Spotify launches the ability to purchase physical books in the US and UK
Source: TechCrunch
Physical Book Purchase
In February, Spotify made an unusual move by entering the world of physical book sales. As of this week, the new feature is officially live in the U.S. and the U.K., allowing users to purchase physical books through the Spotify app.
Collaboration with Bookshop.org
The partnership is with Bookshop.org, an online marketplace that supports local, independent bookstores. On audiobook pages within the app, users now see a button labeled “Get a copy for your bookshelf.” Clicking the button directs them to Bookshop.org, which handles pricing, inventory, and shipping.
Device Availability
- Android: Physical‑book purchase is currently available.
- iOS: Expected to launch next week.
Strategic Context
The announcement positions Spotify as a competitor to major booksellers and aligns with its broader profitability strategy. The company has been increasing subscription prices in the U.S. and Europe and recently reported reaching 751 million monthly active listeners.
Page Match Expansion
Spotify has expanded its “Page Match” feature to support more than 30 additional languages, including French, German, and Swedish. Page Match lets users scan a page from a physical or e‑book with their smartphone camera; the tool analyzes the content and directs users to the corresponding section in the audiobook.
Since the feature’s launch for English‑language books in February, Spotify reports that users who employ Page Match stream 55 % more audiobook hours each week than other listeners, and 62 % of Page‑Matched titles are books users had never streamed before.
Audiobook Recaps
The “Audiobook Recaps” feature is now officially rolled out on Android devices. It provides short audio summaries tailored to the user’s most recent point in the story, making it easier to resume listening.
Audiobook Charts
Spotify’s “Audiobook Charts,” similar to its Music and Podcast Charts, are now available in Germany, following earlier rollouts in the U.S. and U.K. The charts help users discover popular and trending books on the platform.