The Written Word Podcast

The Amazon A10 Update: 3 Things Every Indie Author Needs to Know


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Amazon just changed the rules — again. The A10 algorithm update is here, and if you've been running your book marketing the same way you were a year ago, it's time to take a second look.


In this episode, Ricci and Ferol break down exactly what changed with the Amazon A10 update — drawing on an actual academic paper about the technology powering it — and translate it into three clear, actionable things indie authors need to do differently. From how Amazon now reads your book page (literally, including your cover), to why external traffic suddenly matters way more than Amazon ads, to why spreading your marketing over several days beats a single-day spike. This episode is your practical guide to navigating the new landscape.

What you’ll learn:

  • Why keyword stuffing your book description is now actively hurting you
  • How Amazon's AI can literally "see" your book cover and why cover-genre alignment is now algorithmic, not just stylistic
  • Why A+ content and dwell time are suddenly critical ranking factors
  • How external traffic (email, social, promo sites) now outweighs Amazon ads
  • Why consistent sales over multiple days beat a one-day spike
  • How series authors are benefiting from the new algorithm and how standalone authors can adapt

Want to learn more ways to reach readers? Visit writtenwordmedia.com for author resources, book promotion tools, and more.


The Written Word Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.


© 2026 Written Word Media, Inc. All rights reserved.


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