When you get that Amazon No. 1 Bestseller badge, you might feel like you've just joined the ranks of Brené Brown and Simon Sinek. But let’s talk about the reality behind the scenes...

1. It’s category-specific (and sometimes very niche)

Amazon has hundreds of book categories, some broad (Business & Money), some oddly specific (Crisis Management for Hedgehog Breeders—probably). If your book hits #1 in any category, Amazon slaps on that bestseller badge. You could be outselling thousands of books… or just the other five in Time Management for Left-Handed Entrepreneurs.

2. It’s all about timing

Unlike traditional bestseller lists that track sales over a week or longer, Amazon updates its rankings hourly. So, if your book gets a well-timed sales spike—maybe from a promo, a bulk buy, or your mum telling all her friends—it can grab the top spot, even if just for a few hours.

3. Effective category placement (not just a badge trick)

Amazon lets you choose up to ten categories (if you ask nicely), and some are less competitive than others. If your book lands in a high-traffic category (Entrepreneurship), you’ll need serious sales volume to hit #1. And when you achieve it through a well-planned launch campaign, it’s a huge win worth celebrating—you’ve beaten some strong competition. If it’s in a quieter one (Consulting for Introverts), you’ve got a much easier shot. But picking completely random or low-competition categories just to get the bestseller badge isn’t a good or clever strategy—people can see your book’s categories on your Amazon page, and if they don’t make sense, it undermines your credibility. We've seen lots of authors taking this shortcut, only to flood social media proclaiming to be bestselling authors after shifting just 7 copies.

4. It’s a nice badge, but not the whole story

An Amazon No. 1 Bestseller title looks great on your website and LinkedIn profile, but the real success comes after launch.

Is your book still selling?
Are people actually reading it?
Is it bringing you speaking gigs, clients, or new business opportunities?

That’s what really matters.

The Bottom Line:
An Amazon bestseller badge is a stellar boost for your credibility and the perfect springboard to build momentum, but it’s a moment, not a lifetime achievement award. The real win? A book that keeps selling, positioning you as the expert, and bringing in opportunities long after the launch hype fades. And if you do happen to hit #1 in Crisis Management for Hedgehog Breeders, I fully support it.

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You've poured your knowledge and experience into your nonfiction book.

Whether you're preparing for launch or your book needs a fresh spark, let's talk about getting it in front of the right eyes. I help expert authors create strategic, sustainable launches that showcase their authority without burning out their audience (or themselves).

We create engaging social media campaigns that actually convert by building a launch plan that feels authentic to you.

Book a chat with me to explore how we can get your expertise the attention it deserves. 

Because your book isn't just another title on Amazon - it's a powerful tool for expanding your impact.