Spotify is expanding its reach beyond audio, venturing into the sale of physical books and introducing new features designed to seamlessly integrate the listening and reading experiences. The move, announced on , positions the streaming giant as a direct competitor to established booksellers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, while also aiming to support independent bookstores.
Bridging the Gap Between Audio and Physical Books
Starting this spring, users in the U.S. And the U.K. Will be able to purchase physical copies of audiobooks they enjoy directly through the Spotify app. This represents a significant shift for the company, traditionally focused on digital content delivery. The integration isn’t a direct sales channel managed by Spotify. instead, users clicking the “Add to your bookshelf at home” button on audiobook pages will be redirected to Bookshop.org, an online marketplace that champions local, independent bookstores. Spotify will earn an affiliate fee on each sale, while Bookshop.org handles pricing, inventory and shipping.
This partnership with Bookshop.org is a key element of Spotify’s strategy. By directing purchases to a platform that supports independent booksellers, Spotify is attempting to differentiate itself from larger competitors and appeal to consumers who prioritize supporting local businesses. Every purchase made through Spotify will directly benefit local book communities, a feature increasingly valued by readers.
New Features Enhance the Audiobook Experience
Alongside the expansion into physical books, Spotify is rolling out two new features aimed at improving the overall audiobook experience. The first, “Page Match,” is a particularly innovative tool. It allows users to scan a page from a physical book with their smartphone, and the app will instantly jump to the corresponding point in the audiobook. This feature aims to provide a more synchronized and immersive experience for those who enjoy both reading and listening.
The second new feature, “Audiobook Recaps,” which was previously available only on iOS, is being extended to Android devices this spring. These recaps provide concise summaries of the last section a user listened to, helping them quickly re-orient themselves when resuming an audiobook after a break. This addresses a common pain point for audiobook listeners – the difficulty of remembering details after extended listening sessions.
Spotify’s Growing Commitment to Audiobooks
Spotify’s foray into physical books and these new features underscore the company’s growing commitment to the audiobook market. Since launching its audiobook offering within its Premium subscription in , Spotify has significantly expanded its catalog, growing from 150,000 titles to 400,000 titles in English-language markets. This expansion has been driven by deals with leading publishers, including Bloomsbury, Podium, and Crooked Lane Books.
The company has also expanded its audiobook offerings geographically, launching in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg last year. Early results from these markets have been promising, indicating a growing appetite for audiobooks on the Spotify platform.
Driving Discovery and Growth in a Competitive Market
Spotify’s approach to audiobooks differs from traditional credit-based models. Instead of limiting access to a certain number of books per month, Spotify encourages exploration and discovery. The platform leverages both algorithmic recommendations, based on listening history, and human curation, with expert editors creating playlists and thematic collections. This discovery-driven model appears to be attracting new audiences to the audiobook format.
According to Spotify, listeners on the platform in the U.K., the U.S., and Australia have increased by 30% year-over-year. This growth aligns with data from Nielsen’s Bookdata for the U.K., which shows that 24% of users who consumed an audiobook in did so for the first time that year. Audiobook listening hours on Spotify have also increased by more than 35% year-over-year in those same markets.
A Response to Price Hikes and a Changing Landscape
The timing of these announcements is noteworthy, coming as Spotify users face another price increase for their subscriptions. The expansion into physical books and the introduction of new features can be seen as an attempt to add value for subscribers and offset the impact of higher prices.
Spotify’s move also reflects a broader trend in the media landscape, where companies are increasingly seeking to diversify their revenue streams and offer a more comprehensive range of services. By becoming a one-stop shop for both audio and physical books, Spotify is positioning itself for long-term growth in a competitive market.
