Metadata is all the identifying information for your book. For example:

• your book title (and subtitle, if you have one)

• series name

• the book’s edition (first, second, third, etc.)

• author and contributors

• number of pages

• ISBN (if you have one)

• book description

• keywords

• categories (from the BISAC system of cataloguing books)

• genre and/or age range

• price

Most of this seems like a no-brainer, but keywords and categories are particularly important if you want to make sure your book finds its audience.

Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur is an absolute GEM when it comes to learning everything you ever wanted to know about metadata. Visit his website, and consider purchasing Publisher Rocket ($97 USD one-time fee) to help you find keywords. There are other programs out there that offer this same service; refer to my Resources page and/or my free downloadable PDF for a list of keyword programs. I am recommending Publisher Rocket only because I’ve used it myself.

From the IngramSpark website, about BISAC codes:

BISAC subject codes are essentially genre codes. These codes are intended to guide shelving, categorization, merchandising, and marketing efforts. BISAC codes help signal to potential buyers, retailers, distributors, and search engines what your book is about – the primary genre(s), topic(s), and theme(s) that matter in regards to your book. Without these codes, readers and those within the industry cannot identify what your book is about or if they’d like to stock or read it.

For more information about the Amazon KDP metadata requirements: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202105800

Don’t let metadata freak you out. It is manageable once you learn how to fill in all that information. Also, don’t be afraid to switch up your keywords and categories if your books aren’t selling.

Check my list of educational resources on the Resources page for places to go to learn a ton about metadata. Dave Chesson, David Gaughran, Mixtus Media, Joanna Penn, and Written Word Media are all terrific places to start!