Spotify Partners with Bookshop.org to Sell Physical Books on App

• Spotify's audiobook service has seen 36% growth in new listeners and 37% increase in listening hours since launching two years ago
• The company will introduce 'Page Match' technology allowing users to scan printed or e-book pages to sync with corresponding audiobook positions, rolling out fully by February 23
• The expansion comes amid broader industry struggles, with News Corp reporting slowing book orders and distributor Baker & Taylor shutting down in January

Spotify Expands into Physical Book Sales Through Bookshop.org Partnership

Spotify announced Thursday it will begin selling physical books through its streaming platform via a partnership with online retailer Bookshop.org, marking a strategic expansion beyond its existing audiobooks business. The move aims to strengthen the company's competitive position against rivals Apple and Amazon.

Key Developments:

The physical book purchasing feature will launch in spring 2026 for users in the U.S. and U.K., with Bookshop.org managing pricing, inventory, and fulfillment. Spotify is introducing "Page Match," an innovative tool allowing users to scan printed or e-book pages to jump to corresponding audiobook moments and vice versa. This feature will be available on most English-language titles at launch, with full rollout to all audiobook users planned by February 23.

Business Performance:

Since launching audiobooks two years ago, Spotify has expanded its Audiobooks in Premium service to 22 global markets with over 500,000 English-language titles. The platform has seen strong growth, with new listeners up 36% and listening hours increasing 37%.

Market Context:

The expansion comes as physical book sales face headwinds from growing e-book adoption. News Corp recently reported slowing book publishing orders, while Baker & Taylor, a nearly 200-year-old library book distributor, ceased operations in January.

Additional Changes:

Spotify has raised monthly premium subscription prices in the United States, Estonia, and Latvia markets.

The partnership represents an unconventional strategy to differentiate Spotify's content ecosystem while leveraging synergies between physical and digital reading formats.