Daniel Mercer
Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org to create an innovative way for readers to purchase physical books directly within the Spotify app, and this exciting feature is now available in both the US and UK.
Instead of viewing audiobooks as a threat to traditional print books, Spotify promotes the idea that these formats can coexist and enhance each other. This collaboration, announced earlier in February, signifies Spotify’s acknowledgment of the enduring popularity of physical books in the literary landscape. Bookshop.org serves as a vital digital marketplace aimed at empowering independent booksellers by bringing their businesses online. Spotify emphasizes that every purchase made through its app contributes directly to supporting local bookshops and the authors who craft these compelling stories.
How can you buy physical books through Spotify? When you browse an audiobook within the Spotify platform, you will now notice a “Get a copy for your bookshelf” link, which will redirect you to the Bookshop.org website to complete your purchase and handle shipping logistics, as reported by TechCrunch. This new feature is currently live for Android users, with support for iOS expected to roll out next week.
What is the Page Match feature? A crucial element of this collaboration is the newly introduced Page Match feature, which Spotify launched in February. This innovative functionality allows users to synchronize their reading progress across audiobooks, as well as physical books and ebooks, enabling a seamless transition between formats. For example, while reading a paperback, you can utilize your smartphone camera to scan the page you are currently on and continue listening to the audiobook from that exact point. This feature also works with ereaders, allowing you to pick up the audiobook at the same spot where you left off in your ebook.
Which languages does the Page Match feature support? Recently, Spotify has expanded the Page Match functionality to include support for over 30 new languages, such as French, German, and Swedish. Additionally, Audiobook Recaps are now accessible to Android users. Originally launched for iOS users last year, these AI-powered audio summaries help refresh your memory on your reading progress before you dive back into the book, becoming available once you surpass the 10-minute mark.
What audiobooks does Spotify offer? Since launching its audiobook service in 2022, Spotify now provides its Premium subscribers with up to 15 hours of complimentary listening time each month, offering a wide array of titles for users to explore.
