An official 'BookTok' chart is set to launch in the UK later this year, providing a monthly Top 20 ranking of the most popular titles on TikTok. The chart will combine verified retail sales data with social media engagement to track which books resonate most with online readers.
The ranking will be compiled by NielsenIQ BookData, the publishing industry's key sales data provider, in partnership with Media Control. TikTok will supply engagement data, while Media Control will apply an algorithm weighted more towards sales than engagement to produce the final list.
BookTok, a community of readers sharing recommendations and reaction videos, has become a powerful force in publishing. Viral posts can propel older titles back to bestseller lists and introduce new authors, especially to younger readers. Popular genres include romance, fantasy, and romantasy, with authors like Sarah J Maas, Colleen Hoover, and Rebecca Yarros seeing explosive sales growth.
The charts were first trialled in Germany and are now expanding to the UK. NielsenIQ and Media Control stated that BookTok has become a key driver in the international book market, and the new chart creates a reliable link between social media resonance and real sales performance.
