Introduction
Spotify has long been a favorite platform for streaming music and podcasts, but it recently expanded into the world of audiobooks, offering listeners an easy way to enjoy popular books on the go. This guide will help you explore Spotify’s audiobook collection and understand the steps to start listening, whether you’re a newcomer to audiobooks or an experienced listener looking to try Spotify’s service.
Understanding Spotify’s Audiobook Collection
Spotify’s audiobook collection may be smaller than dedicated audiobook platforms like Audible or Audiobooks.com, but it’s growing. Spotify premium offers a mix of classic books, modern bestsellers, self-help books, and exclusive audiobook content. The company has invested in expanding its collection, so new titles are regularly added, giving you a broader selection to choose from over time.
Spotify currently offers both free audiobooks (often in the public domain) and paid audiobooks, which can be bought directly on the platform. Knowing this will help you decide what kind of listening experience you’d like, whether you’re ready to buy individual titles or start with free classics.
Setting Up Your Spotify Account
To start listening to audiobooks, you’ll need a Spotify account. If you don’t have one, here’s how to set it up:
Download the Spotify App: Spotify is available on mobile devices, desktops, and tablets, so download the app from your device’s app store or access it via the web.
Create an Account: You can sign up for a free Spotify account using an email address or sign up through Facebook or Google.
Choose Your Subscription Plan: Spotify has both free and Premium (paid) subscriptions. Premium users enjoy an ad-free experience, which may be a bonus for those who prefer uninterrupted listening. However, audiobooks on Spotify without needing available for purchase, so whether you have a free or Premium account, the buying process for audiobooks is similar.
Spotify’s free plan will give you access to their free audiobooks, but for a more extensive collection, you may need to purchase specific titles.
Navigating to the Audiobooks Section
Spotify’s interface is intuitive, but finding audiobooks can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the layout. Follow these steps to locate the audiobooks section:
Open the Spotify App: Make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
Tap on the “Search” Tab: This is usually located at the bottom of your screen on mobile devices or on the left panel for desktops.
Type “Audiobooks”: Once you’re on the search page, type “audiobooks” in the search bar. Spotify may display popular audiobooks and audiobook playlists right on the search results page.
Explore Categories: In the audiobooks section, Spotify offers categories such as “New Releases,” “Popular Audiobooks,” and “Staff Picks.” Browse these to see what titles are available.
Searching for Specific Audiobooks
Enter the Book Title or Author’s Name: Go to the “Search” tab, type the title of the book you’re interested in, or type in the author’s name. This search should pull up the exact title or related titles if they’re available on Spotify.
Check for Availability: Not all books are on Spotify, so you might not find every title. If the book isn’t available, try exploring related recommendations, as Spotify often suggests similar audiobooks.
Purchasing an Audiobook on Spotify
To listen to certain audiobooks on Spotify, especially newer titles, you may need to purchase them. Here’s how the purchase process works:
Find the Audiobook: Navigate to the audiobook you’d like to purchase.
Click “Buy Audiobook”: Spotify will direct you to an external web browser to complete the purchase.
Complete the Payment: Follow the prompts to finalize your purchase. Once purchased, the audiobook will be available in your library, where you can access it at any time.
It’s worth noting that Spotify’s audiobook purchasing process takes place outside the app, so you’ll need to return to the app after completing the purchase.
Starting to Listen: Playback Options and Controls
Once you have your audiobook ready, here’s how to start listening:
Go to “Your Library”: You can find purchased and saved audiobooks in the “Your Library” section. Tap on the audiobook you want to listen to.
Use Playback Controls: Spotify’s audiobook playback includes essential controls like play, pause, fast-forward, and rewind. You can also see how long you’ve listened and how much time is left in each chapter.
Set Your Listening Speed: Spotify lets you adjust playback speed, which is great if you prefer a slower or faster pace. This option is usually found in the playback settings, indicated by a small icon (often labeled “1x”) that allows you to select speeds from 0.5x to 3x.
Using Bookmarks and Resuming Listening
Spotify doesn’t offer a traditional bookmarking feature, but it remembers where you left off:
Automatic Resume: When you close the app or switch to another audiobook, Spotify will save your place in the audiobook so you can pick up right where you left off.
Chapter Navigation: Many audiobooks on Spotify are divided into chapters or segments, making it easy to navigate through sections if you want to re-listen or skip parts.
Creating Playlists: You can create a playlist for your audiobooks, especially if they’re split into multiple parts. Add each part to the playlist in order, and you’ll have an organized sequence of chapters to listen to without navigating back and forth.
Offline Listening
Download the Audiobook: If you’re on a Premium plan, you can download your purchased audiobook for offline listening. Tap on the “Download” button next to the audiobook title, and Spotify will save it to your device.
Access Your Downloads: Go to “Your Library” and select “Downloads.” Here, you’ll see all downloaded content, including your audiobooks, allowing you to listen even without an internet connection.
Exploring Spotify’s Free Audiobook Content
Spotify offers some audiobooks at no additional cost, especially those that are public domain works. These free audiobooks are a great way to sample Spotify’s audiobook experience without a purchase.
Find Free Audiobooks: Search for playlists like “Free Audiobooks” or “Public Domain Audiobooks.” These playlists include classics like “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen or “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville.
Listen Without Commitment: Unlike purchased audiobooks, these free selections don’t require any purchase, and you can enjoy them as part of Spotify’s free or Premium offerings.
Tips for a Better Audiobook Experience on Spotify
Use Headphones or a Bluetooth Speaker: Good sound quality can improve your audiobook experience.
Try Different Genres: If you’re new to audiobooks, Spotify offers various genres like mystery, romance, history, and self-help.
Set Listening Goals: If you have a goal to finish a certain number of books, track your listening time and pace yourself.
Explore Author Narrations: Some audiobooks on Spotify are narrated by the authors themselves, adding a personal touch that can be enjoyable to hear.
Conclusion
Spotify has made it easier than ever to start listening to audiobooks whether you’re looking to enjoy classics or explore new titles. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll be ready to browse, purchase, and listen to audiobooks on Spotify in no time. From finding audiobooks to managing playback and even downloading for offline use, Spotify provides a user-friendly experience that’s perfect for both new and seasoned audiobook listeners. Enjoy diving into a new story, learning something new, or simply passing the time with a great audiobook!
Q1. Can I listen to audiobooks for free on Spotify?
Yes, Spotify offers some audiobooks for free, especially classic books in the public domain. However, newer and popular titles generally require a one-time purchase.
Q2. Do I need Spotify Premium to listen to audiobooks?
No, you don’t need a Premium account to access audiobooks. Both free and Premium users can purchase audiobooks on Spotify. However, Premium users enjoy additional perks like offline listening.
Q3. How do I buy audiobooks on Spotify?
You can purchase audiobooks by navigating to the book you want and selecting the “Buy Audiobook” option. This process will take you to an external browser to complete the transaction, after which the audiobook will appear in your library.
Q4. Can I download audiobooks for offline listening?
Yes, but only if you’re a Spotify Premium user. Once purchased, Premium users can download audiobooks for offline listening by selecting the “Download” option.
Q5. Will Spotify remember where I left off in my audiobook?
Yes, Spotify automatically saves your place when you stop listening, so you can resume where you left off when you come back.