While it’s important to provide rich, descriptive metadata during initial title setup, some types of metadata can also be updated post-publication. Certain elements can, and should, be updated after a book goes live. Backlist titles, in particular, can benefit from refreshed information over time.
Core book details such as the title, ISBN, contributor name(s), and the format should remain unchanged once a book is published. However, many discoverability metadata fields can be reviewed and updated periodically throughout a book’s lifecycle to reflect evolving markets, new trends, and changes in search behavior.
We recommend regularly reviewing and updating the fields outlined below as needed.
BISAC Subjects – BISG updates the BISAC subject list annually, adding new categories to reflect emerging trends and genres. For example, when you published your Romance novel set in an Italian Mountain ski town two years ago, the subject for Fiction/Romance/Seasonal/ Winter did not exist. Today, it does. If your metadata hasn’t been revisited since publication, your book could be missing the chance to be discovered under more accurate and relevant categories.
Thema Subjects – Thema is managed by EDItEUR, which releases new subject codes every two years. As with BISAC, these updates allow for more granular and accurate categorization. If your Thema codes haven’t been reviewed recently, you may be overlooking opportunities to improve international discoverability through more specific subject placement.
Keywords - Keywords and key phrases should also be reviewed and refreshed on a regular basis. While keywords are not typically visible on retailer sites, they play an important behind-the-scenes role in online search engine optimization (SEO). Updating keywords is especially effective if your book relates to a current event or trending topic. For example, the romance book set in the Italian Mountains could benefit from increased interest tied to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Adding key phrases such as 2026 Olympics, or Olympic Skiing in Italy could help the title surface in searches related to this event, potentially boosting discoverability and sales.
Book Descriptions – We also recommend reviewing and updating book descriptions over time. When a book is first published certain achievements or developments may not yet have occurred or been known. Did your book reach best-seller status, get picked by a well-known book club, or receive standout reviews? Add this to the description. Providing this detail in the description is especially becoming more important for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and helping your book get surfaced within AI powered search tools. Incorporating these updates can improve discoverability and entice customers to buy the book.
Contributor Bios – Author bios are another area we strongly recommend revisiting. In many cases, a bio may have been written early in an author’s career, before major successes or notable accolades were achieved. If an author has since gained recognition, won awards, or now has a larger following, be sure those updates are reflected across all of their titles. Potential readers want the most current information about the author, and an up-to-date bio helps build credibility and connection. Detailed contributor bios also play a role with GEO discoverability.
Review Quotes – Reviews may not be available at the time of a book’s initial publication. As your book begins to receive positive feedback from credible sources or notable literary figures, be sure to add these quotes to the Review Quotes field of your metadata. This allows you to showcase strong endorsements to potential readers and buyers. While abbreviated quotes can be included in the description, the Review Quote field should be used for full, unedited quotes.
List Price – Don’t forget to also revisit your list price. Fluctuations in the market, supply chain, and buying behaviors are all reasons that you may consider adjusting the list price of a book. Just because you set the price 5 years ago, doesn’t mean it can’t be updated. For more information about updating pricing see here.
In contrast, the below metadata fields on a title should never change or be updated once a book has been published. Changing any of these fields can cause confusion in the market and is not considered best practice.
- Title/Subtitle
- ISBN
- Contributor Names
- Imprint Name
- Edition Description
- Format
- Publication Date
- Content Language
- Audience
Discoverability metadata does not have to remain static. By periodically reviewing and refreshing key fields such as subject codes, keywords, descriptions, and contributor bios- you can ensure your books remain aligned with current trends, market conditions, and reader search behavior. Small, strategic updates can unlock new discovery opportunities and help your backlist continue to perform long after publication. Taking the time to revisit this information ensures your books are positioned for ongoing visibility and success.
For instructions on how to update metadata on titles in your Lightning Source account, see here.
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