Methodology

Classification

A title enters the Favedom corpus when it satisfies at least three of five qualifying evidence sources:

  1. Library circulation — meaningful checkout volume at one or more public library systems
  2. Award or YALSA recognition — inclusion on a recognized YA award list or YALSA selection
  3. Bestseller list — documented presence on a major YA or general bestseller list
  4. Publisher trade coverage — documented coverage in Publishers Weekly, Publishers Marketplace, or equivalent trade press
  5. Adaptation activity — optioned, in production, or released as a film, television series, or other adaptation

Borderline titles — those that meet some but not all criteria clearly — go to editorial curatorial review before promotion. No automated scoring or weighting is applied.

Evidence Model

Every popularity claim on a Work page cites its source and as-of date. Claims are stored as discrete evidence records, not aggregated scores. When a source updates (a new circulation snapshot, a new award cycle), a new evidence record is appended — the prior record is preserved.

Sourcing

Primary sources include: Open Library, Wikidata, Google Books, YALSA, ALA award announcements, Publishers Weekly, Publishers Marketplace, Deadline, and library system catalog data. Source roles and evaluation notes are documented in the internal source matrix.

Cover Images

Cover images are displayed under one of three approved bases: confirmed publisher permission, Open Library’s Covers API (under a documented operating stance with responsive takedown posture), or Amazon Creators API (once eligibility is reached). Images without a documented provenance basis are replaced with a branded placeholder — not inferred, assumed, or pulled from unapproved sources.

Updates

Corpus data is updated on a defined cadence per data type. Adaptation status and commerce availability are reviewed monthly. Bibliographic facts are reviewed quarterly. Popularity evidence is aligned to each source’s own publication cycle.