You can add rich images, comparison charts, and author bios directly to your Amazon book listing — for free. It’s called A+ Content, and according to Amazon, it can boost your conversion rate by up to 20%.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • How to access and create A+ Content through your KDP dashboard
  • Which modules work best for fiction and nonfiction books
  • The exact image sizes and specs Amazon requires
  • Common mistakes that get your A+ Content rejected

Here’s how to set it up step by step.

What Is Amazon A+ Content for Books?

Amazon A+ Content is a free feature that lets you add enhanced visual sections to your book’s product detail page. These sections appear under the “From the Publisher” heading on your Amazon listing, replacing the plain-text description with rich media modules.

You can include author photos, book series charts, lifestyle images, and formatted text blocks. The goal is simple: give potential readers more reasons to click “Buy Now” instead of bouncing to a competitor’s listing.

A+ Content is available to any author with a published book on Amazon KDP. You don’t need a special account tier or paid subscription. If your book is live on Amazon, you can start building your A+ Content today.

Why A+ Content Matters for Book Sales

Most self-published authors skip A+ Content entirely. That’s a mistake. Your book’s product page is the single most important piece of real estate in your book marketing plan, and A+ Content transforms it from a plain listing into a branded experience.

Here’s what the data shows:

MetricWithout A+ ContentWith A+ Content
Conversion rate liftBaselineUp to 8% (Basic) / 20% (Premium)
Return rateStandard10-15% lower
Time on pageAverageSignificantly higher
Brand perceptionGenericProfessional and trustworthy

When a reader lands on your book page from an Amazon ad or search result, you have seconds to convince them. A wall of plain text doesn’t do that. A visually rich page with your author photo, series lineup, and curated imagery does.

If your book sells even 50 copies per month, an 8% conversion lift means 4 extra sales — without spending another dollar on advertising. Over a year, that adds up.

How to Access A+ Content on KDP

Getting to the A+ Content Manager takes a few clicks. Here’s the path:

  1. Log into KDP at kdp.amazon.com
  2. Click “Marketing” in the top navigation bar
  3. Scroll to “A+ Content” and select your marketplace (e.g., Amazon.com)
  4. Click “Manage A+ Content” to open the content manager
  5. Hit “Start creating A+ content” in the top-right corner

You’ll see a blank canvas where you can add modules, upload images, and preview your layout before publishing. Amazon currently offers 17 different module types that you can mix and match.

Important: You need at least one published book (print or ebook) on KDP to access A+ Content. Kindle pre-order titles also qualify. You can create one A+ Content project and apply it to multiple ASINs — handy if your book has both paperback and Kindle editions.

How to Create A+ Content Step by Step

Step 1: Choose Your Modules

Amazon gives you 17 modules, but you can use a maximum of five per product page. Don’t feel pressured to use all five. Three well-designed modules often outperform five cluttered ones.

The most effective modules for book authors are:

  • Standard Image and Text — A hero image with supporting text. Perfect for showcasing your book’s theme or setting.
  • Standard Comparison Chart — Side-by-side comparison of books in your series or catalog. Readers love this for discovering more titles.
  • Standard Single Image and Highlights — An image with bullet points. Great for listing what readers will learn (nonfiction) or key themes (fiction).
  • Standard Company Logo — Your author brand or publisher imprint logo.
  • Standard Four Image and Text — A grid layout ideal for showing your full book catalog.

Step 2: Prepare Your Images

Image quality makes or breaks your A+ Content. Amazon has specific requirements:

SpecificationRequirement
File formatJPG or PNG
Minimum resolution72 DPI (300 DPI recommended)
Maximum file size2 MB per image
Standard image width970px (desktop display)
Minimum accepted size600 x 180px
Recommended size970 x 600px (main banner)

Pro tips for author images:

  • Use a professional headshot for your author bio module — not a selfie. This is your Author Central presence.
  • For book mockup images, use cover mockup generators to create 3D renderings of your book.
  • Keep images clean and uncluttered. They need to look sharp on both desktop and mobile screens.
  • Never use the same images from your main product listing gallery. Amazon requires A+ images to be unique.

Step 3: Write Your Copy

Each module allows a limited amount of text. Keep your copy tight:

  • Headline: 5-10 words that hook the reader
  • Body text: 2-3 short sentences max per module
  • Focus on benefits — what the reader gets, not what the book contains

For nonfiction, highlight the transformation your book delivers. For fiction, create atmosphere and intrigue. Your book blurb already sells the plot — your A+ Content should sell the experience.

Step 4: Preview and Submit

Before publishing, preview your layout on both desktop and mobile views. Amazon’s preview tool shows you exactly how your A+ Content will render on different devices.

