Blackwell's vs Daunt Books:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Blackwell's had more branded searches than Daunt Books among bookstores in the United Kingdom. Blackwell's had about 90,500 branded searches, while Daunt Books had 74,000. Blackwell's made up 24.5% of all bookstore searches we track, and Daunt Books accounted for 20%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bookstores, Daunt Books appeared in three of the four answers and Blackwell's in two. Daunt Books was mentioned before Blackwell's in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Blackwell's, about 22% more searches than Daunt Books
Who does AI mention more?
Daunt Books, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Blackwell's in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Daunt Books, named ahead of Blackwell's in every answer
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Top bookstores in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Daunt Books was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Blackwell's was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Daunt Books was listed before Blackwell's in every answer.
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.
Is Blackwell's or Daunt Books more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Blackwell's and Daunt Books by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven bookstores we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Blackwell's, Daunt Books. 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% |
How has the Blackwell's and Daunt Books comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Daunt Books took it in February 2026, Blackwell's took it in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Blackwell's’ share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom moved from 15.4% to 24.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 90.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Daunt Books’ share of searches among bookstores in the United Kingdom moved from 15.3% to 20%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom bookstores in September 2026?
2 changes
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%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Blackwell's’ and Daunt Books’ 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.
Blackwell's
2 branded search terms
- blackwell s
- blackwells
Daunt Books
1 branded search term
- daunt books
Other head-to-heads among bookstores
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