Let us be honest.

You have written a book. You have poured your soul into every page. You have done the rewrites, gotten it edited (hopefully), formatted, and finally clicked “Publish” on your platform of choice—whether that’s Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or something else entirely. And then… crickets.

You tell yourself it takes time. That the right reader has not stumbled upon it yet. That maybe it will pick up momentum with word of mouth.

But here is the brutal truth I have learned over four decades in the trenches of the publishing business: if no one can find your book, no one can buy your book.

That is where metadata becomes the unsung hero—or silent assassin—of your publishing journey.

Today, I am pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood aspects of the book business: metadata. Why it matters, how it works, and what you, as an author (especially a new author), need to do to get your book the visibility it deserves.

Metadata: The Skeleton Key to Book Discovery

Let us break this down without the jargon.

Metadata is the behind-the-scenes information that tells systems—and by systems, I mean Amazon, Google Books, library catalogs, retail POS systems, search engines, you name it—what your book is.

It includes:

  • Title
  • Subtitle
  • Author name
  • Series title
  • ISBN
  • Description
  • BISAC categories (more on this in a second)
  • Keywords
  • Publisher
  • Publication date
  • Language
  • Format (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook)
  • Price
  • Rights and territory info

Now, to you, all of this might sound like a bunch of admin nonsense. But to the algorithms and databases that power book discovery across the planet, this is the lifeblood of your book’s identity.

Without good metadata, your book is like a classified file locked in a drawer in the back of a warehouse with no label. Even if someone wants what you have written… they cannot find it.

Survey Says: Metadata Is Not on Most Authors’ Radar

When I asked first-time authors what kept them up at night, I got a slew of answers:

  • “How do I get reviews?”
  • “Do I need to hire a publicist?”
  • “What’s the best marketing plan?”
  • “How do I get my book into bookstores?”

Hardly anyone mentioned metadata. And I get it—it is not sexy. It does not feel creative. It sounds like something your web developer should handle.

But here is the kicker: if your metadata is wrong, sloppy, or incomplete… every marketing effort you make will be swimming upstream in a current you cannot control.

And if it is optimized? The system starts working for you. Discovery becomes organic. Your book starts surfacing where it is supposed to—on the screens and shelves of readers who are looking for it.

Metadata in Action: The Power of a Few Words

Let me give you a real-world example.

I once consulted with a first-time nonfiction author who had written a fantastic guide on remote work strategies for creative teams. Great concept. Timely topic. Solid writing.

The problem?

The keywords in the metadata were “career,” “office,” and “professional advice.” The BISAC categories were set to “Business & Economics / General.”

That is like shelving a vegan cookbook in the automotive section of a bookstore. It does not matter how good it is—no one is browsing there for what it is.

We adjusted the metadata: added keywords like “remote work,” “telecommuting,” “distributed teams,” “creative collaboration,” and “virtual office.” Then we changed the BISAC code to “Business & Economics / Workplace Culture” and added a secondary code for “Computers / Internet / Web Applications.”

Boom.

Within weeks, her book started ranking in relevant Amazon categories, climbing keyword searches, and getting picked up by blogs and podcasts interested in the topic.

Let Us Talk BISAC

You might be wondering what “BISAC” stands for. It is short for Book Industry Standards and Communications, and the BISAC Subject Headings are how retailers and libraries categorize your book.

These codes are hierarchical. So choosing “Fiction / Romance / Contemporary” tells the system a lot more than just slapping on “Fiction / General.”

You can usually assign one main BISAC and one or two secondary codes. Pick them strategically. Study bestselling books in your niche and see what codes they are using (you can often find this by checking publisher info or using metadata tools).

Pro tip: Do not try to trick the system by miscategorizing just to hit a less competitive category. Amazon and other platforms will penalize books that are miscategorized or flagged by users.

Metadata for Amazon: Playing in the Big Arena

Love it or hate it, Amazon is the dominant player in online book sales. So, you’d better believe that their Metadata game is tight.

When you publish through KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), you are asked for:

  • 7 backend keywords
  • Up to 2 categories
  • A subtitle (optional but HIGHLY recommended)
  • A product description

Those backend keywords are gold. Think like a reader. What would someone type in the search bar if they were looking for a book like yours?

Avoid single words like “fiction” or “memoir.” Instead, use phrases like:

  • “historical romance set in World War II”
  • “how to start a podcast for beginners.”
  • “plant-based diet cookbook for athletes”

Also: Use all 7 fields. Amazon does not repeat terms across them, so leaving one blank is wasted space.

Metadata Is not “Set and Forget”

One of the biggest mistakes I see authors make?

They treat metadata like a checklist item during upload—and never touch it again.

But metadata isn’t static. It is fluid. It can evolve based on how readers are discovering your book, what’s trending, and what content is resonating.

You should be revisiting your metadata every few months. Use your sales dashboard, keyword tools, or even Google Trends to adjust and fine-tune.

Try A/B testing different descriptions. See if updating your subtitle helps with click-through rates. Monitor category rankings.

Think of it like SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for your book. Because… well… it is.

The Description Dilemma: Where Copywriting Meets Metadata

Here is a secret: your book description is part of your metadata.

And yet, most authors throw together a few sentences that read like the back of a VHS tape from the ’90s. You must sell the story, not summarize it.

Use compelling language. Lead with the hook. End with a CTA (Call to Action): “Scroll up and click buy now.”

Nonfiction? Speak to the pain point. What problem are you solving? Why are you the expert?

And use keywords naturally. Do not stuff them in like you are trying to game the system, but do include relevant terms that match the reader’s intent.

Metadata and Libraries

Let’s talk libraries. If you want your book to be in library catalogs (especially public or academic), metadata is non-negotiable.

Libraries use systems like MARC records and metadata platforms like WorldCat and LibraryThing. If your metadata is a mess, your book may be virtually invisible—even if it is technically “available.”

Make sure your ISBN is clean, your title and subtitle match across platforms, and that your publisher info is consistent.

Also, consider registering your title with services like Bowker (if you are in the U.S.) or Nielsen (in the U.K.), and submit your title to bibliographic databases like Books in Print.

Tools That Make Metadata Easy

You don’t have to do this all manually. Here are some tools I recommend:

  • Publisher Rocket: Great for Amazon keyword research and category insights.
  • K-lytics: Market research tool for indie authors.
  • Google Trends: See how topics are trending over time.
  • ISBN.org: For registering ISBNs and managing title info.
  • IngramSpark’s metadata checklist: Even if you do not use IngramSpark, this is a good reference.

Final Thoughts from The Book Kahuna

Look, I get it. You did not get into this to become a data analyst. You got into this to tell stories, share expertise, and put your voice into the world.

But in the publishing world we live in today—especially the digital one—metadata is the bridge between your book and your reader. It is the signal that cuts through the noise.

As someone who is spent 40 years in this business, I can tell you: the authors who embrace the “business” side of publishing—metadata included—are the ones who rise above the rest.

So, take the time. Learn the tools. Optimize what you have already built. Because the work does not stop at “The End.” That is where the real journey begins.

Now make your book discoverable.

– Don Schmidt
The Book Kahuna

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