Best SEO keywords for authors might not be the most thrilling part of your writing career—but if you're serious about getting your work seen and sold online, it’s the foundation.
You could have the most compelling book or website in the world, but if no one can find it? You're leaving readers—and revenue—on the table!
In this post, I’m breaking down exactly how to uncover the right keywords for authors, where to use them, and why things like website design and copywriting aren’t just “extras”—they’re the non-negotiables to getting a website that sells for you.
Are you an author looking for done-for-you SEO? Schedule a free discovery call here to discuss SEO options!
What Are SEO Keywords and Why Do Authors Need Them?
SEO keywords are the exact words and phrases your ideal readers are typing into Google, Amazon, or even YouTube when they’re looking for their next read, expert, or resource.
They’re the bridge between your content and the people who actually want it. For authors, keywords aren’t just about traffic—they’re about visibility, discoverability, and sales. Whether you're trying to grow your blog, rank your website, or sell more books, the right keywords help you show up in the places your audience is already searching.
Here’s the kicker: not all keywords are created equal.
For your book listings, you’ll want genre-specific or topic-based phrases (think: best cozy mysteries for fall or mindfulness books for moms).
For your blog, keywords should focus on what your ideal reader wants to learn or explore (like how to write a book synopsis or self-publishing tips for beginners).
And for your website, keywords need to reflect your expertise, audience, and offers—so people can find you and trust you instantly.
If you want to stop being the internet’s best-kept secret, SEO keywords are your ticket to the main stage.
How to Do Keyword Research as an Author
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to find keywords that work—you just need a solid search bar and a little strategy. Here’s how to do keyword research that actually moves the needle (without drowning in tech overwhelm):
1. Start with Google Autocomplete & Related Searches
Type in a phrase like “best fantasy books” or “books about” and see what Google suggests. Those dropdowns? Gold. They’re based on what real people are searching right now. Scroll to the bottom of the page and grab those related search terms too.
Just check out the example below 👇
2. Use Free Keyword Tools
Don’t worry—you don’t need to shell out $$$. Tools like:
Ubersuggest (by Neil Patel) shows volume, competition, and keyword ideas.
Google Keyword Planner (free with a Google Ads account) helps you see what’s trending.
Answer the Public turns one keyword into a sea of questions people are asking (perfect for blog ideas).
Example below is from Ubersuggest 👇🏻
3. Hack the Amazon Search Bar
Amazon isn’t just for shopping—it’s a goldmine for book-specific keywords. Type in “books about” or “how to” and watch the auto-suggestions roll in. These phrases often double as high-intent search terms.
4. What to Actually Look For
Search volume: Are people actually searching for it?
Search intent: Does this keyword match what your reader wants to find?
Competition: If big sites dominate page one, try something more specific (hello, long-tail keywords 👋).
5. Bonus: Use Long-Tail Keywords (Especially If You’re Niche)
Instead of targeting “writing tips” (too broad), go for “writing tips for fantasy authors” or “how to outline a novel in Notion.” Long-tail keywords are more specific, less competitive, and more likely to attract people who are ready to click.
Pro Tip: Create a simple spreadsheet. Drop your keyword ideas in one column, add search volume, intent, and competition next to each—and highlight the juicy ones. Boom. You’ve got a mini keyword strategy built for results.
Top SEO Keywords for Authors (By Category)
Not all authors need the same keywords—and trying to rank for generic terms like “book marketing” or “writing tips” is a fast way to get buried. What you need are intentional, niche-specific keywords that attract your dream readers (or clients). Here’s a breakdown by author type to get you started:
✅ For Fiction Authors
Your readers are searching for experiences—genres, tropes, vibes. These keywords help you connect with exactly what they want.
“best romance novels 2025”
“slow burn fantasy books”
“grumpy sunshine romcoms”
“books like Fourth Wing”
“YA thriller with plot twist”
“spicy fantasy books for women” 💡 Use these on your book pages, blog posts, Pinterest pins, or reader quizzes.
✅ For Nonfiction Authors
Nonfiction readers want answers and transformation. Your keywords should highlight the outcome or topic they’re looking for.
“mindfulness books for moms”
“how to stop people pleasing”
“time management tips for entrepreneurs”
“books on healing childhood trauma”
“how to set boundaries book” 💡 Perfect for blog content, podcast pitches, and book landing pages.
✅ For Self-Published Authors
You’re not just writing—you’re running a business. These keywords will attract readers and other writers who need your insight.
