While Spotify users face yet another price hike, book lovers can look forward to some exciting events that could help soften the blow.
Spotify announced several updates for its audiobook business on Thursday, most notably an expansion into physical books. Users in the US and UK will soon be able to purchase physical copies of their favorite audiobooks directly through the app, marking a major milestone for the previously digital-only platform.
The company also introduced two features designed to make the audiobook experience smoother and more flexible, including a new tool called “Page Match,” which allows users to scan a page from a physical book and instantly jump to that spot in the audiobook.
Additionally, “Audiobook Recaps” — previously an iOS-only feature — is coming to Android devices this spring. This feature provides short recaps tailored to the last section users stopped listening to.
Spotify’s decision to sell physical books through its app puts it in a position to compete with major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The company also recognizes that many readers still appreciate physical books, and by offering both print and digital formats, Spotify aims to turn itself into a one-stop shop for book lovers.
Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org for a new offering, an online marketplace that supports local, independent bookstores. This partnership is great news for independent 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 will appear on the audiobook pages in the app as a button labeled “Add to your shelf at home.” Clicking takes users to the Bookshop website, which handles pricing, inventory and shipping.
Techcrunch event
Boston, MA
|
June 23, 2026
To bridge the gap between formats, Spotify is also launching a feature called Page Match, which is currently available to premium subscribers and will roll out to all audiobook users at the end of February. The feature was originally spotted by Android Authority last month.
Spotify’s new Page Match feature allows users to scan a page from a physical or e-book using their phone’s camera. The tool analyzes the content of the page and directs the user to the exact place in the audiobook. It’s powered by a combination of Spotify’s internal technologies and third-party computer vision and image scanning.
When users want to switch to an audiobook, they can select the “Scan to Listen” button and click the “Scan to Read” button to return to the physical 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 most English language titles with plans for future expansion. There are now more than 500,000 titles on the platform.
In the two years since Spotify first introduced audiobooks, the platform has seen significant growth. The company said in October that the number of users listening to audiobooks grew by 36% over the past year, and the number of hours listened to grew by 37%. Additionally, more than half of Spotify’s 281 million premium subscribers have used an audiobook.
Spotify is expected to report its fourth quarter results on February 10.