What Is Author SEO—and Why Does It Matter?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is about making your content visible in search results. For authors, this means being discoverable—whether on Google or Amazon.
But here’s the catch:
Google SEO and Amazon SEO work very differently. Understanding the distinction helps you get more visibility in both places—and ultimately more readers.
📍 Google SEO: Think “Content + Context”
Google SEO is ideal for driving traffic to your website, blog, or lead magnets.
Key Elements of Google SEO for Authors:
- 🔍
- 🧠 Content Relevance: Blog posts, about pages, and landing pages that answer search intent
- 🔗 Backlinks: Other websites linking to your content (boosts authority)
- 📱 User Experience: Fast, mobile-friendly website design
Goal: Show up on the first page of Google when someone searches for a topic related to your books.
🧭 Related: How to Build an Author Website That Converts
🛒 Amazon SEO: Think “Sales + Signals”
Amazon SEO is about ranking inside the world’s largest bookstore.
Key Elements of Amazon SEO for Authors:
- 🧾 Title + Subtitle: Include relevant keywords naturally
- 🖊️ Book Description: Formatted with HTML, includes keywords + hooks
- 🏷️ Keywords: 7 backend keyword slots (important for discoverability)
- 🏆 Categories: Strategic placements increase visibility and ranking potential
- ⭐ Reviews + Sales: Performance signals that boost your placement
Goal: Get your book in front of readers actively looking to buy.
🎯 Related: Choosing the Right Amazon Categories
🧭 How the Two Platforms Work Together
Authors who win long-term visibility don’t choose Google *or* Amazon—they optimize for both.
Here’s how they play off each other:
- 🔗 Google brings readers to your website → opt-in to email list
- 📘 Amazon converts ready-to-buy browsers into book buyers
- 💬 Your blog → links to Amazon → boosts book discovery
🧠 Strategy Tip: Use a blog post to rank on Google and embed your Amazon link to earn affiliate income + boost book visibility.
🛠️ Quick Author SEO Checklist
Use this as your dual-SEO starter plan:
- ✅ Blog post with keywords + optimized meta info (Google)
- ✅ Book description with hooks and HTML (Amazon)
- ✅ Category selection + backend keywords (Amazon)
- ✅ Internal links across your website (Google)
- ✅ Encourage reviews + ratings (Amazon)
📥 Want help setting this up? Download the Author SEO Starter Kit here.
Final Thoughts: Be Found, Be Read
Your success as an author isn’t just about writing—it’s about being found. Mastering both Google SEO and Amazon SEO gives you the best of both worlds: visibility and sales.
Start with one small optimization this week, and build from there.
💡 Need help? Let Author Visibility Studio guide your next steps.