Amazon A+ content offers an opportunity for self-published authors to create an Amazon detail page that’s visually comparable to what traditional publishers have been creating for years.

Amazon A+ Content allows you to give readers more information through eye-catching images, text, and comparison tables that you add to your Amazon detail page. Publishers have long used this feature to add images and quote graphics with early endorsements in a way that made these editorial reviews pop on the page.

You can do this now, too, no matter what publishing model you’re using.

Where is Amazon A+ content placed?

It’s worth noting that readers have to scroll to find this “bonus” content on a book’s detail page.

In most cases, this content sits below your book’s cover/description and the “products related to this item” feature and above the editorial reviews and product details sections. It’s right smack between them. You can’t miss it when you scroll down.

Getting started

Amazon provides everything you need to know to add A+ content, from the basic “what is it?” to design templates. The information is thorough and, honestly, impressive.

Use these Amazon links to read, learn, and create:

• Amazon A+ Content basics, including answers to frequently asked questions
• Amazon A+ Content Guidelines, including formatting and restrictions/don’t dos
• Create A+ Content with step-by-step instructions
• A+ Content Examples

In theory, this is all you need. But I like to see examples of what my finished product could look like. Amazon does offer a few in that last bullet point link, but I went looking for more.

I asked my book marketing coaching clients and Facebook group members how they’re using it.

Amazon A+ Content examples

Here are a few fiction and nonfiction examples to inspire you. (Click on each image to see it better if necessary.)

The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps for a Greener World by Mary-Kate Mackey and Kathleen Norris Brenzel

Out of Due Season: The First Transit by Benjamin X. Wretlind

Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness by Julie Neustadter and Sandi Schwartz

The Big Book of HR, 10th Anniversary Edition by Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem

A few tips

I always recommend looking for as many examples in your genre or category as possible, especially from traditional publishers, before taking action. This will reveal norms and give you ideas.

When looking at examples, especially from best-sellers in your category, ask these questions:

• What are the top sellers in my niche or category doing with this bonus content?
• What do I see that I like?
• What do I see that I don’t like?
• What do I see that my readers will like?

Make sure your A+ Content adds value. What can you provide in a graphic that will help a reader decide to purchase your book?

Don’t overdo it. Just because you can add five design modules doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Keep your images and design simple and meaningful. Less is more.

Showcase your best selling points. Chances are, it’s not your author bio, which is on the page already. But it might be a stellar editorial endorsement or images from the book – especially for gardening books like the one shown above or cookbooks.

Pay attention to the content restrictions. That seems to be where authors are getting tripped up.

You still need a great cover and description. A+ content isn’t going to help a book with a crappy cover or a description that doesn’t sing. This isn’t a smoke-and-mirrors situation.

Have fun with it! This is a chance to be creative with Canva or another image-creation tool. Give yourself time to experiment and make corrections. There’s no rush, no deadline.

Are you using Amazon A+ Content on your detail page already? Give us a link to your book in the comments so we can see what you’re doing and be inspired!