Researchers say book bans can actually lead to a book getting more eyes on its pages. The study by Carnegie Mellon University and George Mason University found that circulations of books rose after they were banned by an average of 12%.
Carnegie Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Uttara Ananthakrishnan tells KMOX it seems to be linked to high visibility on social media. "Basically if someone talks about a book being banned on X or other platforms that seemed to be driving all the effects."
Researchers used book circulation data from a library content and services supplier. They also compared it to data on reviews from Goodreads.
Ananthakrishnan says they also studied political use of book bans, "there was a significant increase in political contributions that are under $500 for Republicans compared to Democrats -- only in red states." Republican candidates did not see increased campaign donations if they were running on book ban issues in predominately Democratic states.
The working paper also notes that banning a book in one state, triggered an increase in circulation of the book in states with different political leanings.
The most commonly banned or challenged books feature topics involving race, gender identity, and sexuality.
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