A+ Content Tutorial
Introduction and Overview:
A+ Content is a powerful way to enhance your Amazon book listings, giving you the ability to add eye-catching images, formatted text modules, and comparison charts below your book’s standard description. By crafting well-designed A+ Content, you can showcase your author brand, highlight the unique elements of your book, and potentially boost your conversion rates by helping readers visualize or connect with your work before they buy. Best of all, this feature is free for KDP authors to use, making it an excellent tool to help your listings stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Step 1: Log in to Your KDP Dashboard
Start by going to kdp.amazon.com and signing in with your Amazon account credentials. From your “Bookshelf,” you’ll see all your published and draft titles. This is the administrative center where you can upload and manage books, access marketing tools, and edit your account details. Not gonna lie, this is one of the worst designed and least intuitive features I have seen Amazon KDP come out with. It’s almost like they don’t want you to succeed.
You’re looking for this, in case you’re already lost. The thing on the left goes to a tutorial on the main site and has nothing to do with you or your books. Nice.
Step 2: Access the A+ Content Manager
Once logged in, look for either a “Marketing” tab at the top or a “Promote and Advertise” link next to your book in the Bookshelf. Depending on your region, you’ll see an option labeled “A+ Content” or “A+ Content Manager.” Click it to open the dedicated A+ Content section. This is where you’ll build and manage the enhanced content you want to display on your book’s product page.
Step 3: Choose Your Marketplace
In the A+ Content Manager, a dropdown menu appears, allowing you to select the marketplace (e.g., Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, etc.) where you’d like your A+ Content to be shown. It’s generally best to begin with your primary marketplace—the one where you make the most sales—though you can easily replicate your finished A+ Content for additional marketplaces later on.
Step 4: Create Your A+ Content
After selecting the marketplace, click the button that says “Start creating A+ content” or “Create A+ Content.” You’ll be prompted to give your new A+ Content a name (this is just for your reference and won’t be visible to customers), so make it descriptive enough to identify easily if you create multiple versions over time. Once you’ve named it, you’re ready to build the modules that will display beneath your book’s product description.
Step 5: Select a Module Layout
Amazon provides various types of modules, such as Standard Image & Text, Standard Multiple Image & Text, Standard Comparison Chart, Image Carousels (if available), and more. Each module has specific requirements and can serve a different purpose. You might choose a single banner image if you want a large, eye-catching introduction, or you might opt for a comparison chart to showcase multiple titles in a series. You can also mix and match modules: for example, start with a banner to grab attention, follow with a text-heavy module to explain more about the book, then conclude with a comparison chart of other titles you’ve written.
Step 6: Uploading Images & Adding Text (Expanded in Paragraph Form)
Creating and inserting images is one of the most challenging aspects of building A+ Content, yet it’s also what makes your listing visually appealing and memorable. After choosing a module—such as Standard Image & Text—you’ll see designated fields for both images and text. First, you should plan out what each image is meant to convey. Do you want a single large banner that instantly sets the tone for your book? Do you want multiple images that highlight various features, themes, or even behind-the-scenes content? Consistency in style, color palette, and subject matter can help create a cohesive and professional appearance throughout your A+ Content.
Amazon enforces certain technical guidelines for these images, so it’s important to review them carefully. Typically, JPEG or PNG files are acceptable, with a maximum file size of around 2 MB. You’ll also want to ensure your images are at least 300 dpi for clarity. Each module lists recommended dimension ranges (for instance, a banner might be 970 x 300 pixels), and you should stick closely to those guidelines to avoid pixelation or cropping issues. Always check the module’s “Learn More” link or documentation to confirm the correct dimension and size limits before you begin designing.
When it comes to actually creating images, authors can use free or paid design tools. A tool like Canva offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface with built-in templates, while more advanced users might turn to Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator for in-depth control. Free open-source software like GIMP can also work well if you’re on a budget but still want advanced editing capabilities. Stock photos and fonts can help you set the right mood for your book, and you can incorporate your own photography if you’d like to show off a recipe from your cookbook or a snippet of your illustrated children’s story. Just remember to keep text embedded in images to a minimum or in a large, readable font so that it still looks good on mobile devices.
