Google Trends for Authors: How to Find Keywords and Topics That Sell Books

If you are an author trying to sell more books on Amazon, you've probably asked yourself: How do I know what readers are actually searching for? or How can I make sure my book idea connects with real demand? The answer often comes down to smart keyword research and understanding market trends.

One of the most powerful-and completely free-tools available for this purpose is Google Trends. While many authors focus solely on Amazon keywords, overlooking Google's search insights means missing out on a massive opportunity to tap into what people are already interested in.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into:

What Google Trends is and why it matters for authors
How to use Google Trends to discover profitable book topics
Step-by-step methods to find trending keywords for your book promotion
How to combine Google Trends with Amazon KDP marketing
Evergreen vs. trending topics: which sells better?
How to build a promotional plan based on search insights
Real-world examples of Google Trends in action for authors

This post is designed to be a lasting resource, meaning it will stay valuable for years as a reference for authors looking to grow book sales. Whether you're publishing fiction, nonfiction, or children's books, these strategies will help you tap into real data-not guesswork. For those ready to boost sales, you can purchase a book promotion package designed to get your book in front of the right audience.

Why Google Trends Is a Goldmine for Authors

Most authors are familiar with Amazon KDP tools or third-party services like Publisher Rocket. But very few consistently use Google Trends-even though it's free and updated in real time.

Here's why Google Trends is so powerful for book marketing:

It shows reader interest, not just search volume. Amazon keyword tools can tell you how competitive a keyword is, but Google Trends reveals whether interest in a topic is growing, declining, or seasonal.
It highlights rising topics before they hit Amazon. If you want to write a book that stands out, catching a trend early can give you a first-mover advantage.
It helps with promotion as much as with writing. Even if your book is already published, knowing which related keywords are trending can help you optimize your Amazon description, blog posts, and social media campaigns.
It provides regional and demographic insights. Are readers in the U.S. more interested in a topic than in the U.K.? Is interest peaking in September but fading by January? Google Trends can show you.

How to Use Google Trends: A Step-by-Step Guide for Authors

Let's break down exactly how authors can leverage Google Trends to find book-selling opportunities.

Step 1: Enter a General Keyword Related to Your Book

Start with a broad keyword that describes your genre, niche, or theme. For example:

"romantic thriller"
"self-help for anxiety"
"children's bedtime stories"
"productivity hacks"

Google Trends will show you a graph of interest over time. This is crucial because a keyword with steady or rising interest is more promising than one in decline.

Step 2: Compare Keywords to See Which One Readers Prefer

Google Trends allows you to compare up to five terms at once. This is especially useful if you're deciding between different book titles, subtitles, or marketing angles.

Example: compare "productivity hacks" vs. "time management tips" vs. "work-life balance." You may find that one is surging in popularity, while another is fading.

How to apply this as an author:

If you're writing nonfiction, choose the phrasing readers actually search for.
If you're in fiction, compare tropes or themes (e.g., "vampire romance" vs. "werewolf romance").

Step 3: Look for Related Queries and Rising Topics

One of the best features in Google Trends is the "Related Queries" section. These are search terms that people are looking for in connection with your main keyword.

Some of them are marked as "Breakout", meaning they've grown by more than 5,000%. That's a huge clue for authors.

Example: if your keyword is "children's books," related queries might show "mindfulness books for kids" or "STEM learning stories." If you're writing in that area, you've just found a trend that could influence your next book or marketing angle.

Step 4: Analyze Seasonality to Time Your Promotion

Certain book topics spike at specific times of year:

"Christmas romance" climbs in November and December.
"New Year's resolutions" books peak every January.
"Beach reads" trend in summer.

By studying these seasonal cycles, you can schedule book launches and promotions at the exact right moment.

For example, if you're writing a cookbook with holiday recipes, promoting it in September or October will give you momentum before interest explodes in November.

Step 5: Use Google Trends for Amazon Keywords

Even though Google and Amazon are different platforms, search behavior overlaps. If people are looking for "gratitude journal" on Google, many of them will also search for it on Amazon.

You can take trending keywords from Google Trends and test them in Amazon's search bar or through keyword tools. This helps you create book descriptions and ads that match what readers are already searching for, and complements strategies from our ultimate guide to SEO for authors, ensuring your book description and ads match what readers are searching for.

Evergreen vs. Trending Topics: Which Sells More Books?

One of the biggest questions authors face is: Should I write for evergreen demand or chase the latest trend?

Here's how Google Trends can help you decide:

Evergreen topics (steady interest over time) are great for long-term royalties. Examples: "parenting tips," "weight loss," "historical romance." These books can sell for years without losing relevance.
Trending topics (spikes of interest) can generate quick bursts of sales but may fade. Examples: "TikTok marketing," "cryptocurrency basics," "pandemic fiction."

