Key Highlights:
- Spotify’s new Audiobook Recaps feature uses AI to summarize stories you’ve listened so far.
- Recaps update as you progress and don’t give spoilers.
- The feature preserves original narration and is currently available in bets for Premium users on iOS.
In 2025 alone, Spotify has rolled out a few new AI-powered features that can immensly improve how people engage with music and audio in general. Last month, Spotify also partnered with some major labels to create artist-first AI tools that can empower artists and lyricists by ensuring fair compensation and transparency.
Now, Spotify has launched yet another AI-powered feature called Audiobook Recaps. The company is rolling it out in beta for iOS users, but says it has plans to expand the feature down the line.
Spotify’s idea behind Audiobook Recaps
If you have ever paused an audiobook on Spotify for days or weeks and are unsure about where you were when returning, this feature is for you. Spotify says that Audiobook Recaps help listeners jump back into stories they have put down.
So, how does the Audiobook Recaps work? When you return to the audiobook you were listening to, you will see a “Recap” button at the top of the title page. You can simply tap it, and hear a short audio summary that covers everything you have already listened to. Do note that this AI-powered feature does not give spoilers for what’s ahead—you will only hear the story so far. Think of it as a quick catch-up with your beloved audiobook.
The first recap, Soptify says, is available after you listen to an audiobook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Subsequent recaps are updated as you progress. This way, you can always resume a story easily.
The company confirms it doesn’t train its AI models on audiobooks’ content
Spotify admits that it is an AI feature used to summarize the audiobook content and generate recaps using AI models. But, adds that it is not using the audiobook content to train its large language models (LLMs). Spotify also confirms that the feature does not replicate voice narration. The original narrator’s voice remains intact, and Audiobook Recaps do not replace or tries to mimic it.
The company developed the feature in collaboration with publishing partners, ensuring it does not undermine authors or narrators. As mentioned earlier, Audiobook Recaps are available in beta for Spotify Premium users on iOS, and are currently limited to a selection of English-language audiobooks.
Spotify plans to expand the catalog based on user feedback. “We believe recaps will help more listeners finish the books they start,” the company wrote in its announcement post.
Also read: How To Get Your Personalized Spotify Playlist With ChatGPTSpotify Audiobook Recaps
Not the newest of ideas, but the one that matters to all the audiobook fans out there
While Spotify’s Audiobook Recaps focus only on audiobooks, the concept of summarizing content using AI has long existed in the creative industry. Blinkist, for example, offers summaries called “Blinks” of nonfiction books, and is available in both text and audio. The idea is to help readers catch up with all key ideas in minutes.
Whereas, AI audio summary tools like Notta also provide quick summaries of video or audio recordings. It converts lengthy content into shorter, actionable recaps.
All that said, what sets Spotify’s Audiobook Recaps apart is that they integrate directly into the audiobook listening experience and adapt as you progress. For audiobook fans, this feature is handy because you don’t have to remember everything you’ve listened to. And that it lets you dive back into the story seamlessly. Moreover, the tool also offers a new way for publishers to retain audience engagement and reduce drop-off.
Spotify, with nearly 713 million monthly active users and 281 million paid subscribers, is currently one of the most popular music streaming giant. While many are skeptical about AI thesedays, Spotify is on the side of the ones who are embracing it. This year alone, Spotify has shown that it can keep up with the AI trend.
