GoKawiilCan one of the largest providers of music streaming services save the corner bookstore? On Wednesday, Spotify launched a feature in the US and UK that will let some subscribers order a physical book with a single click in the app.
The feature is through a partnership with Bookshop.org, an online merchant whose mission is "to help local, independent bookstores thrive in the age of e-commerce." The seller gives 80% of its profits to independent bookstores and has raised more than $46 million since its launch in 2020. Book buyers can either purchase from an independent store or directly from the site, with a portion of their purchase going into a profit-sharing pool.
Spotify's global head of audiobooks, Owen Smith, said in a news statement that the streaming giant wants to make "reading fit into modern life" and make "it easier for people to engage with books while supporting growth for authors and publishers along the way." Spotify's collaboration with Bookshop was announced in February.
Spotify said the new feature was "rolling out" to Android users on Wednesday and should be accessible on iOS devices next week. Customers can buy a physical copy of one of the 60,000 top titles on the app, and the feature is available to both free and Premium Spotify subscribers.
Spotify provided images showing how to access the new feature. When you navigate to an audiobook, scroll past the description in the "About" tab to the section that says "Get the printed edition." Tapping the row with the book cover and format opens a dialog with the heading "Buy from Bookshop.org." You can then tap the link and begin the purchasing process.
A Spotify representative told CNET that you might need to update your app if the "print edition" option doesn't appear.
Here is how Spotify Premium subscribers will see some audiobook titles available on Bookshop.org. Spotify
Even in the digital age, physical books still seem to be thriving. According to market research and consulting firm Grand View Research, hard-copy books accounted for more than 78% of book sales revenue in 2025, with "an opportunity to disconnect from screens and escape the constant interruptions of texts, emails and notifications."
In its January survey, the American Booksellers Association said 73% of respondents reported their sales increasing in 2025 compared with 2024.
Ray Daniels, chief communications officer at the American Booksellers Association, told CNET that the Spotify-Bookshop collaboration is great for independent bookstores.
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