Spotify is entering the digital book market, adding new audiobook features

While Spotify users face yet another price hike, book lovers have an exciting development to look forward to that could help reduce the cost.

Spotify announced several updates to its audiobook business on Thursday, most notably its expansion into physical books. Users in the US and UK will soon be able to buy physical copies of their favorite audiobooks directly through the app, marking a significant pivot for the once digital-only platform.

The company also introduced two features designed to make the audiobook experience easier and more flexible, including a new tool called “Page Match” that allows users to scan a page from a physical book to switch to that location in the audiobook.

Additionally, “Audiobook Recaps”—a previously iOS-only feature—is coming to Android devices in the spring. This feature provides bite-sized recaps that fit the last section users stopped listening to.

Spotify’s decision to sell physical books through its app puts it in competition with major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The company also recognizes that many readers still value physical books, and by offering print and digital formats, Spotify is trying to make itself a one-stop shop for book lovers.

Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org in a new offering, an online marketplace that supports local, independent shops. This partnership is great news for indie booksellers, as every purchase made through Spotify will directly benefit local book communities.

The ability to purchase physical books will be rolled out this spring and appear on audiobook pages in the app as a button labeled “Add to your home bookshelf.” Clicking takes users to the Bookshop website, which handles pricing, inventory, and shipping.

To close the gap between formats, Spotify also introduced a feature called Page Match, which is currently available to premium subscribers and will be rolled out to all audiobook users in late February. This feature was first spotted by Android Authority last month.

Spotify’s new Page Match feature allows users to scan a page in a physical book or e-book using their phone’s camera. The tool analyzes page content and directs users to the exact location in the audiobook. It is powered by a combination of Spotify’s in-house and third-party computer vision and image scanning technology.

If users want to switch to an audiobook, they can select the “Scan to Listen” button and then click the “Scan to Read” button to return to the portable book, making it easy for users to pick up where they left off, whether they’re reading at home or switching to audio on the go.

Page Match is currently available for many English language topics, with plans for future expansion. There are now over 500,000 titles on the platform.

In the two years since Spotify first launched audiobooks, the platform has grown exponentially. The company reported in October that the number of users listening to audiobooks was up 36% last year, and listening hours were up 37%. Also, more than half of Spotify’s 281 million subscribers have engaged with an audiobook.

Spotify is expected to release its fourth quarter earnings results on February 10.