How To Get On Booktok

Getting on BookTok, the vibrant literary corner of TikTok, is all about understanding both the community and the algorithm. First, immerse yourself in the culture. Spend time watching BookTok videos, noting trends, hashtags, and the types of books that generate buzz. Romance, fantasy, thrillers, and emotionally resonant reads (like It Ends With Us or The Song of Achilles) often dominate.

Next, find your niche. Are you passionate about dark academia? YA fantasy? Indie authors? Focus your content on what excites you. Authenticity shines through on BookTok — readers can tell when someone genuinely loves what they’re recommending. Share your reactions to plot twists, unpopular opinions, or emotional breakdowns over a favorite character. Be expressive. Let your love (or rage) for a book show.

Use trending sounds and challenges to your advantage. For instance, match books to vibes (e.g., "books that feel like a rainy Sunday") or create “If you liked ___, read ___” recommendation chains. These formats are engaging and easy to replicate, increasing shareability.

Aesthetics matter too. While not everything needs to be visually perfect, appealing lighting, book stacks, cozy backgrounds, and smooth transitions can elevate your video. Still, don’t let perfectionism stall your creativity — a raw, emotionally charged video can go just as viral.

Hashtags are key: #BookTok, #BookRecommendation, #MustReadBooks, #SpicyReads, and niche-specific ones help you reach the right audience. Post consistently but sustainably. The more you post, the more chances TikTok has to push your content, but quality > quantity.

Engage with the community. Comment on other BookTokers' videos, duet or stitch their content, respond to questions with your own take. Build connections — BookTok is a social space, not just a platform for broadcasting.

Lastly, don’t chase virality. Focus on connecting with people who share your taste in stories. One passionate follower is worth more than a thousand views from random scrollers. Keep reading, keep sharing, and stay true to your voice — BookTok will find you.

So you wanna get on BookTok? Here's the thing — it’s way more chill than you might think. You don’t need to be a professional book reviewer or have a massive bookshelf with LED lights (though that’s cool too). Honestly, just start by sharing your feels.

Read a book? Loved it? Hated it? Cried at 2 a.m. and threw it across the room? That’s your first TikTok right there.

BookTok is all about relatability. People love hearing other readers’ chaotic thoughts, dramatic rants, emotional recommendations, and “books that broke me” lists. You don’t need fancy editing — just flip on your camera and talk like you would to your best friend.

Also, use sounds that are trending. If you see a Taylor Swift audio going viral with sad book recs, jump in and make your version. Use BookTok hashtags (#booktok, #readingrecommendations, #booklovers) and don’t be afraid to repeat formats. They work for a reason.

One tip I swear by: show your genuine reactions. Crying? Laughing? Screaming internally? Say it. That emotional connection is what makes people hit the like button — or the follow.

Don’t worry if you’re not reading new releases either. Tons of older books get revived on BookTok just because someone made a good video about them.

And hey — comment on other BookTokers’ stuff too! Join the conversation. It’s more fun that way.

Wanna get on BookTok? Here’s what you do:

First — pick a book. Ideally one that’s super emotional, has a twist, or some spicy scenes. Think Fourth Wing, The Cruel Prince, A Court of Thorns and Roses — you get the vibe.

Then:

Grab your phone.

Find a trending audio (bonus points if it’s dramatic).

Record yourself reacting or holding the book with captions like:

“This book RUINED me 😭”

“I’ll never recover from chapter 37.”

“If you like enemies to lovers, read THIS.”

Post that. Add hashtags: #BookTok, #BookRec, #SpicyBooks, #TBR, etc.

Repeat. Seriously. Consistency helps TikTok learn your niche.

Also — engage! Comment on other BookTokers, stitch a “hot take,” or do a “Books I’d sell my soul to read again” video.

Aesthetic lighting? Cool. But not necessary. Just be you. Authentic vibes hit harder than polished ones.

Boom. You’re on BookTok.

Getting on BookTok? Super easy. Just pick a book you love (or hate) and talk about it on camera. Say what it made you feel. Cry, scream, rant — be honest. People love real reactions. Use trending sounds, throw in a few hashtags like #BookTok or #BooksThatHurtMe, and post it. Don’t stress about perfect lighting or fancy editing. Just hit record, share the vibe, and scroll around to get inspo. Comment on other videos too — BookTok loves interaction. Keep posting and having fun. That’s literally it. TikTok’s algorithm will pick you up if you stay active and authentic.