Bonus 05: KDP's Performance Algorithm — What the Data Says About Your 90-Day WindowSpotify Episode Summary

Every self-published author has heard about the "90-day cliff" — but most of what gets repeated is half-truths. In this data-driven bonus episode, Kevin breaks down how Amazon's KDP algorithm actually evaluates your book, what the research says about the 90-day window, and how to use it to your advantage.

Backed by cited sources including Amazon's own documentation, advertising benchmark reports, practitioner case studies, and academic research, this episode covers:

🔍 The Algorithm Decoded — Sales velocity (~40% of ranking weight), conversion rate, CTR, and engagement signals — what actually moves your rank

📈 The 3 Phases — The 30-day New Release boost, the 30-60 day judgment period, and the 60-90 day make-or-break window

🚀 Launch Strategy — A 6-week pre-launch timeline, why 10+ reviews in week 1 matter, and the science behind consistent sales velocity

💰 Promotion Tactics — Free promotions vs. Countdown Deals, the 70% royalty advantage, and evidence-based timing strategy

📝 A+ Content Timing — Why Amazon's data shows up to 8% sales increase and 3-10% conversion lift, and why it should be live before launch day

📉 Rank Recovery — The 5-step playbook for when your book slides, plus the 90-day relaunch cycle

Sources include Amazon KDP documentation, HillTree Press, Ad Badger's 2026 Benchmarks, PublishRank, Sequence Commerce, and more. Full citations in the show notes.

🎯 Whether you're about to launch your first book or trying to revive an older title, this episode gives you the data-backed framework to make smarter publishing decisions.

#KDP #SelfPublishing #AmazonAlgorithm #BookMarketing #IndieAuthor #SelfPubEmpire