Amazon KDP Banned Keywords: Complete Guide for 2025
Learn which keywords Amazon prohibits in book metadata and how to stay compliant with KDP content policies
Important Disclaimer
This guide is based on Amazon's official KDP Content Guidelines and community knowledge. Amazon's policies can change without notice. Always refer to the official KDP guidelines for the most current information.
Amazon KDP has strict content policies that restrict certain keywords in your book's metadata (title, subtitle, description, and keyword fields). Understanding these restrictions is critical—some keywords can instantly suppress your book from search results, making it virtually invisible to readers.
Using prohibited keywords can result in your book being rejected during review, suppressed from search (the "adult dungeon"), removed after publication, or in serious cases, account suspension. The most dangerous keywords trigger immediate automated suppression—no human review, no warning. This guide covers all restricted keyword categories and provides safe alternatives. To check your metadata for compliance issues before publishing, use our free KDP Compliance Checker tool.
Pro Tip: Understanding Amazon's rules is critical to avoid account suspension. Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran covers this in detail.
Why Amazon Restricts Certain Keywords
Amazon prohibits specific keywords for four main reasons:
1. Trademark Protection
Amazon owns trademarks like "Amazon," "Kindle," "Prime," and "Alexa." Using these terms in your book metadata could create confusion about official Amazon products or endorsement. This is a legal issue, not just a policy preference.
2. Content Suppression ("Adult Dungeon")
Certain keywords trigger Amazon's "adult dungeon"—immediate suppression from search results. These include explicit sexual content, profanity, prohibited topics (incest, non-consent), and pandemic-related terms. Books with these keywords become virtually invisible on Amazon, even if the content itself is acceptable.
3. Preventing Misleading Claims
Terms like "bestseller," "#1," or "award-winning" make specific claims about your book's performance or accolades. Unless you can prove these claims, using them violates Amazon's customer trust policies and can mislead buyers.
4. Maintaining Marketplace Quality
Promotional language like "free," "sale," or "limited time" is prohibited because book metadata should be permanent. Temporary promotional language belongs in Amazon's advertising system, not in your book's description.
Categories of Restricted Keywords
Based on Amazon's official guidelines and community reports, here are the main categories of restricted keywords:
Amazon Trademarks
⚠️ High Risk - Can result in immediate rejection or account issues
- Amazon - Cannot be used in titles, subtitles, or descriptions
- Kindle - Prohibited in all metadata fields
- Prime - Not allowed
- Alexa - Amazon's voice assistant trademark
- Audible - Amazon-owned audiobook platform
Note: There may be rare exceptions for non-fiction books about the Amazon rainforest, but this requires manual review and is risky.
"Dungeon" Keywords (Immediate Suppression)
🚨 CRITICAL RISK - Results in immediate search suppression
These keywords trigger Amazon's content filter and send your book to the "adult dungeon"—making it invisible in search results even if your content is appropriate.
- Explicit Sexual Terms - "sex," "sexual" (use "intimate" or "romance" instead)
- Profanity - "fuck," "f*ck," "shit," "sh*t," "bitch" (remove completely from metadata)
- Prohibited Content - "incest," "rape" (automatic suppression, no exceptions)
- Pandemic Terms - "COVID," "COVID-19," "coronavirus," "pandemic" (use "health crisis" or "global event")
Warning: Even if your book is a legitimate medical text or serious fiction addressing these topics, using these exact terms in metadata will trigger suppression. Use clinical or alternative terminology instead.
Performance Claims
⚠️ Medium Risk - Requires proof or will be rejected
- Bestseller / Best Seller / Best-Seller - Only allowed if you have an official Amazon bestseller badge
- #1 / Number One - Cannot claim top ranking without proof
- Top Rated - Prohibited without verification
- Award-Winning - Only acceptable if you name the specific, legitimate award
Tip: If you won an award, be specific: "Winner of the 2024 Indie Excellence Award" is compliant.
Promotional Language
⚠️ Medium Risk - Book may be removed
- Free - Cannot promise free content (unless the book itself is permanently free)
- Sale / On Sale - Prohibited in permanent metadata
- Discount / Discounted - Not allowed
- Limited Time - Banned
- Special Offer - Prohibited
- Bonus - Can imply temporary promotion
Contact Information & External Links
⚠️ High Risk - Immediate rejection
- Email Addresses - No contact info allowed in metadata
- Phone Numbers - Prohibited
- Website URLs - "www.," "http," ".com" all banned
- Social Media Handles - Cannot include in title/subtitle/description
Note: Amazon wants customers to stay on their platform. Include contact info in your Author Central profile instead.
