TikTok Launches Official UK BookTok Bestseller List
The UK has seen the debut of its first official #BookTok bestseller list, created by Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData, with updates every month. The initial ranking features a top 20 comprised solely of female authors, prominently showcasing Chloe Walsh's Boys of Tommen series, which appears six times. Romance and "romantasy" genres are prevalent, spearheaded by Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros. Notably, older works like Donna Tartt's The Secret History (1992) are included. Several titles, such as Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, are set for screen adaptations. NielsenIQ forecasts that BookTok will contribute to 11 million book sales in the UK by 2025, representing roughly 6% of total sales. Influencers Kris and Mads emphasize the passionate fan communities, while industry professionals deem BookTok a "game changer" for both visibility and sales.
Key facts
- TikTok launched the UK's first official #BookTok bestseller list.
- The chart is compiled by Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData.
- The inaugural top 20 is entirely female authors.
- Chloe Walsh appears most frequently with all six Boys of Tommen books.
- Donna Tartt's The Secret History (1992) appears after TikTok revival.
- NielsenIQ BookData says 11 million UK book sales in 2025 were attributed to BookTok (6% of all sales).
- WHSmith has 'TikTok made me buy it' sections in stores.
- BookTok influencers Kris and Mads say romantasy dominates due to engaged fanbases.
Entities
Artists
- Chloe Walsh
- Sarah J. Maas
- Rebecca Yarros
- Donna Tartt
- Colleen Hoover
- Abiola Bello
- Kris
- Mads
- Lucy Stewart
- Sara Roberts
- Claire Simmonds
Institutions
- TikTok
- Media Control
- NielsenIQ BookData
- Hodder & Stoughton
- Transworld
- Evermore
- WHSmith
- BBC
Locations
- United Kingdom
- Hampshire