You can place text either within the image itself or in the text fields Amazon provides. Text baked into an image might risk being too small or unreadable on mobile screens. Additionally, because Amazon can’t detect or resize text that’s inside an image file, you should limit such text to short, impactful phrases. For everything else—like descriptions of the content, short quotes, or an introduction to your book—take advantage of Amazon’s dedicated headline and body text fields, which are more mobile-friendly and accessible. Once you have your images and text ready, click the “Upload Image” button in the module to place your file. Then, fill in the headline and body text fields with brief, engaging descriptions or commentary. Consider adding a call to action, such as “Discover the secrets of…” or “Delve into a world of magic and mystery,” but avoid using promotional language like “Buy now for $9.99!” since Amazon’s rules prohibit direct price references, review quotes, or star ratings in A+ Content.
Before finalizing, it’s vital to preview the module, checking that text appears correctly and that images are properly aligned. You’ll want to test how it looks on both desktop and mobile views if possible. Pay attention to cropping, scaling, and whether all key visual elements are obvious at a glance. If needed, return to your design tool to make any tweaks, such as enlarging text or adjusting the crop on your book cover image, then re-upload until you’re satisfied. Once everything in your module looks the way you’d like, proceed to either add more modules or finalize the layout so you can attach it to your ASINs.
Step 7: Arrange and Finalize Your Modules
After you’ve inserted and previewed your images and text, you can rearrange modules by dragging them up or down in the editor. The sequence in which modules appear can make a big difference—often you’ll start with something visually striking, then follow with explanatory modules that highlight features, and finish with a comparison chart or a concluding statement. When you’re done, preview the entire layout from top to bottom to ensure it makes sense and conveys the message you want to share about your book.
Step 8: Apply to ASINs/Books
Once the modules are complete and you’re satisfied with their order and design, scroll down to the section where you apply the content to one or more specific books. Enter the ASIN (or 10-digit ISBN) of your KDP title. You can do this for multiple books if you’re creating a universal design for a series or a set of related titles. Confirm that each book is correctly recognized, then save your changes.
Step 9: Submit for Approval
When you’re ready, click the “Review and Submit” button. You’ll see a final preview of your A+ Content. Double-check for typos, formatting issues, or image glitches. If everything looks good, submit it for Amazon’s review. Typically, Amazon takes 24 to 72 hours to review your A+ Content for compliance, and once approved, it may take another day or two for the content to appear under the “From the Publisher” or “Product Description” section of your book’s listing.
Step 10: Monitor and Update
After approval, your A+ Content is live for readers to see. However, your work doesn’t necessarily end there. It’s good practice to revisit your A+ Content periodically, especially if you’ve released more books in a series or if your branding changes. You can add new modules, refresh images, or rewrite text to highlight new accolades, making sure your listing remains up-to-date. If Amazon rejects your submission, don’t worry: they’ll usually indicate the reason, which often involves disallowed language (such as mentioning star ratings or pricing). Simply correct those issues and resubmit.
Best Practices and Tips
Try to maintain a cohesive look throughout all A+ modules by using matching color palettes and consistent fonts that tie into your book covers or author brand. Keep important elements like headlines large and clear enough to read on a mobile device, and don’t overload images with too much text. Provide real substance in your text fields rather than repeating the same phrases from your book description. Always abide by Amazon’s rules: avoid referencing price, promotions, or customer reviews, and steer clear of external links that direct readers away from Amazon. Finally, consider rotating or updating your A+ Content over time to keep it fresh and to gauge what resonates best with readers.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can make your KDP listing far more appealing than a standard text-only description. Attractive images, organized text, and thoughtful design can help readers better understand your book’s content, tone, and style. This, in turn, builds trust and can encourage more conversions. With regular updates and attention to quality images, A+ Content offers a tremendous opportunity to convey your author brand and stand out in the bustling world of online book retail. Good luck and happy publishing!