How popular isBarter Books?
In September 2026, people searched for Barter Books by name about 22,200 times in the United Kingdom, a 22.7% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 6% of all United Kingdom bookstore searches, placing Barter Books fourth out of seven bookstores. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bookstores, Barter Books appeared in two of the four answers and was the fourth most recommended of the seven.
Barter Books is the fourth most searched of 7 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.
WHSmithShare of searches 44.7%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Blackwell'sShare of searches 24.5%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Daunt BooksShare of searches 20%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Barter BooksShare of searches 6%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
WaterstonesShare of searches 2.7%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top bookstores in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Barter Books was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Barter Books is the fourth most recommended of the seven.
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.
- Daunt Books3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Foyles3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Topping & Company Booksellers3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Blackwell's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Barter Books2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Waterstones2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- WHSmith0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about bookstores
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bookstore should I shop at in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best bookstores in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best bookstore in the UK for a good book selection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bookstores uk”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bookshop uk”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 19, 2026.
Which bookstores compete with Barter Books?
Share of searches by month for WHSmith, Blackwell's, Daunt Books, Barter Books, Waterstones. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | WHSmith | Blackwell's | Daunt Books | Barter Books | Waterstones | Foyles | Topping & Company Booksellers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 62.4% | 15.4% | 15.3% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.92% | 0.39% |
| Nov 2025 | 64.9% | 16% | 13% | 1.7% | 3.2% | 0.78% | 0.38% |
| Dec 2025 | 62% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 1.7% | 4.6% | 0.91% | 0.44% |
| Jan 2026 | 57.8% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.65% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.1% | 18.4% | 22.5% | 3.7% | 3% | 1.6% | 0.75% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.8% | 19.4% | 19.4% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.68% |
| Apr 2026 | 54% | 19.9% | 16.3% | 6% | 2.2% | 0.97% | 0.67% |
| May 2026 | 52.1% | 19.2% | 19.2% | 5.8% | 2.1% | 0.93% | 0.72% |
| Jun 2026 | 47.4% | 21.3% | 21.3% | 5.2% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 44.9% | 24.6% | 20.1% | 6% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.92% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.4% | 23.8% | 19.5% | 8.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.7% | 24.5% | 20% | 6% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 0.92% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 44.7% | 165K | 0% | +1.2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 24.5% | 90.5K | 0% | +0.7 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 20% | 74K | 0% | +0.6 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 6% | 22.2K | -32.9% | -2.7 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 2.7% | 9.9K | +22.2% | +0.5 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 1.2% | 4.4K | -18.5% | -0.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.92% | 3.4K | -12.8% | -0.1 points |
1.
WHSmith44.7%
Held 1st. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.
24.5%
Held 2nd. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
20%
Held 3rd. 74K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
6%
Held 4th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, -32.9% vs prior month. Share -2.7 points.
2.7%
Held 5th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
6.
Foyles1.2%
Held 6th. 4.4K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
Held 7th. 3.4K estimated branded searches, -12.8% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Barter Books and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Barter Books
6 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Barter Books changed in the United Kingdom over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Barter Books in the United Kingdom rose from 18.1K to 22.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Barter Books’ share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom increased from 3.1% to 6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Barter Books’ share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom peaked at 8.7% in August 2026 and was lowest at 1.7% in December 2025.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom bookstores in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, WHSmith gained share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom, from 43.4% to 44.7%.
In September 2026, Blackwell's gained share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom, from 23.8% to 24.5%.
In September 2026, Daunt Books gained share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom, from 19.5% to 20%.
In September 2026, Waterstones gained share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom, from 2.1% to 2.7%.
In September 2026, Barter Books lost share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom, from 8.7% to 6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Topping & Company Booksellers in the United Kingdom rose 46.6% over 12 measured months, from 2.3K to 3.4K in September 2026.
How are Barter Books’ branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Barter Books’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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