Spotify has launched Audiobook Recaps, a new feature designed to help listeners easily return to audiobooks after a period of time away. The tool provides short, tailored audio summaries based on each user’s most recent listening point, offering a quick refresher without requiring them to relisten to earlier chapters.
The feature functions much like the “previously on” recaps familiar from television. Spotify says Recaps are designed to reduce friction, keep listeners engaged, and make audiobook listening more seamless and intuitive. Each recap covers only the portion of the book the listener has already heard, avoiding spoilers or full-book summaries.
Author J.H. Markert, who wrote Spider to the Fly, praised the experience, calling Recaps “an audio bookmark that speaks,” and adding, “Using it once blew my mind. As sophisticated as it is smart, this feature is a must for any audiobook lovers out there.”
Developed in collaboration with publishing partners, the feature reflects Spotify’s broader effort to help authors reach a wider audience and provide listeners with new ways to engage with long-form storytelling. Recaps are generated using AI and are updated regularly as the listener progresses through the book. Spotify emphasized that audiobook content is not being used for LLM training or voice generation, and that the summaries do not replicate original narration.
Recaps are currently available in beta on iOS across a limited selection of English-language titles. Spotify plans to expand availability over time and will refine the experience based on user feedback.
The company stated that the introduction of Recaps strengthens its vision for more dynamic and engaging audiobook experiences, with the potential to help more listeners complete the books they start and deepen connections between authors and their audiences.