Click “Submit for review.” Amazon typically reviews and approves A+ Content within 7 business days. If something violates their guidelines, they’ll reject it with a specific reason, and you can fix and resubmit.

Best A+ Content Layouts for Fiction Authors

Fiction readers respond to mood and atmosphere. Your A+ Content should pull them deeper into your world.

Recommended 3-module layout:

  1. Hero Banner — A wide, atmospheric image that captures your book’s genre. Think dark forests for fantasy, city skylines for thrillers, or sun-drenched landscapes for romance. No text overlay needed — let the image speak.

  2. Author Bio Module — Your professional headshot alongside a short bio (50-75 words). Readers buy from authors they connect with. Mention your genre, your inspiration, and where they can find you online.

  3. Series Comparison Chart — If you write in a series, this is your highest-value module. List all books side by side with covers, titles, and one-line descriptions. Readers who finish one book will immediately browse the next.

If you write standalone novels, swap the comparison chart for a “Perfect for fans of…” module using the Standard Image and Text layout. Name 3-4 comparable authors your target reader already loves.

Best A+ Content Layouts for Nonfiction Authors

Nonfiction readers want proof that your book delivers results. Your A+ Content should establish credibility and clarify value.

Recommended 3-module layout:

  1. Key Takeaways Module — Use the Single Image and Highlights format. List 4-5 specific things the reader will learn or achieve. Be concrete: “Build a 90-day marketing plan” beats “Learn about marketing.”

  2. Author Credentials — Your bio module should emphasize expertise. Mention relevant experience, credentials, media features, or results. If you’ve been featured in publications, say so.

  3. Book Catalog Grid — If you’ve written multiple nonfiction titles, use the Four Image and Text module to showcase related books. Readers who trust your expertise in one area often buy your other titles.

Our Pick — Chapter

If you’re writing nonfiction and want to get from idea to published book faster, Chapter helps you outline, draft, and format your book with AI assistance. Over 2,147 authors have used it to create 5,000+ books.

Best for: Nonfiction authors who want a streamlined writing-to-publishing workflow Pricing: $97 one-time Why we built it: So nonfiction authors can spend less time wrestling with blank pages and more time marketing finished books

A+ Content Image Sizes by Module

Getting image dimensions right prevents rejection and ensures your content looks crisp. Here are the most-used module dimensions:

Module TypeImage Size (px)Aspect Ratio
Standard Header Banner970 x 600~16:10
Standard Image & Text300 x 3001:1
Standard Single Image & Highlights300 x 3001:1
Standard Four Image & Text220 x 2201:1
Standard Comparison Chart (per item)150 x 1501:1
Standard Company Logo600 x 180~3:1
Full-width Image970 x 300~3:1

Design tips:

  • Design at 2x resolution (e.g., 1940 x 1200 for the header) and let Amazon downscale. This ensures retina-quality images on mobile devices.
  • Save as PNG for graphics with sharp edges or logos, JPG for photographs.
  • Keep file sizes under 2 MB. Compress with tools like TinyPNG if needed.

What Amazon Won’t Allow in A+ Content

Amazon reviews every A+ submission, and violations get rejected fast. Avoid these:

  • Pricing or promotional language — No “50% off,” “limited time,” or “best value.” Amazon controls pricing display.
  • Competitor references — You can’t mention other publishers or authors by name in comparison charts. Only compare your own books.
  • Customer reviews or testimonials — No star ratings, reader quotes, or “5-star reviews.” Amazon separates editorial content from reviews.
  • External links or contact info — No website URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, or social media handles. Amazon wants traffic to stay on Amazon.
  • QR codes or barcodes — Not allowed in any module.
  • Shipping or fulfillment details — No “free shipping” or “Prime eligible” claims.
  • Animated images — GIFs are prohibited. Static images only.
  • Low-quality or watermarked images — Blurry images, stock photo watermarks, or text that’s unreadable on mobile will get flagged.

You can include up to four endorsement quotes, but they must come from well-known publications or public figures — not readers or private individuals. Each quote must include attribution.

How to Use A+ Content to Sell More Books in a Series

Series authors get the biggest return on A+ Content because the comparison chart module essentially turns your product page into a catalog.

Here’s the strategy:

  1. Create one A+ Content layout that features all books in your series
  2. Apply it to every book’s ASIN — paperback, Kindle, and hardcover editions
  3. Update it every time you release a new book in the series

The comparison chart module lets you display up to five books side by side. For each book, include:

  • The cover image (150 x 150px)
  • The title
  • A one-line hook or description
  • Key details (page count, publication date, or sub-genre)

This cross-selling module alone can increase your read-through rate significantly. When a reader finishes Book 1 and visits the product page for Book 2, they see the entire series laid out — making it easy to buy the next installment or grab the whole collection.

