Most self-published non-fiction authors publish without doing Amazon book market research for non-fiction authors. You skip the research phase and your book gets lost among millions of titles. Your sales stall. Reader reviews never materialize.
This doesn’t have to be your story.
Market research changes the outcome. When you conduct proper research before publishing, you know exactly who reads your book and why. You understand which keywords buyers search for. You position your book in categories where it ranks. You price competitively.
This article covers the research process you need. You’ll learn how to analyze competitor books, identify reader demand, and validate your book concept before you hit publish.
Why Market Research Matters for Non-Fiction Authors
Most non-fiction authors skip this step entirely. They write a book, upload it to Amazon KDP, and hope readers find it. This approach fails more often than it succeeds.
Published without data, your book competes against thousands of similar titles. You don’t know what keywords readers search for. You don’t understand which categories have real demand. You price your book based on guessing, not facts.
Your book’s success depends on reaching the right readers. Amazon’s algorithm rewards books with strong initial performance. Books that sell quickly in the first weeks rank higher in search results. Books that don’t gain traction get buried.
Market research informs every publishing decision you make. It answers these questions:
• Who actually wants to read my book?
• What keywords do they search for?
• How many competitors exist in my space?
• What price do readers expect?
• What gaps can I fill that competitors miss?
The first question—identifying your ideal readers—is foundational to everything else. If you need help with this crucial step, our guide on how to identify target audience for non-fiction book walks through the complete process of defining and reaching your readers.
Non-fiction requires audience validation. You’re not writing fiction where readers browse for entertainment. Non-fiction readers search for solutions to specific problems. They look for expertise and information. Your book must match what they’re actively seeking.
How to Analyze Competitor Books on Amazon
Your first research step is identifying your direct competitors. Search for books in your topic on Amazon. Note the top 20 competitors in your category.
For each competitor, track this data:
• Amazon sales rank
• Pricing strategy (low and high)
• Average rating and review count
• Publication date
• Keywords mentioned in descriptions
• Cover design patterns
Look at their book descriptions for keyword placement. Notice which words appear in titles and subtitles. Study their pricing strategy. Are they pricing at $9.99 or $2.99? Why?
Examine customer reviews for gaps you can fill. Negative reviews reveal what readers wanted but didn’t get. Positive reviews show what worked well. A competitor’s weakness becomes your advantage.
Search for books in your topic on Amazon and study the top performers. Review their sales rank numbers. Higher sales rank (lower number) means more sales. A book ranked at 5000 in its category sells more books than one ranked at 50000.
Look at review counts. A book with 500 reviews sold significantly more copies than a book with 50 reviews. This gives you a sense of realistic sales expectations.
Study cover design patterns. Readers judge books by covers. Notice colors, fonts, and imagery in your category. Are covers minimalist or busy? Are they photo-based or graphic-based?
Check publication dates. Some categories favor newer releases. Others maintain consistent sales for older titles. Evergreen topics sustain sales year after year. Trend-based topics spike and decline.
Research Keywords Your Readers Actually Search
Your readers use specific search terms on Amazon. Your job is finding those terms and using them strategically.
Start with Amazon’s search bar autocomplete. Type your topic and watch what appears. Amazon shows search suggestions based on what readers actually search for. These suggestions represent real demand.
Check “customers also search for” on competitor book pages. Scroll to the bottom of any competitor’s book page and you’ll see a section showing related searches. These are keywords readers combine with your topic.
Research keywords with moderate search volume and low competition. High-volume keywords are competitive. Low-volume keywords might not have enough readers. Middle-ground keywords often offer the best opportunity.
Focus on long-tail keywords (4-6 word phrases). Instead of “productivity,” search for “productivity tips for busy professionals.” Long-tail keywords are less competitive and attract readers with specific intent.
Test keywords in your book title and subtitle. Your title is the most important real estate for keywords. If your keyword is “anxiety management for women,” work it into your title.
Layer keywords throughout your metadata. Use them in your subtitle, book description, and author bio. Repetition signals to Amazon what your book is about.
Tools for keyword research on Amazon:
• Amazon KDP keyword research in Author Central
• Google Trends for topic popularity
• Public KDP bestseller lists
• Amazon search bar autocomplete suggestions
• “Customers also search for” section on competitor pages
Evaluate Category Performance and Rankings
Non-fiction categories vary significantly by reader demand. Some categories have intense competition. Others have passionate but smaller audiences.
Choose your categories strategically. Amazon allows two categories per book. Research both before deciding. Some categories rank faster than others.
Ranking in the top 100 of your category requires specific sales velocity. A book needs more sales to rank top 100 in “Personal Development” than in “Beekeeping.” Smaller categories rank faster with fewer sales.
Review how long competitor books maintain their rankings. Visit the bestseller list in your category weekly. Track which books stay in the top 100 consistently. Books that appear and disappear quickly had short sales spikes. Books that maintain positions have sustained reader interest.
Seasonal topics spike during specific months. A book about New Year’s resolutions sells more in January. A book about holiday entertaining sells more in November and December. Evergreen topics maintain consistent sales year-round.
Take these steps to research category performance:
- Browse your category on Amazon
- Note the top 10 books
- Check their publication dates
- Review their review counts
- Identify ranking patterns
- Check back weekly and track changes
- Note which books rise and fall
Notice if new releases appear in top rankings. Some categories favor fresh releases. Others reward books with established track records.
Mine Reader Reviews for Insights
Competitor reviews show what readers want. Read the top reviews marked “most helpful” on competitor books.
Negative reviews highlight book gaps. If three competitors’ reviews mention “not enough examples,” readers want more examples. Your book can deliver what they’re asking for.
Positive reviews show what worked well. If reviews praise “easy-to-follow steps,” you know readers value clear structure and actionable content.
Look for repeated themes across multiple reviews. One complaint might be an outlier. Three similar complaints signal a real market need.
Track specific pain points readers mention. A review that says “this book is too theoretical” tells you readers want practical application. Another that says “too basic for someone with experience” tells you advanced readers exist and want deeper content.
Identify solutions competitors missed. If reviews consistently ask for more case studies, templates, or worksheets, you found a differentiator.
Your review analysis process:
• Read top reviews marked as helpful
• Note common themes
• Track recurring complaints
• Document reader suggestions
• Identify positions you can claim in your book
• Look for specific requests (templates, checklists, worksheets)
• Count how many reviews mention similar issues
• Assess whether you can address those gaps
Spend time reading at least 50 reviews across five competitors. This takes an hour but reveals genuine reader expectations.
Ready to Get Your Book in Front of More Readers?
You’ve learned how to research your market, analyze competitors, and understand what readers actually want. Now it’s time to put that knowledge into action and get your book discovered by readers who are actively looking for their next read.
DailyBookList is a book promotion email service that sends daily recommendations to thousands of engaged book lovers. Unlike BookBub and other major services that focus primarily on fiction, DailyBookList specializes in non-fiction books. When you submit your non-fiction book to DailyBookList, it gets featured in promotional emails sent directly to readers interested in your genre. This helps you build reviews, boost visibility, and grow your reader base.
Ready to reach more readers? Submit your non-fiction book to DailyBookList at https://dailybooklist.com/authors and start building the momentum your book deserves.
Leave a Reply