If you’re an author, your work doesn’t end when you finish writing your book. The next challenge is to make sure the people can find it. That’s where SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, comes in. SEO is all about helping your website, blog, or book listings appear higher in search engine results.
Why does this matter? Well, the internet is crowded. Without SEO, your amazing book could get lost in a sea of other titles. But with some simple strategies, you can reach more readers, build your audience, and sell more books. Let’s break it down step by step.
If you read this article that means you are an Author (or writer) or an SEO (work for author).
Then each 2 will be divided into 4 parts:
- Already you are booming on Amazon or Another platform
- You are a new author or you are a new online
And SEOs are:
- Already doing SEO for another author
- You are researching and Interested in Author SEO
Here I will discuss how to do SEO for WEBSITE not for all the platform
Create An SEO strategy
Now dive into the SEO strategy and planning that makes sell for you!
If you think that I just do SEO for my website then it’s good but my personal suggestion is “Don’t miss the opportunities” Like when you are stuck in just website SEO then you will miss Amazon, Goodreads, Etsy, and other SEO opportunities. I don’t say that SEO can’t make sales. Obviously, SEO will land thousands of readers and interested people on your website then it will make Hundreds of sell for your book.
Red Alert: If you think you do SEO this month and it will make sales from the next month, then bad news for you: Sorry Dear! Actually, It’s not like that! SEO is a game of authority and research and it takes time to land results (Like 6 months min) But the Good point is: When it lands the first sale then you don’t need to wait month after month for a sale!
Here is an SEO strategy
- Optimize Your Author’s Website first.
- Keyword Research with Topical Authority
- Create a Content Strategy
- Start Content research And Creation
- Content Optimization (On-page SEO)
- Build a Backling/Link Building strategy
- Start doing Backlink
- Set Up GSC, GA4, and Other tracking to see the performance and Leackings
Find the Right Keywords
What are keywords, and why are they important?
Keywords are the phrases people type into Google when looking for something. That’s it. You don’t need to be overthinking for this.
For authors, the right keywords help connect your work with readers who are searching for books like yours.
Example: You write about history, and more specifically on Islamic history or other. Think Islamic history
Now we will find “what keywords” are people searching and “how many” people are searching. Like: Historical books, more specifically Islamic historical books.
How to Find Keywords:
- Start with your book’s genre: Think about what your readers might search for. For example:
- Fiction: “romance novels,” “fantasy books for teens.”
- Nonfiction: “Repair your credit,” “How to self-publish a book.”
- Use Google: Type in potential keywords and look at the suggestions that pop up.
- Try free tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Answer the Public can give you keyword ideas and show you how popular they are.
- Think long-tail: Instead of general terms like “romance books,” try more specific ones like “paranormal romance books 2025.” Long-tail keywords are less competitive and often bring in readers who are ready to buy.
For example, if you write historical romance, your keywords might include “historical romance author” or “Regency romance books.” By using these in your website, blog, or book descriptions, you make it easier for readers to find you.
Now you have a lot of keywords so let’s jump into the next step: Content Strategy
Note: Experts will tell me about keyword grouping/clustering and mapping. (We will do this in the next step. 🙂 Please, be patient)
Create a Clean and Powerful content strategy
A clean and powerful content strategy ensures that your content is well-structured, valuable, and optimized for both search engines and readers. Whether you’re using AI-generated content or human-written articles, a strong strategy helps maintain consistency, engagement, and growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to building an effective content strategy:
Define Your Content Goals
Before creating content, clearly define your objectives. Ask yourself:
- Do you want to increase website traffic?
- Are you focusing on lead generation?
- Is brand awareness your main goal?
- Do you want to improve user engagement?
Identifying your key goals will shape your overall content plan and guide your strategy.
Understand Your Target Audience
A successful content strategy revolves around knowing your audience. Conduct research to determine:
- Demographics (age, gender, location)
- Interests and preferences
- Pain points and challenges
- Search behavior and content consumption habits
Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and customer surveys to gather data about your audience.
Conduct Keyword Research & Topic Ideation
Keyword research is essential to ensure your content reaches the right audience. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify:
- Primary Keywords
- Long-Tail Keywords
- LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) Keywords
- Trending Topics
I explained it before.
Plan Your Content Structure
A well-organized content plan should include:
- Pillar Content – In-depth guides on broad topics that act as the foundation
- Cluster Content – Supporting blog posts linking back to the main pillar
- Evergreen Content – Timeless, SEO-optimized articles that provide long-term value
- News & Trending Content – Fresh, up-to-date articles on industry trends
Ensure that each piece of content follows a logical flow with proper headings (H1, H2, H3), bullet points, and sub-sections for readability.
Optimize Content for SEO
To maximize reach and engagement, optimize your content using these best practices:
Use SEO-friendly URLs (short and keyword-rich)
Write compelling meta titles & descriptions
Place keywords naturally in headings and body text
Add internal links to relevant blog posts and pages
Use high-quality images & alt text for accessibility
Improve readability with short paragraphs and simple language
Focus on High-Quality & Valuable Content
Content should be more than just words—it should provide real value to your audience. Follow these principles:
- Be Informative: Provide in-depth, research-backed insights
- Be Engaging: Use storytelling, examples, and real-life case studies
- Be Unique: Avoid generic content—offer fresh perspectives and expert opinions
- Be Actionable: Include clear takeaways and CTAs (Call-to-Action)
Regularly update and optimize existing content to maintain relevance and improve rankings.