“how to self-publish a book on Amazon”
“self-publishing vs traditional publishing”
“book marketing strategies 2025”
“how to price a self-published book”
“best print-on-demand services for authors” 💡 Add these to blog tutorials, FAQ pages, and social media captions.
✅ For Book Bloggers & Content Creators
If you’re writing about books—or helping others do it—these keywords help grow your platform and attract your ideal audience.
“author blog post ideas”
“how to grow a bookstagram”
“SEO tips for writers”
“best tools for authors 2025”
“how to get more readers on Substack” 💡 Use these in your regular blog posts, YouTube descriptions, or newsletter archives.
Reminder: Always pair your keywords with strong content and clear CTAs. Keywords bring traffic—but copy is what converts.
Where to Use Keywords on Your Website
Finding the right keywords is step one. Step two? Actually using them in the right places so Google—and your readers—know what you’re all about. Here’s exactly where to plug in your SEO keywords across your site (without sounding like a robot):
Homepage: Your homepage is prime real estate. Weave keywords into your headline, intro paragraph, and service or book highlights. Think: “award-winning fantasy author” or “self-publishing coach for writers.”
Author Bio / About Page: This is where people go to get to know you—and where search engines look for context. Drop in relevant phrases like “romance author based in NYC” or “writing coach for women entrepreneurs.”
Blog Content: Blogs are SEO goldmines. Use keywords in:
The title (H1)
Subheadings (H2/H3)
Intro and outro paragraphs
Image alt text and filenames
Naturally throughout the body (no stuffing!)
Book Landing Pages: This is where you sell—so optimize the heck out of it. Use keywords your readers are actually searching for, like:
“books for fans of Colleen Hoover”
“mystery novel with female detective” And don’t forget alt text for book covers and meta descriptions that make people want to click.
Metadata (Titles, Descriptions, Alt Text)
Metadata is behind-the-scenes SEO magic. Your page titles and meta descriptions show up in search results—make them count. Use a target keyword + a clear benefit or hook to boost your click-through rate.
Internal Links and CTAs
Don’t just link to “click here.” Use keyword-rich anchor text that tells Google (and your reader) what they’re clicking to, like “read more writing tips for authors” or “explore self-publishing resources.”
You don’t need to keyword-stuff. You just need to be intentional. Let your keywords support your message—not hijack it.
The Role of Blog Content in Author SEO
Want to know one of the simplest ways to show up on Google as an author? Start blogging—strategically. Google loves fresh content. Every time you publish a new blog post, you're sending a signal that your site is active, relevant, and worth ranking. It’s not just about keywords—it’s about consistently adding value your audience is already searching for.
Blog Post Ideas That Build Your Platform and Rank:
“Behind the Scenes of Writing My [Genre] Book”
“What to Read If You Loved [Popular Title]”
“My Self-Publishing Journey: What I’d Do Differently”
“How I Find Time to Write as a Working Mom”
“The Tools I Use to Outline My Books”
These posts do double duty: They attract new readers and build trust with your existing ones.
An SEO-Friendly Content Schedule (That Won’t Burn You Out)
You don’t need to blog every week to win with SEO. Even two strong, keyword-optimized posts per month can seriously boost your visibility over time.Think quality over quantity:
Use long-tail keywords
Add internal links to your book/shop/contact pages
End with clear CTAs (email sign-up, book purchase, freebie download, etc.)
Reminder: Every blog post is a new door into your brand. So the more you publish—with purpose—the more chances you have to be discovered.
Why a Professionally Designed Author Website Matters for SEO
You can have the best keywords in the world, but if your website is slow, clunky, or hard to navigate? Google (and your readers) will bounce—literally. A professionally designed website isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a powerful ranking factor and trust builder.
Here’s why it matters:
Site Speed: Slow-loading sites get penalized by Google and ditched by impatient visitors. Clean, pro-level design keeps things fast.
Mobile Responsiveness: Most people are browsing on their phones. If your site doesn’t look good on mobile? You’re losing SEO juice and potential readers.
User Experience (UX): Confusing navigation, broken links, and outdated layouts tank your rankings. Search engines prioritize websites that are easy to use and crawl.
Clear Structure: Google needs structure to understand your site. A pro designer will build in logical heading hierarchies, category pages, and menu flows that work for SEO, not against it.
Trust Factor: Let's be real—people judge books by their covers and authors by their websites. A polished, on-brand site helps you stand out and feel credible.
✨ Need a modern, author-friendly website that’s built to convert and get found? Kate Cross at Guided Web Design—Kate designs beautiful, high-converting sites that are optimized from the jump!
