JUMP BACK IN

Introducing Audiobook Recaps, a New Way to Reengage With Your Favorite Stories

November 13, 2025

Today, Spotify is beginning to roll out a powerful new feature designed to help listeners jump back into stories they’ve put down, whether it’s after a busy week or a doze during a bedtime story, or simply needing a quick refresher before diving back in. Introducing audiobook Recaps: short audio summaries tailored to your most recent listening point.

A tool to help great stories be heard . . . and finished

Recaps only cover the portion of the book you’ve already heard. 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.

J.H. Markert, author of Spider to the Fly, described Recaps as “an audio bookmark that speaks,” adding, “Using it once blew my mind. As sophisticated as it is smart, this feature is a must for any audiobook lovers out there.” 

How Recaps work 

Developed in collaboration with our publishing partners, Recaps reflect Spotify’s commitment to helping more stories get heard and giving authors new ways to engage listeners. Here’s how the feature works:

    • When you return to a story, tap the Recap button at the top of an audiobook’s page to hear a tailored summary of what’s happened so far.
    • Your first Recap will be available after you’ve listened to the first 15-20 minutes of a book. After that, they’re regularly updated to match your progress, helping you rejoin a story without spoilers or full book summaries. 
    • Recaps use AI technology to help you catch up, but the work of authors and narrators stays protected: We are not using audiobook content for LLM training purposes or voice generation, and Recaps do not replicate narration or replace the original audiobook in any way.

Recaps are currently in beta, available on iOS for a limited selection of English-language titles, with plans to expand over time. As with many of our features, we’re taking a feedback-driven approach and will continue to iterate and enhance Recaps as we learn.

We see endless potential to reimagine how people engage with books and believe Recaps will help more listeners finish the books they start, turning casual listeners into consistent audiobook fans and deepening the connection between authors and their audiences. We’ll continue investing in technology that makes Spotify more dynamic for booklovers, authors, and publishers alike.