Choose Low-Competition KDP Categories Without Guesswork
“We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It’s our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better.” — Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon
Choosing Amazon KDP categories can feel confusing, especially for new indie authors. You’re asked to select categories before your book has reviews, sales data, or momentum. Plus, advice online often sounds contradictory.
Some people say to “go as niche as possible.”
Others say to “aim big and grow into it.”
Many tutorials rely on tools, spreadsheets, or insider tactics that feel overwhelming.
The truth is simpler.
You don’t need secret tricks or paid tools to choose smart, low-competition categories. You need a clear process that helps you understand how Amazon actually shelves books and how to place yours where it can realistically be seen.
This writer’s guide walks you through that process step by step, so you can choose categories with confidence instead of guesswork. It removes the mystery from category selection and gives you a trustworthy, repeatable process.
What “Low-Competition” Really Means on Amazon
Low competition doesn’t mean no competition. It means:
- You’re not competing directly with blockbuster titles
- Your book has a realistic chance to rank
- Readers browsing that category are actually looking for books like yours
A category is “low competition” for you if your book clearly fits and doesn’t have to outperform hundreds of established bestsellers to be visible.
Step 1: Start with Your Book—Not the Category List
Before clicking through Amazon’s category menu, answer three questions:
- What is the primary genre of your book?
- Who is the intended reader (age group, expectations)?
- What is the core promise (adventure, guidance, mystery, transformation)?
If you can’t answer these clearly, category selection will always feel random.
Your book description should already reflect these answers. Categories should confirm, not contradict, the description.
Step 2: Browse KDP Categories Like a Reader
Instead of thinking like a marketer, think like a reader.
On Amazon:
- Search for a book similar to yours
- Click into its category
- Scroll the bestseller list
Ask:
- Do these books feel genuinely similar to mine?
- Would a reader browsing here be happy to find my book?
If the answer is no, even if the category looks “easier,” it’s not a good fit.
Step 3: Look at the Top 10 Books (No Math Required)
You don’t need exact sales numbers. Just observe:
- Are the top books household names?
- Do they have thousands of reviews?
- Are they traditionally published with major visibility?
If every top book looks untouchable, that category may be too competitive right now.
A healthier sign:
- A mix of known and lesser-known authors
- Books with dozens or hundreds (not thousands) of reviews
That’s often where new indie authors can gain traction.
Step 4: Choose Specific Over Broad
Broad categories are crowded. Specific categories give your book room to breathe.
For example:
- “Science Fiction” → very broad
- “Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction Mystery” → more focused
You’re not limiting your audience. You’re helping Amazon understand exactly where your book belongs.
Step 5: Make Sure Your Book Description Supports the Category
This step is often overlooked, and it matters.
After choosing your categories, reread your book description and ask:
- Does it clearly reinforce this category choice?
- Would Amazon see alignment between the description and the shelf?
If not, revise the description slightly to make the category signal unmistakable.
Think of optimizing your book’s description this way:
- AI Search decides whether your book is recommended (intent matching)
- Amazon Search decides where your book competes
Final Thoughts
Category selection is not permanent. You can refine and adjust as your book gains reviews and visibility.
What matters most at launch is clarity, not perfection.
When your categories, description, and reader expectations align, Amazon can do its job, and your book has a much better chance of reaching the right audience.
Once you’ve chosen the right categories, the next step is making sure your book description clearly supports them, so Amazon can place your book exactly where it belongs. Check out our writer’s guide on how to optimize your description for Amazon search..
Low-Competition Amazon KDP Category Checklist
Use this checklist before finalizing your categories:
Fit & Clarity
☐ Your primary genre is clear
☐ Your intended reader is obvious
☐ The category matches your book’s promise
Competition Check
☐ Top books are relevant to your book
☐ Not every top title is a blockbuster
☐ Review counts feel achievable over time
Specificity
☐ You chose focused categories, not only broad ones
☐ The category narrows audience without misleading
Description Alignment
☐ Category language appears in your book description
☐ Amazon could easily confirm the shelf placement
FAQs: Choosing Amazon KDP Categories
Q: What makes a category “low competition” on Amazon?
A: A low-competition category is one where your book fits clearly and doesn’t have to outperform major bestsellers to be visible. It’s about relevance and realism, not the absence of competitors.
Q: Should new indie authors avoid broad categories?
A: Usually, yes. Broad categories are highly competitive. They make it harder for new books to gain traction. Specific categories give your book better visibility early on.
Q: Do I need paid tools to find low-competition categories?
A: No. Browsing categories, reviewing top titles, and evaluating fit can be done directly on Amazon without any paid tools.
Q: How many Amazon categories should I choose?
A: Choose the maximum allowed during setup, but make sure each category genuinely fits your book. Quality matters more than quantity.
Q: Can I change my categories later?
A: Yes. Categories can be updated as your book evolves, gains reviews, or expands its audience.
We hope you found these writer’s guide strategies helpful and inspiring. They’re intended to provide you with the necessary tools and insights to succeed as an indie author.
For more guidance, see other writer’s guides in this series. I suggest starting with the first one: Is SEO Dead? What to Know About GEO and AI Search. You might also like AI Empowers New Indie Authors: 5 Best Hacks.
If you have a draft and want to explore how AI can help you self-publish it, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.
Writing is an ongoing adventure that involves continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go through this alone. We’re happy to guide you every step of the way, providing support and motivation. Our goal is to give you the knowledge and practical advice needed to navigate the world of writing with growing confidence.
Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form.
Happy writing!
