Mastering Metadata: How to Avoid KDP Account Suspension

Navigating the Amazon KDP platform can be tricky, especially with recent increases in account suspensions. If you’ve been caught in this storm, you’re not alone. Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur , among others, has shared valuable insights into the reasons behind these suspensions and, most importantly, how to avoid them by mastering your book’s metadata. We’ve read through Amazon’s KDP Meta Data Guidelines and put together a detailed guide on how to ensure your metadata is spot-on to keep your KDP account in good standing.

An important note:

Amazon doesn’t publicly disclose the percentage of authors who have had their KDP accounts suspended. However, it’s important to note that suspensions are relatively rare and typically occur due to specific, identifiable violations of Amazon’s guidelines. Authors who carefully follow Amazon’s criteria, generally have nothing to worry about. Our blog post intends not to instill fear of suspension (we all have enough anxiety to deal with, as it is!) but to provide clear and actionable advice to help authors avoid potential pitfalls. We understand that these guidelines can sometimes seem overwhelming, and our goal is to break them down into manageable steps to ensure your publishing experience is smooth and successful.

Understanding Metadata and Its Importance

Metadata is the backbone of your book’s listing on Amazon. It includes your title, subtitle, keywords, categories, and description. Getting these elements right is crucial because Amazon’s algorithms use them to decide if your book meets their guidelines. Violations here are a common reason for account warnings and terminations.

Key Metadata Guidelines to Follow

1. Title and Subtitle

   • Match the Cover: Ensure the title and subtitle in your metadata match exactly what appears on your book cover. If you include a subtitle in the Title Meta Data, that subtitle must appear on the book cover. Any discrepancy can lead to a flag. Keep them consistent. 
   • Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Do not repeat generic keywords like “book” or “gift” excessively in your title in an attempt to keyword stuff your listing. Stick to the actual title of your book.
   • No Unauthorized References: Avoid using names of other authors, books, or trademarked terms unless you have explicit permission.

2. Keywords

   • Relevance is Key: Use keywords that accurately describe your book’s content. Misleading keywords can confuse readers and Amazon’s system.
   • Avoid Promotional Terms: Do not use terms like “bestselling,” “free,” or other promotional language in your keywords.

3. Categories

   • Be Accurate: Select categories that truly reflect your book’s genre and content. Misclassification can result in a poor customer experience and potential flags.
   • Avoid Misleading Combinations: Ensure the categories align with the other metadata, like your description and keywords.

4. Description

   • Truthful and Clear: Your book description should be an accurate and engaging summary of your book’s content. Do not include irrelevant information or make false claims.
   • No Personal Information: Avoid including phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal contact details in your description. Yes, this happens. 

5. Book Cover

   • Avoid Misleading Images: Do not use images that could mislead readers about the book’s content.

6. Author Name

   • Consistency and Accuracy: Use the same author name consistently across all your books and ensure it’s correctly entered in the metadata.

7. Books in Series

   • Create a Series Page to link all books in a series.

Common Metadata Mistakes to Avoid

1. Copyright and Trademark Violations

   • Using copyrighted material or trademarked names without permission is a major red flag to Amazon. Always ensure you have the right to use all elements included in your metadata.

2. Incorrect Book Cover Titles

   • Ensure that both the title and subtitle on your book cover are included and match exactly what you entered in your metadata.

3. Misleading Information

   • Avoid making claims in your metadata that could mislead readers. This includes targeting other books or authors without permission.

4. Sexual Content Labeling

   • If your book contains sexual content, it must be properly labeled. Failure to do so can result in immediate termination. Err on the side of caution here. 

5. Confusing Information

   • Ensure there’s no conflicting information between your book’s categories, keywords, and description. Consistency is crucial. For example: Your steamy romance shouldn’t have references to “sweet contemporary romance” in your metadata.  

Checklist to Keep Your Metadata in Check

• Review Amazon’s Metadata Guidelines Regularly
• Ensure Titles and Subtitles Match the Book Cover
• Use Accurate and Relevant Keywords
• Select Appropriate Categories
• Write Clear and Honest Descriptions
• Double-Check for Copyright and Trademark Compliance
• Label Sexual Content Properly
• Maintain Consistency Across All Metadata Elements
• Monitor Email for Any Communications from Amazon

What to Do if Your Account is Terminated

If you find your account terminated, follow the steps in this blog post to appeal and get your account reinstated.

Conclusion

Ensuring your metadata complies with Amazon’s guidelines is essential to maintaining a healthy KDP account. By paying attention to these details, you can avoid common pitfalls that lead to account suspensions. Keep your metadata accurate, relevant, and consistent to sail smoothly on your self-publishing journey.