Mastering Book Metadata for Canadian Self-Publishers
I’ve been helping Canadian authors publish their books for more than a decade, from the first draft to a polished, market-ready product. In that time, I’ve seen plenty of excellent manuscripts fail to find their readers—not because the writing wasn’t strong, but because the book was invisible online. The missing ingredient? Smart, strategic metadata. Whether you’re uploading to Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, or IngramSpark, good metadata can make the difference between a book that gathers dust and a book that finds its audience.
Why Metadata Matters for Self-Publishing Success
Metadata is simply “data about data”—in our case, the structured information about your book that online retailers, libraries, and distributors use to decide where and how your book appears. Your title, subtitle, author name, categories, keywords, description, ISBN, and even the language tags in your ebook file are all metadata.
Why does this matter so much? Because search engines, recommendation algorithms, and library catalogues all rely on metadata to connect your book with potential readers. A well-crafted metadata strategy increases your book’s discoverability without spending a dollar on ads. In other words, you’re helping your future readers find you.
If you’re new to the publishing process, you can start by exploring my Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing in Canada for an overview of how these systems fit together.
Amazon KDP Metadata Essentials
Amazon is where most Canadian indie authors start—and for good reason. It’s one of the most powerful retail algorithms in the world. Your metadata determines not just whether your book appears in search results, but also whether it shows up in “Customers also bought” and “Recommended for you” sections.
Core Metadata Fields
On KDP, your most important metadata fields include:
Title and Subtitle – Use natural language that includes genre and reader benefit when possible. “Cozy Winter Mysteries: A Maple Falls Novel” is more discoverable than “Maple Falls.”
Author and Contributors – Ensure your name is consistent across all platforms to build a strong author brand.
Categories and Keywords – KDP allows you to select two official categories (based on BISAC codes) and up to seven keyword phrases. Think like your reader: “Canadian historical romance” will work harder for you than “love story.”
For Canadian authors, it’s worth experimenting with territory-specific terms like “set in Toronto” or “Canadian wilderness novel.” Many readers actively search for books set in places they know.
Amazon’s own metadata guidelines provide examples of what’s acceptable and what might get your listing suppressed.
If you need help preparing a manuscript for KDP that looks professional inside and out, read my post on How to Publish a Book.
Draft2Digital: Going Wide with Ease
Draft2Digital (D2D) is one of my favourite tools for “going wide”—making your ebook available on as many platforms as possible, beyond Amazon. D2D distributes to Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Scribd, and many smaller retailers. More importantly for Canadian authors, it also connects your ebook to library platforms like OverDrive, Hoopla, and Bibliotheca.
Why is that a big deal? Because many Canadian readers discover new authors through their local library’s digital catalogue. If your ebook is in OverDrive or Hoopla, it’s far easier for a librarian to acquire it—often at no cost to you—so more readers can stumble upon your work.
Metadata in Draft2Digital
D2D metadata works similarly to Amazon’s, but has extra advantages:
Global Pricing and Territories – You can set CAD pricing separately from USD or EUR.
Multiple Categories – D2D allows you to choose more BISAC codes than Amazon, helping you target subgenres more precisely.
Series Metadata – Series name and number help retailers show your books together.
If you want to make sure your ebook files pass validation before uploading to D2D, take a look at my ebook design and validation services.
IngramSpark Metadata for Canadian Print & Retailers
IngramSpark is the backbone of global print-on-demand distribution. In Canada, it’s especially valuable because many independent bookstores and libraries order from Ingram’s catalogue.
When you publish through IngramSpark, your metadata directly influences whether your book appears in retailer searches, and whether it’s ordered for in-store displays.
Key Considerations for IngramSpark
BISAC and Thema Codes – These subject codes define your genre and topic. The more accurately you choose them, the better your chances of reaching your target audience.
Returns Policy – While not strictly metadata, your decision on returns (returnable, non-returnable, destroy, or return to author) can affect retailer interest.
Canadian Interest Tags – If your book has Canadian themes, settings, or authorship, be sure to use Ingram’s “Canadian interest” fields.
You can find IngramSpark’s own metadata guide here.
Metadata for eBooks: EPUB Tags and Validation
Retailer forms are only part of the picture. Your ebook file itself contains embedded metadata that affects how it’s displayed on e-readers.
The most important fields in EPUB metadata include:
dc:title – The book’s title.
dc:creator – The author name.
dc:language – ISO language code (e.g., “en-CA” for Canadian English).
dc:identifier – Your ISBN.
Cover image reference.
Reading order metadata.
Clean, consistent EPUB metadata ensures your ebook passes quality checks and displays correctly in apps like Kobo and Kindle. I cover this in detail on my ebook design and validation page.
Metadata, Genre & Visual Consistency
Metadata doesn’t work in isolation. Your cover design, interior typesetting, and genre signals should align with the categories you choose. For example, a dark, moody cover with serif fonts says “literary fiction,” while a bright illustrated cover signals “rom-com.”
Retail algorithms use both textual metadata and visual cues when recommending books. That means inconsistent branding—say, a thriller cover paired with a cozy mystery category—will hurt your discoverability.
If you want to make sure your visual branding and metadata are working together, start with my cover design services and professional typesetting.
Canadian Specifics You Should Not Overlook
A few Canada-only points worth noting:
ISBNs – Canadian authors can obtain ISBNs for free through Library and Archives Canada, and should register each format separately.
Price Listings – Always list a CAD price in addition to USD, as some platforms default to USD otherwise.
French-Language Metadata – If your book is in French, use “fr-CA” for the language code.
Conclusion: Metadata Is a Long Game
Metadata isn’t a one-time setup—it’s something you can refine over time based on sales reports, reader feedback, and keyword trends. The better your metadata, the more discoverable your book becomes, and the more organic sales you’ll generate.
If you’d like to work with a single, experienced partner who can manage your editing, cover design, typesetting, and ebook formatting—and ensure your metadata is spot-on—book a free consultation with me at Foglio Custom Book Specialists. We’ll make sure your book not only looks great but is positioned to be found by the readers who will love it.
