At a recent publishing workshop, an attendee asked me a simple question: “What is metadata for a book?”
I was caught a bit off guard. My quick answer was, “It’s keywords, categories, and the book description (blurb or synopsis).” But in truth—it’s much more than that.
What Exactly Is Book Metadata?
There are plenty of explanations online, but I like how Google defines it. They break book metadata into four main types:
Bibliographic: Includes the title, subtitle, author, series information, and ISBN.
Descriptive: Provides context about the book’s content, such as the book description, keywords, genre (like BISAC or Thema codes), and target audience.
Structural: Covers the book’s physical or digital details—page count, trim size, file format, or runtime for audiobooks.
Marketing: Focuses on information used to promote the book—author bios, endorsements, awards, and related titles.
A Metadata Sandwich?
In 2021, I attended IBPA’s Publishing University, where Kelly Peterson, Director of Digital Strategy at IPG, gave an excellent presentation on book metadata—still relevant today.
She compared good metadata to a sales sandwich, with each ingredient representing a key element of your book’s marketing mix:
Back cover copy – the meat
Pre-release endorsements and reviews – the bread
Series information – the spread
Comparable (comp) titles – the garnish
Amazon search optimization – the menu board
A great metaphor for how all these parts work together to make your book appealing and discoverable.
Do Your Research
Each of these “ingredients” should be researched carefully. Authors need to understand where their book fits in the vast universe of publishing—what similar books exist, who their target readers are, and which keywords or categories best describe their work.
What If I Don’t Have a Series?
New authors may not have a series—at least not yet—and that’s perfectly fine. Start with the basics: bibliographic and descriptive metadata. Build a strong foundation, and the rest can grow with your career.
The Behind-the-Scenes Hero
Metadata is often called the behind-the-scenes hero of publishing—and for good reason. It influences every stage of a book’s lifecycle and affects how readers discover and experience your work.
One of my favorite takeaways from a metadata guide said it perfectly:
“Metadata enhances discoverability. It makes books easier to find for potential readers, which increases their chances of being purchased and read.”
In Conclusion
Metadata is a must for every author. Because the publishing industry evolves constantly, authors should revisit and update their metadata regularly—especially the book description, keywords, and categories. Even small updates can improve visibility and boost sales.