Spotify partnered with Bookshop.org in February to let users buy physical books of the audiobooks they listen to. Now, it’s a reality. Readers in the US and the U.K. can now purchase physical books via the Spotify app on Android. iOS users will have to wait until next week.
Bookshop.org which is an online marketplace that supports local, independent bookstores. On audiobook pages within Spotify, you’ll see a “Get a copy for your bookshelf” button, that takes you to Bookshop’s website when you click. This handles shipping, inventory, and pricing.
Spotify physical books are available
According to Spotify, connecting digital discovery with physical book sales gives listeners more ways to experience the stories while supporting authors and independent bookstores. This might be a way of Spotify aiming to become a one-stop shop for readers.
Other updates Spotify is rolling out include the expansion of its “Page Match feature, which now supports more than 30 additional languages, like French, Swedish, and German. Page Match is the feature that lets listeners move seamlessly between an audiobook and their printed or e-book edition.
Spotify reports that users who use Page Match stream an average of 55% more audiobook hours each week compared to other listeners. Also, 62% of the Page Matched audiobook titles on the app are books that users had never streamed previously.
Another announcement made by Spotify is that of Audiobook Recaps being available on Android. This offers short audio summaries tailored to the user’s most recent listening point to give a refresher on the story so far, making it easier to continue playing the book.
Furthermore, Audiobook Charts is now available in Germany, after rolling out in the US and UK. This is similar to Spotify’s Music and Podcast Charts, but it highlights trending titles to help users discover new books on Spotify.
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