The smart strategy is often to combine both:

Anchor your book in an evergreen niche.
Add trending elements in the subtitle, description, or marketing campaigns.

This way, your book has lasting value but also captures short-term spikes.

How to Apply Google Trends to Book Promotion

Google Trends isn't just for planning what to write-it's equally powerful for promoting books you've already published.

Here are practical ways to use it:

Update Your Book Description. If a trending keyword aligns with your book, weave it into your Amazon description and subtitle.
Create Blog Posts Around Trending Topics. For example, if you've written a self-help book on productivity and "morning routine hacks" is trending, write a blog post about it and link your book naturally.
Run Ads Using Trend-Inspired Keywords. Amazon Ads and Facebook Ads perform better when you target what people are actively searching for.
Pitch to Book Promotion Sites. When you know what readers care about right now, your pitches to sites like Goodkindles or book bloggers will resonate more.

Real-Life Example: Using Google Trends to Market a Book

Let's say you wrote a nonfiction book about personal finance for beginners.

You enter keywords like "budgeting tips," "money management," and "financial literacy" into Google Trends. You discover that "how to save money fast" is a breakout search query.

Here's what you can do:

Add a subtitle to your book that includes "save money fast."
Write a blog article titled "How to Save Money Fast: 5 Steps from [Your Book Title]".
Create an Amazon ad campaign targeting that phrase.
Post short social media tips using the keyword, linking back to your book.

This simple process connects your book directly to what readers are already looking for.

So far we explored the basics of how Google Trends works and why it's such a valuable tool for authors who want to increase book sales. Now, let's go further. If you're serious about building a long-term career as a writer, you need to know not just how to find trends, but how to use them strategically for marketing and promotion.

This section will cover:

Advanced Google Trends features most authors overlook
How to combine Google Trends with AI tools and Amazon KDP
How to use trends for blogging, email marketing, and ads
Common mistakes authors make when chasing trends
Real-life case studies of authors who leveraged trends effectively

By the end, you'll know how to transform a simple trend search into a complete promotional strategy that drives long-term royalties.

Advanced Google Trends Features Every Author Should Know

Most authors use Google Trends at a surface level: type in a keyword, see the graph, and move on. But the platform offers powerful features that can make your keyword research much more precise.

1. Narrow by Region

If you're promoting a book that targets readers in a specific country (for example, U.S. vs. U.K.), use the location filter.

Nonfiction Example: If you wrote a book on "student loans," you'll see that this term spikes in the U.S. but is almost irrelevant in countries with free university systems.
Fiction Example: A "football romance" may perform better in the U.K. (where "football" means soccer) than in the U.S. (where it means American football).

How this helps: You won't waste ad money targeting the wrong readers.

2. Drill Down by Category

Google Trends allows you to refine searches by category-such as Books & Literature, Health, Business, etc. This prevents your keyword from being confused with unrelated industries.

Example: Searching "fantasy" without a category could show results about sports teams or video games. Selecting Books & Literature focuses on readers who actually mean "fantasy novels."

3. Filter by Search Type

Most people don't realize Google Trends tracks more than web searches. You can filter by:

Image Search → Great for children's books, art books, cookbooks.
YouTube Search → Essential if you plan to run book trailers or video ads.
News Search → Useful for nonfiction authors writing on current events.
Google Shopping → Helpful for planners, journals, and giftable books.

This lets you match your marketing strategy to how readers actually consume information.

4. Explore "Related Topics" vs. "Related Queries"

We already covered "Related Queries," but don't miss the "Related Topics" tab. This shows broader areas of interest.

For instance, if you type in "mindfulness," the related topics might include "yoga," "anxiety," and "mental health." This can help you position your book in a wider niche, increasing visibility.

How to Combine Google Trends with AI and Amazon KDP

Many authors now use AI tools for brainstorming titles, writing ad copy, or generating blog content. When combined with Google Trends, this becomes extremely powerful.

Here's a step-by-step method:

Start with Google Trends. Find breakout queries in your niche (e.g., "journaling for anxiety").
Feed the query into an AI tool. Generate blog post ideas, ad headlines, or social media hooks using that keyword.
Test on Amazon. Put the keyword into the Amazon search bar. If auto-suggestions pop up ("journaling for anxiety teens," "journaling for anxiety adults"), you know readers are searching there too.
Apply to your KDP listing. Use the trend-driven keyword in your subtitle, description, or ad targeting.

This process ensures that your marketing copy is data-driven, SEO-friendly, and trend-aware.

How to Use Google Trends for Blog and Content Marketing

Blogging remains one of the best ways to promote your book, especially when paired with search-driven topics. Google Trends can show you exactly what questions readers are asking.

How to Find Blog Topics with Google Trends

Type your book's main keyword into Google Trends.
Look at "Related Queries."
Reframe them into blog post titles starting with "How to…".

Example:

Keyword: time management
Related Query: how to stop procrastinating
Blog Title: How to Stop Procrastinating: Practical Tips from My Book [Book Title]

This kind of content builds trust, attracts traffic from Google, and naturally funnels readers toward your Amazon page.

How to Build an Evergreen Content Calendar

Trends are valuable, but evergreen content pays dividends forever. Here's how to balance both:

Use evergreen keywords (steady search volume) for your core blog posts.
Sprinkle in trend-driven posts when a topic spikes.

For example:

Evergreen Post: "How to Write a Daily Gratitude Journal"
Trend-Driven Post: "How to Start Journaling for Anxiety Relief" (if that's trending right now).

Both posts promote your book, but one continues to pull traffic year-round, while the other captures temporary spikes.

Using Google Trends in Your Email Marketing

Email remains one of the most effective sales tools for authors. Trends can inspire newsletters that readers actually open.

Example:

Trend: "morning routine hacks" is surging.
Email Subject Line: "3 Morning Routine Hacks That Changed My Writing Life".
Inside the email: Share tips, then link to your productivity book.

This way, you're not sending generic updates-you're sending timely, relevant content that readers are already curious about.

Using Google Trends for Ads

If you're running Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, or BookBub promotions, trend-driven keywords can significantly boost your results.

Amazon Ads: Target keywords discovered in Google Trends that are rising in popularity.
Facebook Ads: Create ad copy that uses trending phrases to capture attention.
BookBub Ads: Match trending topics with categories BookBub readers love.

Example: if "dark academia" is trending, your ad for a gothic thriller could include that phrase-even if the book was published a year ago.

Common Mistakes Authors Make When Using Google Trends

While Google Trends is powerful, there are pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake #1: Chasing Every Trend

Not every trending topic fits your book. If you force a connection, readers will feel it's inauthentic. Stick to trends that align naturally with your content.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Evergreen Potential

Some authors chase only "breakout" queries. That can create short-term sales but leaves you with no long-term strategy. Balance trends with evergreen topics.

Mistake #3: Misinterpreting Data

A spike in searches doesn't always equal book buyers. Cross-check with Amazon to ensure there's actual demand in the book market.

Mistake #4: Timing Promotions Poorly

Seasonality matters. If you launch a "Christmas romance" in February, you're too late. Always align promotions with the trend cycle.

Case Study #1: A Romance Author Using Seasonal Trends

A romance author noticed that "holiday romance" surged every November-December. She planned her book launch for October, used "holiday romance novel" in her Amazon subtitle, and pitched to sites like Goodkindles right before the seasonal spike.

Result: Her book charted in the Top 500 of the Holiday Romance category during Christmas week.

Case Study #2: A Nonfiction Author Using Breakout Queries

A nonfiction writer published a book about diet and discovered that "intermittent fasting 16/8" was a breakout query on Google Trends. He updated his Amazon description, ran ads targeting that phrase, and published a blog post titled "How to Start Intermittent Fasting 16/8 Safely."

Result: His book's sales doubled within three months, largely due to search-driven traffic.

How Google Trends Supports Long-Term Author Branding

The ultimate goal isn't just to sell one book-it's to build a brand as an author. Google Trends helps by:

Showing you what topics your audience cares about.
Helping you plan your content calendar months in advance.
Giving you the data you need to position yourself as an expert in your niche.

Whether you're writing thrillers, self-help, or children's books, trends help you stay relevant while keeping your brand anchored in evergreen demand.

Now it's time to put everything together into a repeatable workflow you can use every time you publish or promote a book.

We'll also answer the most common "how to" questions authors have about Google Trends, book promotion, and keyword research. Finally, we'll wrap up with a long-term evergreen checklist so you'll never run out of promotion ideas.

The Author's Workflow with Google Trends

Here's a step-by-step process you can use from book idea to launch to long-term promotion.

Step 1: Brainstorm with Google Trends Before Writing

Before committing to a book idea, check whether readers are actually interested.

Enter your topic in Google Trends.
Compare several variations.
Look for steady or rising interest.

Example: "productivity hacks" vs. "time management" → if one is declining, lean into the one that's growing.

Step 2: Validate on Amazon

Take your trending keyword and test it in Amazon's search bar. If Amazon suggests phrases that match your query, it means readers are actively looking for books on that topic.

Step 3: Shape Your Title and Subtitle

Use the trending phrase naturally in your subtitle. Example: "The 5-Day Productivity Plan: How to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done."

