How many keywords can I add on KDP?

Up to seven keywords or short phrases. Amazon recommends phrases of 2-3 words in the order a shopper would type them, and tells you to watch the character limit shown in each field.

Should I repeat my title in the keywords?

No. Amazon already indexes your title, subtitle, contributors and categories, and lists that information among the keywords to avoid. Use the slots for words that are not there yet.

Can I use another author's name as a keyword?

No. KDP does not allow references to other authors or their books, or brands you are not authorized to use, and can remove the book if you do.

KDP keyword slot checker

Free, no sign-up. Runs in your browser and sends nothing to us. Not affiliated with Amazon.

KDP gives you seven keyword slots. Fill each with a 2-3 word phrase a shopper would type, and skip words already in your title, subtitle or categories, quality claims like 'best', time-sensitive words like 'new' or 'on sale', Amazon program names like Kindle+ or KDP Select, other authors' names and quotation marks.

Need ideas for what to put in the slots? KDPTop (from the team behind kdp123) shows which categories and phrases are winnable, or see every keyword research tool we list.

What it checks

Words already in the title, subtitle or category names you enter (plurals count as the same word).
Words repeated across slots, which use up space without adding new searches.
Words from Amazon's avoid list: quality claims, sales rank, time-sensitive and promotional terms, Amazon program and brand names, quotation marks, HTML.
Single words, since Amazon recommends 2-3 word phrases.

KDP's help page does not publish a character count per slot, so the checker shows the length without a fixed limit; KDP's form enforces its own.

Questions

How many keywords can I add on KDP?: Up to seven keywords or short phrases. Amazon recommends phrases of 2-3 words in the order a shopper would type them, and tells you to watch the character limit shown in each field.
Should I repeat my title in the keywords?: No. Amazon already indexes your title, subtitle, contributors and categories, and lists that information among the keywords to avoid. Use the slots for words that are not there yet.
Can I use another author's name as a keyword?: No. KDP does not allow references to other authors or their books, or brands you are not authorized to use, and can remove the book if you do.

The rules behind it

Sources

Other free tools

Found a wrong number? Tell us. The code is open on GitHub.