Plymouth, MI, USA - November 24, 2025 - Some authors wonder whether becoming a Hot New Release on Amazon really matters, or if it's simply a flashy meaningless badge.
"Recently, an author approached me with that exact question," says book publicist Scott Lorenz, president of Westwind Book Marketing. "The truth is that it matters much more than people realize, for a number of reasons. Not only is it an eye-catching marker of achievement, but it also drives traffic to your book and can increase the long-term sales trajectory."
What Is the Hot New Release Page?
Amazon defines its Hot New Release page list as the platform's best new and future releases, with rankings updating frequently. This means books in this category aren't just trending; they're performing. This performance tells Amazon's algorithm that your book is worthy of attention. Amazon doesn't have one singular Hot New Release page; it generates micro-lists, distinguished by every genre and subgenre. The differentiation of genres makes success achievable since your book isn't competing with every single new book on Amazon. Mickey Toogood, Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Amazon, advises authors to pay attention to these lists: "Check out hourly updates on the Amazon Hot New Releases to research how similar products are performing and get a sense for what the market may be like for your idea."
Making the List
According to Michelle Kulp, bestselling author of 32 books, "The Hot New Release badge tells readers your book is not just new, it's noteworthy. It boosts discoverability, fuels organic sales, and signals to Amazon's algorithm that your book deserves more visibility. It's instrumental in accelerating a book's early success."
So how can you ensure that your book makes the cut? There are a few key factors to consider when publishing your book on Amazon:
• Sales performance: Amazon will highlight your book if it's selling consistently typically withing the first 90 days of listing and not just spiking over a short period of time. In this case, it's important to market your book on all platforms to increase your daily sales count.
• Visibility: Amazon doesn't add you to the list strictly based on sales; it also considers visits to your product page. To increase visibility, you need a catchy, striking title and cover. You can learn more about titling by reading my Book Title Generator.
• Reviews: Strong titles attract attention, but reviews provide social proof. Good reviews establish credibility and build trust with prospective readers.
Launchpad for Long-term Success
"While the Hot New Release badge is a reflection of sales velocity for new titles, it's just the beginning of your potential as an author. This kind of distinction can help generate excitement and publicity. It can help you build relationships, secure media opportunities, and can inspire authors and publishers and most importantly book buyers," says Lorenz.
Popular Amazon strategist and YouTuber Steven Pope (known as The Amazon Guy) emphasizes the financial benefits of the badge:
"If you get that number one new release badge, it's going to relieve pressure on your need to spend lots of money on advertising. It's going to allow you to potentially raise prices and help your margins. Chase the number one release badge whenever possible."
Appearing on such a high-traffic site can sometimes make a book get lost in the mix, but this list puts your book in front of millions of browsing readers who may have never discovered it before. It sets your book apart from the competition when it matters most and lays the foundation for discoverability and long-term achievement.
"If one of my authors attains the "Hot New Release" badge I make it a point to add it to press releases and place the news on social media platforms like X. It is definitely something to brag about," says Lorenz.
The Bottom Line
The Hot New Release badge not only highlights your book, it's a distinction that Amazon created for a reason and is often a precursor for Amazon Best Seller Status.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Book Marketing, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz's new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator - A Proven System in Naming Your Book (www.BookTitleGenerator.net).
Media Contact
Company Name: Westwind Communications Book Marketing
Contact Person: Scott Lorenz
Email: Send Email
Phone: 734-667-2090
Country: United States
Website: https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com
