We’re amazed at how often we’re asked about Amazon’s “A+ Content” program – and how it gives KDP’ers lots of valuable marketing tools – but see so few people using it. In fact, I select the examples for these articles by the use of KDP’s default page setup.

Amazon’s A+ Content is a powerful tool that allows authors to enhance their book listings on Amazon, making their books more appealing and informative to potential buyers.

This feature, initially available only to vendors and brand-registered sellers, is now accessible to KDP authors. It offers a suite of options that can significantly boost your book’s visibility, appeal, and ultimately, sales.

Some of the feedback we’ve heard is that the system is not intuitive, nor are the options very clear. If it’s too difficult to use, people won’t use it.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about A+ Content on Amazon KDP, from its benefits to how you can create and optimize it for your books.

What is A+ Content?

A+ Content allows KDP authors to add rich media elements such as images, text, comparison tables, and more to their book detail pages on Amazon. Located in the “From the Publisher” section of a book’s detail page, A+ Content enables authors to better showcase their books, share their author story, and highlight key features of their work. With the recent removal of the “Look Inside” feature for low-content books, A+ Content has become even more critical for providing potential buyers with a glimpse into your book’s interior and enticing them to make a purchase.

Why A+ Content is Essential for KDP Authors

The effectiveness of A+ Content has been proven across various Amazon platforms. Amazon conducted a study involving 100,000 ASINs over 90 days and found that A+ Content resulted in an average sales increase of 5.6%. For KDP authors, this translates into more visibility, better engagement, and potentially higher sales. A+ Content is not just about adding visuals; it’s about creating an emotional connection with your readers and providing them with the information they need to make an informed purchase decision.

Key Benefits of A+ Content

1. Enhanced Visual Appeal: A+ Content allows you to break the monotony of text-heavy book detail pages by adding eye-catching visuals that can include images of your book’s interior, illustrations, or even character designs for fiction books.
2. Improved Reader Engagement: By adding detailed descriptions, comparison tables, and author backgrounds, you can provide readers with more context and information about your book, which can help them make a purchasing decision.
3. Cross-Promotion of Books: A+ Content allows you to include comparison charts that can showcase other books in your series or similar works, encouraging readers to explore more of your offerings.
4. Professional Presentation: With A+ Content, you can present your book in a more polished and professional manner, which can help build credibility and trust with potential buyers.

How to Create A+ Content

Creating A+ Content is a straightforward process, but it requires careful planning to ensure that it aligns with your brand and effectively promotes your book.

1. Accessing the A+ Content Manager

To start creating A+ Content, log in to your KDP account and navigate to the “Marketing” section. Scroll down to “A+ Content” and select your marketplace (e.g., Amazon.com). Click on “Manage A+ Content” to access the A+ Content Manager.

2. Choosing Your Modules

Amazon provides 17 different modules that you can use to build your A+ Content. These modules include options for image headers, comparison charts, image and text overlays, and more. While you can use up to five modules per detail page, it’s often more effective to select three modules that best convey your book’s unique selling points.

Some of the most popular and effective modules include:

• Standard Image Header with Text: Ideal for showcasing your book cover with a compelling headline.
• Standard Three Images and Text: Great for highlighting the interior pages or key features of your book.
• Standard Comparison Chart: Perfect for cross-promoting other books in your series or comparing different editions of your book.

3. Designing Your Content

Once you’ve chosen your modules, it’s time to create the visuals and text that will populate them. Tools like Canva can be incredibly helpful for designing custom images that meet Amazon’s specifications. For instance, if you’re using the “Standard Image Header with Text” module, you’ll need to create an image that is 970 x 600 pixels.

Here are some design tips to keep in mind:

• Maintain Consistency: Ensure that your A+ Content matches the style and tone of your book cover and other marketing materials.
• Focus on High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images (300 DPI) to ensure they appear sharp and professional on all devices.
• Keep Text Concise: Your text should complement the visuals, not overwhelm them. Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and headers to make the content easy to scan.

4. Applying ASINs

After designing your content, the next step is to apply it to your book’s ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). You can apply A+ Content to multiple ASINs, which is especially useful if you have different formats (e.g., paperback, Kindle) of the same book. Simply enter the ASINs you want to apply the content to, and Amazon will link the A+ Content to those detail pages.

5. Submitting for Approval

Once your A+ Content is ready, you can preview it to ensure it looks good on both desktop and mobile devices. If everything is in order, submit it for Amazon’s approval. Amazon will review your content to ensure it complies with their guidelines, and the content should appear on your book’s detail page within eight business days.

Best Practices for A+ Content

To maximize the effectiveness of your A+ Content, consider the following best practices:

• Prioritize Your Audience’s Needs: Your A+ Content should address what your readers care about most. For a children’s book, this might mean focusing on the illustrations and educational value, while for a thriller, you might highlight suspenseful plot points or character development.
• Tell a Story: Use your A+ Content to create a narrative that draws readers in. This could involve sharing your author journey, explaining the inspiration behind your book, or providing a sneak peek into the plot or characters.
• Use a Cohesive Design: All elements of your A+ Content should work together to create a unified look and feel. This means consistent colors, fonts, and imagery that reflect your book’s theme and genre.
• Test Different Modules: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different module combinations to see what resonates best with your audience. Amazon allows you to update your A+ Content, so you can refine it over time.

Conclusion

Amazon’s A+ Content is a valuable tool that can help KDP authors elevate their book listings, connect with readers, and ultimately drive more sales. By taking advantage of the various modules and design options available, you can create a compelling and professional presentation that sets your book apart from the competition. Whether you’re a seasoned author or new to self-publishing, investing time in creating A+ Content is a step that can pay off in increased visibility and reader engagement.