reader trust and engagement with your content, and hurts your reputation as a self-published author. In addition, it can cause problems with other data recipients like libraries.
• Pay attention to seasonal opportunities, not just holidays. Certain books perform better at certain times of the year—think cozy fall reads for autumn or easy beach reads in the summer. Be sure you’re adjusting your keywords and promotional language to take advantage of these periods.

Hopefully this helped clear up a few common questions about metadata for self-published authors. If you have any questions about these tips, feel free to leave them in the comments!