bestseller

A bestseller is a book or other product that sells in unusually high numbers within a defined market and time frame. In publishing, the term most often refers to books that reach broad audiences and generate sustained demand, enabling wide distribution, prominent shelf placement, and active marketing.

Bestseller status is commonly signaled by inclusion on recognized lists. The New York Times Best Seller List, started in 1931, is among the most cited for U.S. sales. Other major lists include USA Today’s top sellers, the Wall Street Journal’s bestsellers, and Publishers Weekly lists. Criteria vary: some lists use unit sales, others revenue; formats such as hardback, paperback, and e-book may be counted separately; and data sources range from retailers and distributors to publisher-reported figures. Lists may cover national, regional, or international markets.

Being labeled a bestseller can raise visibility, shape consumer perception, and influence publishing decisions about marketing, pricing, and print runs. However, bestseller status does not measure quality or guarantee long-term acclaim, and methodologies differ across lists, which can introduce biases or distort comparisons across markets or time.

While the term is most associated with books, it is also applied to other products whose sales reach top levels, including music, films, and video games. The overarching idea is market demand rather than a judgment of merit.

Notable examples of widely recognized bestsellers include titles such as the Harry Potter series and The Da Vinci Code, illustrating how mass appeal and marketing can elevate a work to bestseller status.