Other Trademarked Terms
⚠️ Varies - Depends on context and proof
- New York Times Bestseller - Only if you're actually on their list
- USA Today Bestseller - Same as above
- Any other brand names or trademarks without permission
How to Stay Compliant
Review Your Metadata Before Publishing
Carefully read through your title, subtitle, description, and keyword fields. Look for any terms that might violate Amazon's policies.
Use Descriptive, Accurate Language
Focus on what your book is actually about. Describe the content, genre, and themes without making unverifiable claims or using promotional language.
Avoid Making Claims You Can't Prove
Don't call your book a "bestseller" unless it has an official Amazon bestseller badge. Don't claim awards you haven't won. Be honest and accurate.
Check Official Guidelines Regularly
Amazon updates its policies periodically. Bookmark the official KDP Content Guidelines and review them before each new publication.
📖 Recommended: Let's Get Digital
by David Gaughran
Navigate Amazon's complex policies and stay compliant while maximizing your book's visibility.
Safe Alternatives to Restricted Keywords
You can still create compelling metadata without using restricted keywords. Here are some alternatives:
| ❌ Avoid | ✅ Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Bestseller | "Popular," "Acclaimed," "Reader favorite" |
| #1 Book | "Acclaimed," "Celebrated," "Praised" |
| Sexual / Sex | "Intimate," "Romantic," "Passionate," "Sensual" |
| COVID / Pandemic | "Health crisis," "Global event," "2020 illness" |
| Free Bonus | "Includes," "Features," "Contains" |
| Limited Time / Sale | (Remove completely - use Amazon ads instead) |
| For Kindle | "E-book," "Digital edition" |
| www.yoursite.com | (Add to Author Central profile instead) |
Check Your Book for Compliance
Use our free compliance checker to scan your book metadata for potentially restricted keywords before publishing. Get instant feedback and suggestions.
Try Compliance Checker →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use these keywords inside my book content?
Yes! These restrictions only apply to your book's metadata (title, subtitle, description, and keyword fields). You can use any words you want in the actual content of your book. However, be aware that extreme content may still violate Amazon's content guidelines regardless of where it appears.
What is the "adult dungeon" and how do I avoid it?
The "adult dungeon" is Amazon's content suppression filter. Books flagged with certain keywords (explicit sexual terms, profanity, prohibited content) become invisible in search results. To avoid it: never use explicit terms in metadata, use alternative phrasing ("intimate" instead of "sexual"), and ensure your book is properly categorized. Once suppressed, it's very difficult to get your book restored.
What happens if I accidentally use a restricted keyword?
If caught during review, your book will be rejected and you'll need to fix the metadata and resubmit. If caught after publication, Amazon may remove your book and send a warning. Repeated violations can lead to account suspension.
Are there exceptions to these rules?
Some keywords are acceptable with proof. For example, "award-winning" is fine if you actually won a legitimate award (and you should name it specifically). "Bestseller" is allowed if you have an official Amazon bestseller badge. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
How often does Amazon update these policies?
Amazon can update its content policies at any time without announcement. It's important to check the official guidelines regularly, especially before publishing new books.
Where can I find the official Amazon KDP guidelines?
Visit the Amazon KDP Content Guidelines for the most current and official information.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Dungeon keywords are the most dangerous - Terms like "sex," "sexual," profanity, and pandemic words trigger instant suppression
- ✓Never use Amazon trademarks - "Amazon," "Kindle," "Prime," "Audible," and "KDP" are strictly prohibited
- ✓Don't make unverifiable claims - "Bestseller," "#1," and "award-winning" require proof
- ✓No contact info or URLs - Email, phone, websites are banned in metadata
- ✓Use our Compliance Checker - Scan your metadata before publishing to catch violations
Staying compliant doesn't mean sacrificing compelling metadata. Use descriptive, accurate language that honestly represents your book. When in doubt, check the official guidelines or use our compliance tool—prevention is always easier than dealing with suppression or account issues. For more tips on avoiding common pitfalls, read our guide on 10 costly KDP mistakes to avoid, and learn how to find compliant, high-performing keywords for your books.
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