BISAC is a classification system for books
BISAC Subject Headings are a structured method to classify books for bookstores and online retailers.
They act as the category language that retailers use to decide where your book appears in search and browse paths.
Who uses BISAC
The BISAC system is widely used across the North American book trade, including retailers and wholesalers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Baker & Taylor.
Choosing the right BISAC categories helps your title land in the right discovery context.
BISG maintains the standard
The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) maintains the BISAC Subject Headings list, keeping the taxonomy aligned with how bookstores and retailers organize catalogs.
Staying current with BISAC updates protects your metadata from going stale as categories evolve.
Treat categories as go-to-market decisions
Category placement influences who finds your book and how retailers recommend it. Make the category decision as carefully as pricing or cover design.
Strong category alignment improves discoverability without requiring extra marketing spend.