What Are The Best Selling Ebook Categories Over The Past 4 Years?

When you look at the best selling ebook categories from 2020 to 2025 it reveals notable trends and shifts in reader preferences.

What isn't defined is if these ebook categories are in higher demand in lower prices. Or if marketing factor are at work. What is known is that it depends.

Fiction ebooks, such as romance, mystery, and science fiction, are typically priced lower to attract a broader readership. Pricing strategies often involve experimentation, with prices adjusted based on factors like author recognition and market demand.
Educational ebooks, including textbooks and professional guides, often command higher prices due to their specialized content and the value they provide in academic or professional settings.
Marketing practice. Some ebooks are priced strategically low or offered for free as part of marketing campaigns to generate buzz or introduce readers to a series or author. We would also assume that if Game Of Thrones is doing well on TV then that buzz is also going to increase the sales of other related themed books.

It is also worthy to note if some of these categories were related to the COVID lockdown- roughly at the end of 2019/ start of 2020. Those categories show escapism and non-fiction dominating. However in 2021 we start to get personal development and self-help. People are trying to improve themselves. And in 2022? Financial literacy.

Here's a year-by-year breakdown:

2020 best selling ebook categories:

Mystery/Thriller: This genre led eBook sales, captivating readers with suspenseful narratives and intricate plots.
Romance: Accounting for 25% of all eBook sales, romance novels maintained a strong presence, appealing to a broad audience.
Science Fiction: With 15% of the eBook market share, science fiction continued to engage readers interested in futuristic and speculative themes.

2021

Romance: The genre's popularity persisted, with subgenres like "new romance" (combining romantic tales with erotic scenes) gaining traction.
Personal Development and Self-Help: EBooks focusing on mindfulness, productivity, and mental health saw increased demand as readers sought personal growth resources.

2022

Health and Wellness: EBooks on fitness programs, nutrition, and holistic health practices experienced significant growth, reflecting a global emphasis on well-being.
Business and Money Management: Resources offering financial literacy and business strategies became popular, catering to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals.

2023

Science Fiction and Fantasy: The "romantasy" subgenre, blending romance and fantasy, surged in popularity, driven by platforms like TikTok's BookTok community.
Erotic Fiction: A notable rise in erotic fiction, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, highlighted a growing interest in explorative narratives.

Best selling ebook categories for 2024

Romantasy: This hybrid genre continued its upward trajectory, with authors like Rebecca Yarros leading best-seller lists.
Mental Health and Wellness: The demand for literature on mental health and wellness remained strong, reflecting societal focus on these topics.

And if we evaluate the trends within ebook categories?

Romance and Its Subgenres: The romance genre, including subgenres like "new romance" and "romantasy," remained a dominant force in the eBook market.
Personal Development and Self-Help: EBooks offering guidance on personal growth, productivity, and mental well-being maintained steady popularity.
Health and Wellness: Literature focusing on physical health, nutrition, and holistic practices continued to attract a wide readership.
Science Fiction and Fantasy: These genres, especially when combined with romantic elements, saw significant growth, appealing to readers seeking escapism and imaginative storytelling.

So initially you will find that "romance" was high in the best selling ebook categories. But people then started to niche out- either readers or authors. Authors especially as the niche probably got too crowded and competitive and they niched down even more.

In this case niching further down opens up new categories. Also adding multiple niches together also is helpful. You get two niche audiences and you get a "new" niche. For example: