Why Some Books Vanish on Amazon

Today’s Newsletter at a Glance

• Why Amazon’s algorithm behaves like a “reader” and what signals it watches.

• How keywords, categories, and reader behavior affect long-term visibility.

• Practical ways to create sustained engagement that boosts organic ranking.

Hi! I’m Travis Cody, a bestselling author and book-publishing strategist dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and experts turn their knowledge into powerful marketing tools. Through my Million Dollar Author system, I guide clients to create, publish, and promote bestselling books in just 90 days—unlocking new revenue streams, attracting high-ticket clients, and boosting their credibility.

Read on to discover how I help make it happen!

Amazon Algorithm Mastery

Most authors upload their book to Amazon with a hopeful heart and a great story, but very few understand the invisible machinery that determines whether that book becomes discoverable or quietly fades into the background. Amazon’s algorithm isn’t emotional, subjective, or intuitive. It’s a massive data-driven engine that responds to signals, behaviors, and patterns. When you understand what those signals are, you unlock a level of control that most authors don’t realize they have.

A helpful way to think about Amazon’s algorithm is that it behaves much like a curious reader: it watches how people interact with your book. Does your cover stop them mid-scroll? Do they click? Do they read your description? Do they buy? Do they keep turning pages? All of this creates what Amazon sees as momentum. Even actions that feel small...like a reader lingering on your product page or downloading a sample...strengthen your book’s visibility signals. Amazon wants to promote books that appear relevant, engaging, and likely to satisfy a reader. Your job is to create as many opportunities as possible for the algorithm to see your book this way.

Categories and keywords play a far more meaningful role than most authors expect. They are not just labels; they are maps. When you choose the right categories, you position your book in neighborhoods where your ideal reader is already browsing. When you choose precise, reader-intent-based keywords, you help Amazon match your book to real searches instead of generic, overly competitive terms. Think of this as shelving your book in the correct section of a massive library, but also adding subtle indexing that helps librarians recommend it to the right patrons.

Another piece of the algorithm puzzle is sustained engagement. While launch day matters, Amazon cares more about consistent signals over time than a single spike. You can do this with a steady stream of small actions: hosting reader Q&As, sharing excerpts, posting short author notes, encouraging readers to leave thoughtful reviews, and reminding your audience to sample chapters. These small behaviors create the ongoing activity Amazon interprets as genuine interest, which nudges your book upward in organic rankings.

There is also the often-overlooked element of reader satisfaction. Once someone buys the book, the algorithm continues to monitor what happens next. Do they start reading? Do they finish it? Do they return it? While you can’t control every reader’s habits, you can structure your book to improve your odds. Clear chapter openings, early storytelling momentum, and a strong value promise in the introduction help retain readers...which in turn signals to Amazon that your book delivers on what it promises.

Mastering Amazon’s algorithm isn’t about tricks or secret hacks. It’s about alignment: matching your content, your positioning, and your visibility strategies with what readers already want and how Amazon measures their behavior. When you understand the hidden mechanics at play, you can work with the system instead of guessing at what might work. The more intentional your choices, the more discoverable your book becomes.

Stay tuned for more insights and tips from my “All Things Hollywood”, "Bestseller by Design" and the “Million Dollar Author” platform. Your journey to becoming a successful author continues here!

Until next time...

Travis Cody,
Million Dollar Author

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