AI search assistants and retailer recommendation engines are fundamentally reshaping how readers discover books. While keywords, categories, and retailer algorithms still form the foundation of discoverability, modern systems now go far beyond simple matching. Today’s AI-driven search experiences evaluate structured metadata, semantic relevance, reader behavior, and content clarity to interpret intent and surface the most useful results. As conversational search interfaces and smarter retail engines continue to evolve, authors who optimize their listings with precise metadata, strong category signals, and well-structured content are far more likely to appear in recommendations and AI-generated answers. In this new landscape, the most effective mindset is to treat your book like a searchable digital product where clarity, context, and credibility determine visibility.

In recent years, Substack has become a buzzword in publishing and author communities. Known primarily for its newsletter-based platform, Substack gives authors a direct way to reach readers without relying on social media algorithms. But is it the right tool for your author platform? Below, we’ll break down the pros and cons, and share best practices including how integrating YouTube can take your Substack strategy to the next level.

There’s a powerful new connection between book discovery and book sales—and it’s great news for independent authors.

Just in time for Prime Day (July 8–11), Amazon has launched a feature that syncs Goodreads shelves with Amazon shopping lists. That means when a reader adds a book to their Want to Read shelf on Goodreads, that same book now appears in their Amazon browsing experience—front and center when they’re most ready to buy.

For authors, book reviews are more than just feedback from readers—they're a critical component of a book's success. Reviews impact algorithms on platforms like Amazon, influencing potential readers' purchasing decisions. All of this may appear to be common knowledge but did you know reviews even play a significant role in whether retailers choose to stock a title. In this article, we'll explore best practices for generating reviews and dive further into the ways they help promote your book and brand.

Marketing is a constantly evolving landscape, often marked by unpredictable shifts in trends and strategies. At Greenleaf Book Group, our team is dedicated to equipping authors with best practices they can implement independently while also offering services to support the ongoing promotion of their books and brands. In this final Learning Center article of the year, we’ve highlighted four essential strategies and changes to prioritize as you prepare for 2025.

Many authors want the distinction of being labeled an Amazon bestseller but aren't sure how to get there. Trying to become a bestseller can seem like a complicated or elusive process when you're doing it alone. Here are some tips that we’ve learned over the years for how to set yourself up for success when you’re working towards bestseller status.

With the new year rapidly approaching, the Greenleaf Book Group marketing, digital media outreach, and branding teams share the trends they predict will have the greatest impact on the book marketing landscape in 2024.

Photo by Distingué CiDDiQi on Unsplash

With the growth in podcast popularity and consumers growing desire for new ways to consume media, the demand for audiobooks is soaring. According to the Audio Publishers Association, audiobook sales generated $1.8 billion in the US in 2022. This marks the eleventh year in a row the format has seen double-digit sales growth.

With this spike comes demand for more audiobooks, and with more audiobooks comes increased competition for readers' attention. This means in order to get your audiobook in front of the right audience, you need to break through the noise—and the best way to do this is by marketing and promoting the audio version of your book.

The following are ten ways to ensure readers know they have the option to listen to your book as well: