During the publishing process, one of the many things you will need to do as a self-published author is to categorize your book with BISAC codes. These codes are important to get right so that your readers can find your book. But what are BISAC codes and how do you use them? We’ll explain that below.
What are BISAC Codes?
So, what are BISAC codes? To put it simply they are an alphanumeric system publishers, distributors, retailers (both online and brick and mortar), and libraries use to categorize books by subject, genre and subgenre, etc. They also play a part in your book’s discoverability via SEO and metadata, just like your book description and other marketing copy. These codes not only give booksellers information about your book, they make it discoverable to your readers. You can read more about metadata here.
How are they Used?
BISAC codes are part of the metadata that help readers find books when searching online. They are also used to give book buyers and sellers an idea of a book’s category. Though, not every book seller will rely on these codes alone to choose where your book will be placed in a book store, for example. So, these codes matter more for online searches from readers in that respect.
Then what are BISAC codes used for on your end, you ask? Well, if you’re self-publishing, you need to choose these BISAC codes. And you can choose up to three.
- They are part of the metadata you will upload to distributor sites like KDP and Ingram Spark before you publish. These are required and are used to categorize your book for the distributor and book sellers.
- They’re also a handy tool for finding keywords to use in your other metadata such as your book description on your website and on other author platforms like Goodreads and Amazon.
What does this mean exactly? Well, when a potential reader searches for a specific type of book online they use keyword terms to find them. These same keywords are often found in the subcategories of BISAC codes. This will make sense as you continue reading below.
But HOW Do I Know My Book’s BISAC Codes?
Don’t worry, there’s a whole site that lists these codes for free so you can choose yours. This is why it’s important to understand your book’s genre and subgenre because it gives you a starting point. Being familiar with your comparable titles comes in handy here too. But the BISG website will help guide you through the process as well.
Potential BISAC Code Categories and How They’re Used: An Example
To find your BISAC codes you start with your main subject or genre. Under your main subject there is a list of options divided into more specific categories and subgenres. So, to answer the question “What are BISAC codes for my book?”, you’ll need to start with the main BISAC subject heading/s your book falls under and search from there.
- Search your main topic/genre/subject
- Browse through subtopics
- Note all potential subject headings
- Focus on accuracy and details in subtopics
These main subject headings are broad. But broad is not good because it encompasses everything under that heading. For example: Young Adult Nonfiction, True Crime and Self-Help are all main subject categories. You will need to find yours and then search within those to nail down a more specific description for your book. Notice the string of letters and numbers that come before the subject heading. Those are the actual BISAC codes. The rest is the readable part you use to determine your code.
An Example of Subcategories
For instance, if a book was in the True Crime subject heading you would want to look beyond your first option, which is TRU000000 TRUE CRIME / General. Below is the full list of BISAC code options from the BISG website under the subject heading True Crime to give you an idea of what these look like.
TRU000000 TRUE CRIME / General
TRU006000 TRUE CRIME / Abductions, Kidnappings & Missing Persons
TRU004000 TRUE CRIME / Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions
TRU011000 TRUE CRIME / Cybercrime
TRU012000 TRUE CRIME / Domestic Violence & Abuse *
TRU013000 TRUE CRIME / Drug Trafficking *
TRU001000 TRUE CRIME / Espionage
TRU007000 TRUE CRIME / Forensics
TRU008000 TRUE CRIME / Heists & Robberies
TRU010000 TRUE CRIME / Historical
TRU014000 TRUE CRIME / Human Trafficking & Enslavement *
TRU002000 TRUE CRIME / Murder / General
TRU002020 TRUE CRIME / Murder / Mass Murder
TRU002010 TRUE CRIME / Murder / Serial Killers
TRU003000 TRUE CRIME / Organized Crime
TRU009000 TRUE CRIME / Sexual Assault
TRU005000 TRUE CRIME / White Collar Crime
TRU015000 TRUE CRIME / Wrongful Conviction & Miscarriage of Justice
BISAC Code Categories Need to Be Specific
Now, let’s say the focus of the book is serial killers, or a specific serial killer. One BISAC code would be, TRU002010 TRUE CRIME / Murder / Serial Killers. If the focus is on the history of serial killers or a specific well-known serial killer from the past, an additional subcategory could be TRU010000 TRUE CRIME / Historical. Do you see how there can be more than one subcategory?
Remember you can choose up to three BISAC codes and it’s better to do so if you can. These codes all give specific information and details about your book for those readers searching for specific genres, topics, and subgenres. The more details they have, the better.
Let’s say there are not three specific listings under this main True Crime subject heading for this particular True Crime book. Because there is a subcategory of History, we could also look under the subject heading of History to see if any subcategories fit there. If the book is a historical account and takes place in Scotland, for example, you could use HIS015090 HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / Scotland.
The Important Stuff to Remember About BISAC Codes
- The important thing to keep in mind about BISAC codes is that you want them to be as accurate as possible. Don’t simply use a code to reach that threshold of three. Or, for instance, don’t try to put your book title into a code that doesn’t fit simply because it’s a more popular subject heading.
- While it’s best to find three relevant and highly accurate BISAC codes, if you can’t find three, it’s best not to use one that doesn’t fully fit just so you have three codes. That will just make it confusing for everyone and dampen the power of your book’s metadata.
In the above example, for instance, you WOULD use the subject heading of History not only if it took place in the past but also had a significant amount of information about the history of the culture and place at the time. In other words, the reader may also learn about life and facts related to the area and period. You wouldn’t use the History subject heading if it simply accounts events that took place in the past.
So, What Are BISAC Codes? They’re a Key to Your Book’s Discoverability!
We hope this gave you some idea of what BISAC codes are and their importance to your book’s discoverability. If you don’t have a solid grasp of your genre/topic is, search your comparable titles and see how they’re categorized. Then, we recommend visiting the BISG site and taking your time to browse through the most relevant subject headings. Go ahead and choose more than three possible codes for now if you aren’t sure. Then narrow it down later if you need to. Once you take a look at your options (and there are many) you’ll see just how specific they get.
Remember, these BISAC codes don’t simply help book buyers and sellers understand what your book is about so it can be found in physical stores. They help readers find your book when searching online. Of course, a broad or general search may pull up results that include your book as well. But those subcategories will help your readers find your book faster. So, make sure they’re accurate and as descriptive as possible. The more specific the search, the more likely your title will be found if there’s a match.
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