BookScan: Tracking Global Print Book Sales and Industry Metrics
In the competitive world of publishing, knowing exactly how many copies of a book have sold is vital for measuring success. BookScan has emerged as the primary tool for this purpose, evolving from a service once viewed with skepticism into an industry standard used by publishers and media outlets alike.
Publishers rely on BookScan data to monitor the performance of their own titles and track the success of their competitors. Simultaneously, the media uses these figures as a benchmark to gauge a book's popularity. This transparency has even led to a rise in public discourse, with pundits frequently citing these numbers to debate the success or failure of specific authors.
How BookScan Works
BookScan operates by recording cash register sales. When a clerk scans the ISBN (International Standard Book Number)—the unique numeric commercial book identifier—at the point of sale, the transaction is tracked. This provides a real-time snapshot of retail movement.
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What is Included and Excluded
While powerful, BookScan focuses specifically on print media. It does not track ebook sales from major e-tailers such as Amazon Kindle, Apple, Google Play, Kobo, or the Barnes & Noble Nook. Additionally, the service does not capture non-retail sales, such as those made to libraries, or sales from specialty retailers who do not report their data to the service.
Measuring Public Domain Success
One of the most significant contributions of BookScan is its ability to provide metrics for books published by multiple houses. This is particularly useful for classic novels in the public domain. Previously, publishers and bookstores only had access to their own internal sales figures, making it impossible to calculate the total market reach of a classic work.
For example, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was available in 130 different editions on Amazon. By aggregating BookScan data, it was revealed that the novel sells approximately 110,000 copies per year, nearly two centuries after its original publication.
Global Reach and Availability
Managed by NIQ, BookScan has expanded its footprint far beyond the United States. The service currently operates in 10 international territories, providing critical data to global markets.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Active Territories | USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico |
| Upcoming Launch | Poland |
| Tracked Format | Print books (via ISBN barcode scans) |
| Excluded Formats | Ebooks, library sales, non-reporting specialty retailers |
Key Facts
- BookScan tracks print book sales by scanning ISBN barcodes at retail registers.
- It allows for the tabulation of total sales for public domain works published by multiple publishers.
- The service excludes all ebook sales from major platforms like Kindle and Apple.
- NIQ provides the service in 10 territories outside the U.S., with Poland scheduled for launch.
- The Wall Street Journal utilized BookScan data for its bestseller lists until autumn 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BookScan track ebook sales?
No, BookScan only tracks print book sales. It does not include ebook data from providers such as Amazon Kindle, Apple, Google Play, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble Nook.
How does BookScan collect its data?
The service records sales by tracking the ISBN of a book whenever a clerk scans the barcode at a participating retail cash register.
Can BookScan track books sold to libraries?
No, BookScan does not include non-retail sales channels, such as libraries, nor does it include data from specialty retailers who do not report to the service.
Why is BookScan useful for classic novels?
Because classic novels are often published by many different houses, BookScan is the only entity capable of summing sales across all editions to find the total market volume for a single title.
Which countries use BookScan?
In addition to the U.S., NIQ offers BookScan in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, with Poland expected to launch soon.