Spotify Launches Audiobook Recaps on iOS

Spotify is launching today a new Audiobook recap feature in beta on iOS that summarizes the content of an audiobook right up to the point where users stopped listening. The AI-powered feature has been developed with Spotify’s publishing partners, and audiobook recaps are currently only available for a subset of audiobooks in English.

“Much like a “previously on” feature for TV, Recaps help you easily reengage with a story without needing to relisten. Designed to reduce friction and keep you immersed, Recaps are part of our ongoing effort to make audiobook listening more seamless, intuitive, and listener friendly,” the announcement reads.

The Spotify team said that the AI-generated recaps will only appear in its iOS app after users have listened to the first 15-20 minutes of an audiobook. The Recap button will appear at the top of an audiobook’s page, and recaps will be automatically updated throughout users’ listening sessions.

Spotify made it clear that its AI-generated recaps “do not replicate narration or replace the original audiobook in any way.” The company also isn’t using protected audiobook content for AI training purposes.

Spotify has been investing heavily in AI in recent months with new features like its AI DJ and AI playlist, and the company likely won’t stop there. The platform has also become a popular destination for podcast listeners, and it will be interesting to see if Spotify brings similar audio recaps to its podcast library.