This way, your book matches both Google and Amazon search intent.

Step 4: Plan Your Launch Around Seasonality

If your keyword has a seasonal spike, plan your promotions in advance. For example:

A "summer beach read" should launch in May or June.
A "New Year's resolution" book should promote heavily in December.

Step 5: Build Content Around Related Queries

Turn related queries into blog posts, social media threads, or email newsletters. Example: If "how to build a morning routine" is trending, create content around it that links naturally to your book.

Step 6: Use Trend Keywords in Ads

Target trending phrases in your Amazon Ads or Facebook Ads campaigns. They'll be cheaper and more effective than generic, competitive keywords.

Step 7: Monitor Trends Regularly

Don't just check once. Revisit Google Trends monthly to catch new opportunities. A single breakout keyword could inspire your next ad campaign or blog post.

How to Use Google Trends with Different Book Genres

Different genres benefit from Google Trends in unique ways.

Fiction Authors

Tropes and themes: Search for trending tropes like "dark academia," "enemies to lovers," or "post-apocalyptic survival."
Seasonal promotion: Holiday romance, spooky horror, or summer thrillers can all ride seasonal demand.

Nonfiction Authors

Evergreen niches: Parenting, fitness, finance, and productivity are reliable topics, but trends help you fine-tune angles.
Timely trends: "AI in business" or "remote work" may rise fast and give you a window to capture attention.

Children's Authors

Educational trends: "STEM books for kids" or "mindfulness for children."
Holiday cycles: Easter stories, Christmas tales, or back-to-school themes.

How to Combine Google Trends with Other Marketing Tools

Google Trends works best when paired with other author tools:

Amazon KDP Dashboard → Cross-check keywords for real sales potential.
Book promotion sites (like Goodkindles) → Pitch trend-aligned books to reach readers at the right moment.
AI writing assistants → Turn trend keywords into blog outlines, social posts, or ad copy.
Email services → Use trending subjects to increase open rates.

How to Avoid Burnout When Following Trends

It's tempting to chase every trend, but that can be overwhelming. Here's how to stay balanced:

Stick to one evergreen niche (e.g., "self-help for women").
Layer trend-based campaigns on top (e.g., "morning routine hacks" this month).
Remember: You don't need to write a new book for every trend-you can reframe your existing book.

How to Use Google Trends for Book Marketing?

Use it to identify trending keywords, shape your book's subtitle, plan seasonal promotions, and optimize your ads. Always combine Trends data with Amazon search behavior for best results.

How to Find Profitable Book Topics with Google Trends?

Enter broad niche keywords, compare variations, and look at related queries. Focus on evergreen topics with steady growth but don't ignore breakout trends that match your genre.

How to Time Your Book Launch with Google Trends?

Check seasonality patterns in Trends. If your topic spikes every January, launch in December. If it peaks in summer, start promoting in late spring.

How to Optimize Amazon Ads Using Google Trends?

Take trending queries from Google and test them in Amazon Ads targeting. They're often cheaper than high-competition keywords and align better with what readers are searching now.

How to Use Google Trends for Fiction Authors?

Search for trending tropes and genres like "cozy mystery" or "dark academia." Align your descriptions, ads, and pitches with these rising reader interests.

How to Combine Google Trends with SEO Blogging?

Turn related queries into blog titles, especially starting with "How to…" For example, if "how to save money fast" is trending, write a blog post under that title and link to your finance book.

Checklist: Google Trends for Authors

Here's a quick evergreen checklist you can revisit every time you publish or promote:

Check your book's core keyword in Google Trends.
Compare multiple variations to choose the strongest.
Review Related Queries for breakout opportunities.
Check seasonality to time your promotions.
Validate keywords on Amazon before finalizing.
Integrate trends into your title, subtitle, and description.
Write blog posts and emails based on trend-driven questions.
Run Amazon and Facebook ads with trend-based targeting.
Revisit Trends monthly for new campaign ideas.
Balance evergreen and trend topics to maximize both long-term and short-term sales.

Final Thoughts: Google Trends as a Secret Weapon for Authors

The book market is competitive. Every day, thousands of new titles appear on Amazon. But most authors still rely on guesswork when it comes to choosing topics, keywords, and promotional strategies.

By using Google Trends, you give yourself an edge: you know what readers want before they even reach Amazon. You can position your book, blog, and ads to meet demand, rather than hoping for luck.

And remember-this tool isn't just for planning new books. It's equally powerful for breathing life into your existing catalog. Even an older book can enjoy a second wave of sales if you align it with today's trending searches.

If you're ready to stop guessing and start promoting smarter, it's time to put Google Trends into your author toolkit. Take the next step and promote your book with a tailored package designed to reach the readers who are already searching for topics like yours.

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