BookTok Drama is a subject we see a lot. Like any other social media platform TikTok can’t escape from drama and cancel culture. We have seen it happen on Myspace, Facebook, Instagram and of course Twitter/ X. TikTok is among the largest platforms in the world with 1.58 billion active users per month. BookTok is one of TikTok’s largest niche communities and according to various reports its primary hashtag has over 21 billion views.

The size of the BookTok community automatically means that creators and followers are very diverse. That’s beautiful because we see people from all over the world, from different races, beliefs and ethnicities, talking about their love for reading. Our love for books can unite us. Unfortunately, sharing opinions can also lead to heated discussions and further polarization on topics that divide us.

In the past years we have seen a variety of discussions and controversies on BookTok. NBC News even wrote an article called ‘Accusations of plagiarism, AI use and author bullying: ‘BookTok’ rocked by recent scandals’ in which they start their article by saying:

A scandal over allegations of plagiarism is rocking the book community on TikTok, becoming the latest drama to unfold in a pocket of the internet that was once considered a safer space from online toxicity.

The algorithm shows us the type of content we enjoy. And unfortunately, when we engage with drama on BookTok, the algorithm will feed us with more drama. It’ll probably come to a point where you feel there’s nothing but drama on BookTok.

Fortunately, that’s far from the truth. BookTok still consists of many warm and kind people who joined the community for their love of books.

If you want to stay away from the drama, here are three ways to teach the TikTok algorithm what you want to see on your feed:

• As tempting as it may be to give any creator a piece of your mind – don’t do it. Refrain from engaging with this type of hate content. So don’t comment and do not watch the entire video. Because engaging with the video simply means the algorithm thinks you are enjoying what you’re watching and it will give you more and more. Not engaging with drama also tells the creator that this type of content is not working for them which, in the best scenario, may lead to them choosing to make less engagement-bait videos of this kind.

• Actively disliking the content by clicking ‘Not Interested’ in the video options. It is this simple: hit the Share button on the creator’s video and then choose the second option on the bottom row: Not Interested. Then choose if you want to see less of this creator, the hashtag or the sound. You can also tell TikTok if you find the content too repetitive, too commercial, inappropriate or deceitful.

• Actively engage with content of creators you do appreciate. We sometimes take this content for granted but it is so important you keep on engaging with your favorite booktokers. Not only will it motivate them to keep on making new content, it will also tell TikTok that this is the side of BookTok that you love.

We hope that these tips help you find and enjoy BookTok, and to keep unwanted BookTok drama off your FYP. Let us know any other tips that you utilise to stay away from BookTok drama,