Essential SEO Concepts
SEO might sound technical, but it’s not as complicated as it seems. Here are the basics:
Title Tags
This is the title that shows up in search engine results. It’s the first thing people see, so it needs to grab their attention. For example, “Award-Winning Mystery Author | John Smith” tells readers exactly what to expect.
Meta Descriptions
This is the little blurb that appears under your title tag in search results. Keep it short and inviting. For example: “Discover thrilling mystery novels by John Smith. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie.”
Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
Headings organize your content and make it easier to read. Use an H1 for your main title, H2 for subheadings, and H3 for smaller sections. Search engines like organized content, and so do readers.
URLs
Your URLs should be short and descriptive. Instead of “/page12345,” use “/romance-books” or “/about-author-name.”
SSL (HTTPS)
This ensures your website is secure, which is something Google prioritizes. If your site isn’t secure, your hosting provider can help you fix that.
Tools to Help You
If you use WordPress, plugins like Yoast SEO can guide you through optimizing your pages. They’ll even tell you if your content is too hard to read or if you need more keywords.
Keyword Placement and Usage
Once you’ve found your keywords, you need to use them strategically. Here’s how:
- In Your Titles: Include your main keyword in your title tags and headings.
- In Your Content: Use keywords naturally throughout your blog posts, book descriptions, and web pages. Don’t overdo it, though—Google can tell if you’re stuffing keywords, and it’ll hurt your rankings.
- On Book Platforms: When listing your book on Amazon or IngramSpark, use keywords in your title, subtitle, and description. For example, if your book is a cozy mystery, make sure that phrase appears in your description.
A good rule of thumb is to write for humans first and search engines second. If your content feels natural and helpful, you’re doing it right.
Optimize Your Author Website
A website is your online home base, and it needs to make a good impression. But it also needs to be easy for search engines to navigate. Here’s how:
Best Practices:
- Mobile-Friendly: More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. Make sure your site looks good on phones and tablets.
- Fast Loading: If your site takes too long to load, people will leave. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you check your speed.
- Clear Navigation: Include these key pages:
- About Me
- Book Listings (with links to buy)
- Blog
- Contact Info
Metadata Matters:
Add alt text to your images (e.g., “Cover of fantasy novel The Silver Sword”). This helps visually impaired users and boosts your SEO.
Real-world example: Many bestselling authors’ websites are clean, professional, and focused on their books. Check out a few and take notes on what you like.
Start Blogging to Attract Readers
Blogging is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website. It’s also a great way to connect with readers. Here’s how to make your blog work for you:
What to Write About:
- Behind-the-scenes stories about your books.
- Writing tips for aspiring authors.
- Reviews of books in your genre.
- Updates about your upcoming releases.
How to Write an SEO-Friendly Blog Post:
- Start with an Outline: Use headings and subheadings to organize your ideas.
- Use Keywords Wisely: Pick one or two keywords and use them naturally in your post.
- Add Images: Visuals make your posts more engaging.
- Link Strategically: Include links to your own pages and to other helpful resources.
- Promote Your Posts: Share them on social media, send them to your email list, and let influencers in your niche know about them.
On-Page and Off-Page SEO
SEO isn’t just about what’s on your website. It’s also about how other sites interact with yours.
On-Page SEO:
- Use keywords in your headings, content, and image alt tags.
- Write high-quality, engaging content that answers readers’ questions.
Off-Page SEO:
- Build backlinks by:
- Guest posting on other blogs.
- Collaborating with book bloggers.
- Sharing your content on social media.
- Link out to valuable resources to show search engines that your content is helpful.
Optimizing for Your Books
If you’ve written a book series or a niche genre, here’s how to stand out:
- Create dedicated landing pages for your book titles and series.
- Use keywords like “cozy mystery series” or “dystopian YA novels” in your descriptions.
- Include reviews and testimonials on your book pages to build trust.
Leveraging Platforms Like Amazon and Goodreads
Platforms like Amazon and Goodreads are SEO goldmines. Here’s how to use them:
- Amazon Author Page: Fill out your bio with keywords and add links to your website.
- Goodreads: Engage with readers by joining groups and answering questions.
- YouTube: Consider uploading book trailers or videos about your writing process. Video content can rank well in search results.
Tracking Your Progress
How do you know if your SEO efforts are paying off? Use these tools:
- Google Analytics: Track website visitors and see which pages are most popular.
- Search Console: Check which keywords people are using to find you.
- Amazon Reports: Monitor your sales and rankings.
Keep an eye on metrics like organic traffic and bounce rates to see what’s working.
Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid
- Keyword Stuffing: Overloading your content with keywords can hurt your rankings.
- Ignoring Mobile Users: Make sure your site looks great on all devices.
- Outdated Content: Regularly update your website and blog to keep things fresh.
Final Thoughts
SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with small steps: research some keywords, update your website, and write a blog post or two. Over time, you’ll build an online presence that makes it easier for readers to find and fall in love with your books. Ready to get started? Let’s make it happen!