Website Copywriting for Authors: Speak to Readers and Search Engines
A beautiful website is great—but if the words don’t work, neither does your site. Too many authors rely on “pretty” copy that sounds poetic but doesn’t connect, convert, or guide readers where they need to go.
That’s where strategic website copywriting for authors comes in: it speaks to your dream readers and tells search engines exactly what you’re about.
Here’s where it really counts:
Homepage
You’ve got seconds to hook someone. Your homepage needs clear positioning, emotionally resonant language, and just enough keyword support to tell both Google and your ideal reader: “You’re in the right place.”
About Page
Spoiler alert: this isn’t your life story. It’s a connection page. It should highlight your “why,” build trust, and show readers how you can help or inspire them—while slipping in strategic keywords along the way.
Book or Offer Pages
This is where the money is. You need bold headlines, juicy descriptions, and clear calls-to-action. Bonus points if your copy is SEO-rich without sounding robotic. Storytelling + strategy = sales.
Blog Posts
Blogs aren’t just for SEO—they’re for thought leadership, audience building, and email list growth. Strategic blog copy blends value, keywords, and intentional nudges toward your offers or newsletter.
Bottom line? Great copy turns browsers into buyers. Readers into raving fans. Search traffic into subscribers.
✨ Need help writing your author site? My VIP Day gets it done fast—in your voice, backed by SEO, and built to convert. Schedule a discovery call here to talk about it!
Common SEO Mistakes Authors Make (And How to Fix Them)
If you’ve been dabbling in SEO and wondering why it’s not working… it might be one of these sneaky mistakes. Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. Here’s what to watch out for (and how to fix it fast):
Ignoring Metadata: If you’re skipping meta titles and descriptions, you’re literally leaving ranking and click-throughs on the table. These are what show up in search results! Write clear, keyword-rich meta titles + juicy descriptions that make people want to click.
Not Blogging or Updating Content: Your website isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it situation. No updates = no fresh signals to Google = lower rankings. Commit to at least one or two blog posts per month—even short, helpful posts work wonders over time.
No Internal Linking: Every post and page should guide your reader somewhere. If your content is a dead-end, you're missing SEO (and conversion) gold. Link to your own related posts, book pages, or services with keyword-based anchor text.
Writing for Robots or Readers (Not Both): Focusing only on Google makes your content dry. Writing only for humans can tank your rankings. Blend both—use keywords naturally, add structure (H1s, subheads), and write content that sounds like you. You don’t need to do SEO perfectly—you just need to do it intentionally. A few smart tweaks can take your content from invisible to found and loved.
Final Thoughts: SEO Is the Secret Weapon for Authors
Your words deserve to be read—and SEO is how you get them in front of the right eyes. With the right keywords, a clear strategy, and content that’s optimized and compelling, you’re no longer just hoping someone stumbles across your work—you’re making it easy to be found.
Start simple. Do some keyword research. Update a few pages. Write that blog post you’ve been sitting on. You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight—but every small step stacks up to big visibility.
✨ Want to get found online and finally have content that actually sells your books (or services)? I offer a one day SEO Sprint service that takes care of all your website optimization for you! Schedule a call here to see if it's right for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
💬 What are the best SEO keywords for authors?
The best keywords are the ones your ideal readers are already searching for. Think genre-specific phrases (“romantic suspense novels”), content-focused keywords (“writing tips for beginners”), and niche topics (“self-publishing advice for moms”). Skip the vague stuff like “books” or “writing” and go specific with long-tail keywords that reflect your audience’s interests.
💬 How do I optimize my author website for Google?
Start by using relevant keywords in your page titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body copy. Make sure your site loads quickly, looks great on mobile, and has a clear navigation structure. Blog regularly, link between your pages, and don’t forget image alt text and proper metadata. Bonus points for submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console.
💬 Is SEO worth it for writers?
Absolutely—especially if you want to grow your audience, sell more books, or attract freelance or consulting opportunities. SEO works for you 24/7, unlike social posts that disappear after 24 hours. It’s one of the most powerful ways to build long-term visibility without burning out on content.
💬 What should be on an author website homepage?
Clarity, connection, and keywords. Your homepage should tell visitors who you are, what you write or offer, and what action they should take next. Include a strong headline, a short intro, links to your books or services, a lead magnet (like a free chapter or resource), and a few SEO-friendly phrases that help Google understand your niche.
💬 How often should I blog as an author?
Aim for 1–2 posts per month to start. Quality matters more than quantity, so make your posts helpful, keyword-optimized, and reader-focused. Over time, a small library of strong blog content can drive serious traffic and help build your platform on autopilot.
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