If you're an expert in A+ Content, this might be old news for you. But if you've been putting off adding it to your Amazon book pages for any reason, give this article a quick read.
Unless you never look at your Amazon page (and that can't be you!), A+ Content is extra information that appears below your book description. Unlike your book description or editorial reviews, A+ Content must be added directly through your Amazon account.
I procrastinated on creating A+ Content for quite a while. Between trying to get published—first with a small publisher and then transitioning to self-publishing—and keeping up with the rapid-release cycle (which, for me, means three books a year), I simply didn’t have the time. The hours spent writing, editing, formatting, and producing both ebook and print editions, plus hiring someone to create audiobooks, left me with little energy. On top of that, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with A+ Content. My Amazon page already looked cluttered; would adding more content make it worse?
Last week, I finally decided to tackle it. My goal was to create A+ Content for at least one book and see how it turned out. To my surprise, it wasn’t nearly as difficult as I’d imagined, and I actually think it improved the overall appearance of the page.
If you’re considering adding A+ Content, here are a few suggestions:
Read Amazon’s A+ Content Guidelines:
This will give you a clear idea of what’s allowed. You can't include pricing, promotions, or similar details. However, publication quotes are allowed—up to four, and they must be from well-known publications. Some authors seem to push the boundaries by including more quotes or using IG reviewer snippets, but if Amazon doesn’t approve your submission, they'll let you know what needs fixing so you can resubmit.Youtube has many videos to help you with your A+ Content. These were two that helped me get the swing of things. Mandi Lynn, How to Make A+ Content for Your Self-Published Book Using Canva - Step-by-Step Tutorial and Ivy Hang, Sell More Books on Amazon KDP with A+ Content - Step by Step Tutorial on How to Create A+ Content. I watched both of these and they pretty much explained everything you need to know to get you started. The rest you will definitely figure out as you go.
Read Amazon’s materials on Creating A+ Content
This will equip you with the tools to create A+ Content, but I promise that YouTube videos cover the process quite well. You'll also discover that Amazon offers more templates and modules than the ones Mandi and Ivy used in their videos, so take a moment to scroll down and explore all your options. Remember, you’re not obligated to use every text box in Amazon’s templates—you can customize it to fit your needs.
A program like Canva (or any similar tool) is indispensable for creating your graphics. Of course, if you’re proficient in Photoshop, you may not need Canva at all.
Why Is A+ Content Worth Your Time?
More Control Over Your Page:
A+ Content allows us, as authors, to have a bit more control over how our book pages look on Amazon.Images Sell Books:
Visuals can be more persuasive than text alone. Combining images with a few well-chosen words can effectively convey your message and draw readers in.Some authors on Reddit claim that readers don’t always have time to go through long book descriptions, which is why A+ Content is becoming increasingly important. It presents information in a more digestible, visually appealing format.
Showcase Achievements:
It’s a great place to highlight awards or special recognition your book has received.Highlight Reviews:
If you’ve received a strong review from a reputable source like Kirkus or BookTrib, why not feature a few lines here to grab attention?Boost Engagement:
The longer a potential buyer stays on your page, the more likely they are to purchase. According to Amazon, "A+ content increases sales by 8%, and well-implemented Premium A+ Content can increase sales by up to 20%."
Other Creative Ideas for A+ Content:
Showcase other books in your series.
Introduce key characters from the book.
Include quotes from your characters.
Feature any illustrations or artwork that might be in your book.
And don’t forget to add keywords and tags to your images—these can help drive more traffic to your page.
Does A+ Content Increase Sales?
Only time will tell, but I can share a quick anecdote: hours after my A+ Content went live, I sold four books that same night. It could have been a coincidence, but I like to think it made a difference. At the very least, it’s not going to hurt your sales. As Amazon moves away from the "Look Inside" feature, A+ Content could become an essential way to give readers a glimpse of your book and another reason to hit that buy button.
If you’ve used A+ Content, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you think it impacts reader engagement and sales? And what kinds of content do you include?
On October 15, author Angel Shaw, known for her romance novel Shadowplay, will host an engaging conversation with Dr. J., author of The Fiction Writer’s Sexuality Guide: Sex—It’s More Than a Scene. If you're eager to learn how to build a supportive community and grow your author career, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Angel Shaw, who also penned Oathbreaker and Reverie, saw all three of her books hit the top 100 in new releases for their categories in both the US and UK. Be sure to tune in on the 15th for insights and inspiration!
Sincerest gratitude for sharing this valuable information, Kay. This sounds like something even a relatively "low-tech" author should be able to handle. I hope the A+ Content helps your sales.
Yes, Lenny, it was really easy. I wouldn't lie to you. Watch those two YouTube videos. It definitely helps sales. People do not want to read, they want to look a pictures. I'm thinking the future is romance graphic novel with pictures and one sentence of text. Ha!