Spotify has begun rolling out a major new audiobook feature that helps listeners quickly pick up the thread of a story after a break, or need a refresher before diving back in.
Recaps are short, tailored audio summaries that cover only the portion of a book a listener has already heard.
Acting like a personal “previously on” segment, they are designed to make it easier for people to stay immersed in stories without relistening to long sections or losing momentum during a busy week.
Spotify describes the tool as the latest step in its ongoing effort this year to make audiobook listening more intuitive and seamless across the platform.
Author J.H. Markert, whose novel Spider to the Fly is among the supported titles, called the feature “an audio bookmark that speaks,” explaining that using it once “blew my mind,” and describing Recaps as a must for committed audiobook fans who want to stay connected to the stories they love.
The new tool has been developed in collaboration with publishing partners, and Spotify stresses that it is built to support authors and narrators rather than replace them.
The platform notes that audiobook content is not being used for LLM training or voice generation, and Recaps are not intended to mimic narration or stand in for the original recordings.
Instead, they offer a quick, spoiler-free summary that updates dynamically as listeners make progress through a book.
It works in a simple way. When a listener returns to an audiobook, a Recap button appears at the top of the book’s page, giving instant access to a personalised audio summary.
The first Recap becomes available once a listener has completed roughly 15 to 20 minutes of a title and then refreshes automatically as they move through the story.
By covering only the chapters already heard, the summaries allow listeners to rejoin the plot confidently without risking accidental glimpses of future twists.
Recaps are currently in beta and available on iOS for a limited selection of English-language titles, with Spotify adopting a feedback-driven approach that will guide future updates and shape the wider rollout.
The company says the long-term goal is to help more listeners finish the books they start, turning occasional audiobook users into consistent fans while also creating new opportunities for authors to connect with audiences.
Spotify believes Recaps could open the door to a richer and more dynamic listening experience, reducing the gap between traditional reading habits and the practical needs of digital listeners.
With plans to expand the feature over time, the platform says it is committed to investing in technology that supports publishers, elevates authors’ work, and helps listeners stay engaged with great stories from start to finish.
