Brandwave

Barnes & Noble Press vs Smashwords:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Smashwords had more branded searches than Barnes & Noble Press among self publishing platforms worldwide. Smashwords had about 27,100 branded searches, while Barnes & Noble Press had 22,200. Smashwords made up 0.7% of all self publishing platform searches we track, and Barnes & Noble Press accounted for 0.58%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about self publishing platforms, Barnes & Noble Press appeared in three of the five answers and Smashwords in one. Barnes & Noble Press was mentioned before Smashwords in every answer that named either.

Among self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Smashwords, about 22% more searches than Barnes & Noble Press

Smashwords 27.1K searchesBarnes & Noble Press 22.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Barnes & Noble Press, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Smashwords in 1

Barnes & Noble Press in 3 of 5Smashwords in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Barnes & Noble Press, named ahead of Smashwords in 3 of 3 answers

Barnes & Noble Press first in 3Smashwords never first

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Top self publishing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Barnes & Noble Press was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Smashwords was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Barnes & Noble Press was listed before Smashwords in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing1st
  2. Draft2Digital2nd
  3. IngramSpark3rd
  4. Lulu4th
  5. Barnes & Noble Press5th
  6. Amazon KDP6th
  7. Kobo Writing Life7th
  8. Smashwords8th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Draft2Digital5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Lulu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • IngramSpark4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Amazon KDP3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Barnes & Noble Press3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Kobo Writing Life2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Smashwords1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about self publishing platforms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Barnes & Noble Press or Smashwords more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Barnes & Noble Press and Smashwords by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight self publishing platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Barnes & Noble Press and Smashwords among self publishing platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Smashwords, Barnes & Noble Press. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAmazon KDPAmazon Kindle Direct PublishingIngramSparkDraft2DigitalSmashwordsBarnes & Noble PressKobo Writing LifeLulu
Oct 202546.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Nov 202545.9%45.9%3.4%1.5%1.5%0.83%0.45%0.37%
Dec 202546.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.38%0.31%
Jan 202646.4%46.4%2.8%1.5%1.5%0.69%0.38%0.31%
Feb 202646.1%46.1%3.4%1.5%1.2%0.83%0.46%0.3%
Mar 202646.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.38%0.31%
Apr 202646.6%46.6%2.8%1.5%1%0.69%0.46%0.31%
May 202646.7%46.7%2.8%1.3%1%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Jun 202646.8%46.8%2.8%1%1%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Jul 202646.6%46.6%2.8%1.3%1.3%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Aug 202646.9%46.9%2.8%1%0.85%0.69%0.46%0.31%
Sep 202647.5%47.5%2.3%0.7%0.7%0.58%0.38%0.26%

How has the Barnes & Noble Press and Smashwords comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for self publishing platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Barnes & Noble Press worldwide rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Smashwords worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 27.1K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Barnes & Noble Press’ and Smashwords’ 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.

Barnes & Noble Press

1 branded search term

  • barnes & noble press

Smashwords

1 branded search term

  • smashwords

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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