UK Launches First Official #BookTok Bestseller List, Confirming Platform's Influence on Reading Habits
Introduction
The United Kingdom has introduced its first official bestseller list based on the social media platform TikTok, specifically the #BookTok community. The chart, compiled by Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData, combines UK sales data with analysis of the #BookTok hashtag, thus making the platform's role in shaping book choices official.
Main Body
The first top 20 list, updated monthly, includes only female authors, with Irish writer Chloe Walsh appearing most frequently. All six books in her Boys of Tommen series—which tells the story of teenage experiences of love, friendship, and trauma at a private school—are on the list. The list is dominated by romance and 'romantasy' genres, with authors such as Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros featuring prominently. The chart also shows how #BookTok can extend the sales life of older titles; Donna Tartt's The Secret History, first published in 1992, reappears after gaining a new audience through the platform. Many listed books are either recent or upcoming screen adaptations, including Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, Yarros's Fourth Wing, and Walsh's Boys of Tommen series. BookTok influencers Kris and Mads claimed that the dominance of romantasy is due to the highly engaged online fanbases these authors have built, where readers share reactions, theories, and recommendations that keep interest alive over time. They noted that the genre is easy to read and allows readers to enjoy light, fun content together. Furthermore, they observed that younger readers are more likely to trust recommendations from friends or favourite creators than from professional critics, and that audiences are more likely to scroll social media feeds than read major news outlets. As a result, when they promoted the self-published series The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, it sold out completely on Amazon. Industry professionals have offered different opinions on #BookTok's role. Lucy Stewart, deputy publishing director at Hodder & Stoughton, stated that TikTok has increased visibility for certain genres, especially romance, which has seen a significant rise in public appreciation, sales, and respect. She expressed support for more accessible celebrations of reading and book-buying. Sara Roberts, senior marketing manager at Transworld, described #BookTok as one of the most powerful forces in publishing and a good trend spotter, but stressed that traditional marketing is still important, as many readers still rely on reviews and conventional media. Claire Simmonds, publishing director at Evermore, agreed that the platform has been a game changer for sales and discovery, but emphasized that it is part of a larger system: 'BookTok can be the spark, but everything else needs to be in place to take advantage of that energy.' Retailers have reacted directly to the trend; young adult author Abiola Bello noted that WHSmith now has a 'TikTok made me buy it' section in stores. NielsenIQ BookData reports that 11 million UK book sales in 2025 were linked to #BookTok, representing about 6% of all book sales. The creation of the list does not mean the end of traditional bestseller charts, but it may indicate a change in the literary landscape. Readers such as Amy, 32, from Hampshire, say they use TikTok 'all the time for recommendations' and credit it with helping them explore genres they would not have found otherwise.
Conclusion
The creation of the official #BookTok bestseller list makes the platform's influence on book buying and reading habits in the UK official. While the list highlights the commercial power of social media-driven recommendations, industry observers caution that it is just one part of a larger marketing system, with traditional channels continuing to play a role for certain titles and audiences.