Which Platforms are Trending?

By now, it should come as no surprise that social media is the place to be if you are an author in 2025. For even the most successful or popular in the publishing industry, authors stand much to gain by joining the millions around the world in the digital sphere and with so many platforms at your fingertips, the opportunity to share your work is limitless. 

While it may be tempting to jump right in and sign up for accounts on platforms that are currently trending, some consideration should be given to which ones have proven to be effective for authors and the marketing of their books. The old faithful, like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube are still the most commonly used platforms for good reason, however newer channels are also making waves and are quickly becoming top choices for some authors. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the reasons why several popular social media platforms resonate with writers and have consistently been successful in their promotional and engagement efforts. Whether you are still new in your publishing journey or simply just trying to up your existing social media game, take the time to reflect on what best aligns with your personal goals. 

1. Facebook - 

What would a list of social media platforms be without including perhaps the biggest of them all? Facebook has been widely used by authors for years because of its established user base and potential for reaching a diverse audience. The set up process is relatively easy, and the navigation is user-friendly for people of all ages. Authors in particular have shown appreciation for the platform’s versatility, offering a number of ways to utilize it for marketing and brand building. Facebook services include the opportunity to share news, photos, and videos as well as live video to interact with followers in real time. Even as other platforms have risen in popularity over the years, Facebook has strongly maintained its global audience with users ranging across all demographics. 

2. Instagram -

We all know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover (or an author by their social media pages), and while that is true, what you post absolutely matters, especially when it comes to attracting your target audience. Instagram is the perfect platform to proudly show off your book covers with visually appealing posts, get creative with your content, and present your work in eyecatching ways. Bonus? Features like reels and stories are fun ways to consistently engage with your community in a less structured format and allow you to truly immerse yourself in what makes social media an exciting place to be. 

3. TikTok -

The newest of the bunch, but certainly not the least in popularity rank among social media users, is the platform dubbed “BookTok” in the literature community. Exploding on the scene during the pandemic, TikTok has revolutionized the way creators share their work. For authors in particular who are looking to target a younger audience, the platform offers a unique opportunity to interact with readers at large. Short form content, like catchy videos with audio and voice overlay and an algorithm favoring new users easily increases engagement and can quickly help build an online community. The BookTok hashtag is one of the most popular and often searched, naturally making way for others to discover new authors. 

No matter which platform you choose to invest your time and marketing efforts in, social media is a great tool to help you not only stay connected to your audience but also potentially reach new readers. Some you may find you like more than others, but each platform offers opportunities to share your work and should only come with one rule or expectation–have fun and allow the rest of the world to join you! DG