Spotify highlights six unique features that have been launched and are in testing that enhance the platform’s audiobook experience. As Spotify invests heavily in its audiobook catalogue, it’s fleshing out the listening experience.
One of the features currently in the pilot phase is the Author Pages. Dedicated profiles for audiobook authors are available on Spotify. Each Author Page includes biographical information about their background as well as body of work. These pages aggregate the author’s entire backlog that’s available on Spotify, making it easy for you to follow an author’s career. New releases will also appear on the Author Pages when available.
One of the more unique features that offers a lot of benefits is the built-in Sleep Timer function. In case after a long day, you begin to doze off while listening to an audiobook, Spotify can automatically stop after a predetermined time. Simply set the requested time you want Spotify to play before automatically stopping and you’re good to go. For Spotify Premium members who only have a preset amount of listening time each month, this can save precious minutes.
Spotify is currently testing a new video feature for authors and publishers. Submissions can feature a short blurb about a specific title. Authors and publishers can give Spotify users a brief snippet of an interview, recording session, message, etc. These videos are supposed to be designed to give a taste of the audiobook prior to users engaging with it and committing to listening.
Continuing on, Spotify is also supporting Countdown Pages. These save an audiobook before launch, almost like a Wishlist page. This way, it’ll become available within the Spotify library for the user when available. Every visit to the page will highlight how long it’ll be before the audiobook becomes available.
Spotify is also testing what it calls a “follow-along” feature on select audiobook titles. This feature offers an immersive visual experience, rich with time-synchronized illustrations, photos, and graphics. These appear as the audiobook goes on and is designed to enhance some of the context within the story. If available, the follow-along feature can be found in the ‘extras’ section of an audiobook.
Finally, Spotify supports audiobook playlists to use. As a means to organize titles, old favourites or new finds, audiobook playlists work very much like traditional audio playlists. This is a way for users to tailor the audiobook lists and curate the ones that are on their reading lists. Spotify also supports editorial playlists created by the audiobook team if you wish to check those out.
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