QBD Books vs Readings:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, QBD Books had more branded searches than Readings among bookstores in Australia. QBD Books had about 124,000 branded searches, while Readings had 2,900. QBD Books made up 41.1% of all bookstore searches we track, and Readings accounted for 0.97%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bookstores, Readings appeared in all three answers and QBD Books in one. Readings was mentioned before QBD Books in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
QBD Books, about 43 searches for every 1 for Readings
Who does AI mention more?
Readings, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Readings, named ahead of QBD Books in 2 of 3 answers
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Top bookstores in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Readings appeared in all three answers. QBD Books was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Readings was listed before QBD Books in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Books Kinokuniya3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Readings3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Avid Reader2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Archives Fine Books2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers- QBD Books1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Dymocks1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Booktopia0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about bookstores
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bookstore should I shop at in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best bookstores in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best bookstore in Australia for books and gifts?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bookstores australia”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“independent bookstores”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 19, 2026.
Is QBD Books or Readings more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for QBD Books and Readings by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven bookstores we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for QBD Books, Readings. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | QBD Books | Booktopia | Books Kinokuniya | Avid Reader | Archives Fine Books | Readings | Dymocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.4% | 40.5% | 8.2% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 0.7% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.5% | 40.7% | 8.2% | 2.6% | 1.3% | 0.72% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.6% | 35.6% | 8.7% | 2.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 47% | 38.4% | 7.8% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 44% | 39.5% | 9.7% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.6% | 43.2% | 10.6% | 2.7% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.94% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.7% | 36% | 13.2% | 2.9% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.95% |
| May 2026 | 42% | 42% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.2% | 43.8% | 8.8% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.96% | 0.96% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.2% | 41.2% | 10.1% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 44.3% | 39.5% | 9.7% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.1% | 36.6% | 16.5% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.97% | 0.8% |
How has the QBD Books and Readings comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- QBD Books was ahead of Readings in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, QBD Books’ share of searches among bookstores in Australia moved from 45.4% to 41.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 124K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Readings’ share of searches among bookstores in Australia moved from 0.7% to 0.97%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.9K to 2.9K.
How did search popularity change for Australia bookstores in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, QBD Books lost share of searches among bookstores in Australia, from 44.3% to 41.1%.
In September 2026, Readings rose from 7th to 6th among bookstores in Australia.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using QBD Books’ and Readings’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among bookstores
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