Pair this with strong Amazon keywords on each listing, and you’ve built a discovery engine within your own catalog.

How Long Does Amazon Take to Approve A+ Content?

Amazon typically reviews and approves A+ Content within 7 business days. Most authors report approval in 2-4 days, though it can take longer during peak publishing seasons (November-December).

If your content gets rejected, Amazon will tell you which specific guideline you violated. Common rejection reasons include using promotional language, including external contact information, or uploading images below the minimum resolution.

You can fix the issue and resubmit immediately — there’s no penalty or waiting period for resubmissions. Just address the flagged problem and submit again.

Can You Edit A+ Content After Publishing?

Yes. You can update your A+ Content at any time. Changes go through the same review process (typically 2-7 business days), and your existing A+ Content stays live until the updated version is approved.

Smart authors update their A+ Content when they:

  • Release a new book in a series (update the comparison chart)
  • Get a major media mention or award (update the author bio)
  • Redesign their book covers (update all image modules)
  • Run a seasonal marketing push (refresh imagery to match the season)

Regular updates signal to Amazon’s algorithm that your listing is actively maintained, which can contribute to better search visibility.

Does A+ Content Help with Amazon SEO?

A+ Content doesn’t directly impact Amazon’s A9 search algorithm — your Amazon keywords and categories handle that. But it impacts ranking indirectly through conversion rate.

Here’s the chain reaction:

  1. A+ Content increases your conversion rate (more visitors buy)
  2. Higher conversion rate signals to Amazon that your listing is relevant
  3. Amazon rewards relevant listings with better organic placement
  4. Better placement drives more traffic
  5. More traffic + higher conversion = more sales

So while A+ Content isn’t a direct SEO ranking factor, it’s a conversion optimizer that feeds into Amazon’s ranking flywheel. Combined with solid book marketing and strategic advertising, it compounds your results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using all five modules when three would suffice — More isn’t better. Three focused, high-quality modules outperform five mediocre ones every time.
  • Reusing your product listing images — Amazon requires A+ images to be unique. Create new visuals specifically for your A+ Content.
  • Writing walls of text — A+ Content is visual-first. Keep text blocks to 2-3 sentences. Let images carry the weight.
  • Ignoring mobile preview — Over 60% of Amazon shoppers browse on mobile. Preview every module on the mobile view before submitting.
  • Skipping the author bio — Readers connect with authors, not just books. A professional headshot and short bio build trust and encourage repeat purchases.
  • Forgetting to apply A+ Content to all ASINs — Your paperback and Kindle editions have separate product pages. Apply your A+ layout to every format.

Tools to Create A+ Content Images

You don’t need a graphic designer to create professional A+ Content. These tools work well for self-published authors:

  • Canva — Free and paid tiers with book-specific templates. Set custom dimensions to match Amazon’s module sizes.
  • BookBrush — Built specifically for authors. Includes 3D book mockups, ad templates, and A+ Content layouts.
  • Adobe Express — Free tier handles most A+ image creation needs with professional templates.
  • AI cover generators — Use AI tools to create atmospheric images for your hero banner module.

For your author headshot, invest in a professional photo session. It’s used across your Author Central page, A+ Content, social media, and book marketing materials. One good headshot serves you for years.

FAQ

What is Amazon A+ Content for books?

Amazon A+ Content for books is a free KDP feature that lets you add rich visual modules — including images, comparison charts, and author bios — to your book’s product page. It appears under the “From the Publisher” section and can increase conversions by up to 20% according to Amazon’s own data.

Is Amazon A+ Content free for KDP authors?

Yes, Amazon A+ Content is completely free for any author with a published book on KDP. You don’t need a paid subscription or special account tier. Both ebook and print editions qualify, and you can create A+ Content as soon as your book is live on the Amazon store.

How many modules can you use in A+ Content?

You can use up to five modules per product page from Amazon’s library of 17 module types. However, most successful book listings use three well-designed modules rather than all five. Quality and focus beat quantity — each module should serve a clear purpose.

Does A+ Content work for Kindle ebooks?

Yes, A+ Content works for both Kindle ebooks and print editions published through KDP. You’ll need to apply your A+ Content separately to each format’s ASIN, since Kindle and paperback editions have different product pages on Amazon.

How long does it take to create A+ Content?

Most authors can create effective A+ Content in 2-4 hours, including image preparation. The design phase takes the longest — writing copy and arranging modules is quick once your images are ready. Amazon’s review process then takes 2-7 business days before your content goes live.