Audible: Difference between revisions
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{{CompanyCargo | |||
|Founded=1995 | |Founded=1995 | ||
|Industry=Entertainment | |Industry=Entertainment | ||
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|Type=Subsidiary | |Type=Subsidiary | ||
|Website=https://www.audible.com/ | |Website=https://www.audible.com/ | ||
|Description=An audiobook and podcast service | |Description=An audiobook and podcast service owned by Amazon | ||
}}'''Audible''' is an audiobook and podcast service company owned by [[Amazon]]. The service platform has a dual content model that allows for individual purchases and downloads as well as streaming content available through a monthly subscription. | }} | ||
'''Audible''' is an audiobook and podcast service company owned by [[Amazon]]. The service platform has a dual content model that allows for individual purchases and downloads as well as streaming content available through a monthly subscription. | |||
==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
===Audiobook monopoly=== | ===Audiobook monopoly=== | ||
Amazon, the parent company of Audible, in collaboration with Apple Books (which would otherwise be its biggest competitor), controls approximately 80% of the audiobook market.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Vaidehi |date=24 Sep 2024 |title=Authors Battle Amazon Over Audiobook Monopoly |url=https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/courtside/authors-battle-amazon-over-audiobook-monopoly/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=FindLaw |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906043335/https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/courtside/authors-battle-amazon-over-audiobook-monopoly/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Martin A. |date=25 Jun 2025 |title=ANTITRUST—S.D.N.Y.: Romance author’s claims of monopolization against Amazon Audible proceed |url=https://www.vitallaw.com/news/antitrust-s-d-n-y-romance-author-s-claims-of-monopolization-against-amazon-audible-proceed/ald01b74df89519124657a56b4e6c1589c2c8 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=VitalLaw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215234933/https://www.vitallaw.com/.sso/code/oneid#. |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> Audible itself is the world's leading retailer of audiobook purchases, with over 60% of domestic and global sales.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Amazon Audible Audiobook Antitrust |url=https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/amazon-audible-audiobook-antitrust |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=Hagens Berman |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251210152205/https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/amazon-audible-audiobook-antitrust |archive-date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref> | |||
=== | ===Exclusive file format=== | ||
Audible | Audible uses the AAX file format, which was developed by Audible and is [[DRM]]-encrypted,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=All about AAX Files |url=https://filext.com/file-extension/AAX |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=FILExt |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180916153427/http://filext.com:80/file-extension/AAX |archive-date=16 Sep 2018}}</ref> making it so that only Audible-authorized players can play it.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |first= |date=10 Jan 2024 |title=Recommended AAX Player for Windows/Mac/Android/iOS |url=https://www.dumpmedia.com/audible-converter/aax-player.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=DumpMedia |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251111015618/https://www.dumpmedia.com/audible-converter/aax-player.html |archive-date=11 Nov 2025}}</ref> This creates an ecosystem lock-in<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />, forcing users to rely on third-party software to break the DRM to listen to the audiobooks they have purchased outside of the Audible platform <ref name=":4" />, as evidenced by the multitude of converters that show up with a cursory "Audible AAX" search on any web browser. | ||
===Geo-blocking=== | ===Geo-blocking=== | ||
Audible | Audible admits to restricting certain content based upon the geographic location of the user,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update your country/marketplace |url=https://help.audible.com/s/article/update-your-country-marketplace?language=en_US |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=audible |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250827043356/https://help.audible.com/s/article/update-your-country-marketplace?language=en_US |archive-date=27 Aug 2025}}</ref> a practice known as {{Wplink|geo-blocking}}. | ||
=== | ===Treatment of non-exclusives=== | ||
Audible has been accused of strong-arming authors into exclusivity deals<ref name=":0" /> by not only imposing higher distribution fees on non-exclusive distribution (75% in comparison to the 60% for exclusive distribution)<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> but also penalizing those who opt for non-exclusivity with practices such as reduced visibility of their titles, lower search rankings, diminished promotional opportunities,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> and lower royalties (40% for exclusive deals, 25% for non-exclusive ones).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=21 Jun 2025 |title=Amazon must face authors' lawsuit over audiobook distribution, US judge rules |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/amazon-must-face-authors-lawsuit-over-audiobook-distribution-us-judge-rules-2025-06-11/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/IHC4I |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> For comparison, the actual cost of distributing the audiobooks is estimated to be around 5% to 10% of the sales price.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
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{{Main|Audible subsidizes its streaming plan via premium credits}} | {{Main|Audible subsidizes its streaming plan via premium credits}} | ||
In August 2025, Audible's new royalty structure took effect. It works by spreading the reader's plan value and premium credits across all books the reader listened to during the month, regardless of whether or not the audiobook was purchased or streamed using Audible's streaming service. | |||
===Alleged non-consensual enrollment=== | ===Alleged non-consensual enrollment=== | ||
{{Main|Amazon sued for enrolling and charging customers into Audible without consent}} | {{Main|Amazon sued for enrolling and charging customers into Audible without consent}} | ||
Amazon, and Audible by extension, is currently | Amazon, and Audible by extension, is currently facing a pending class-action lawsuit due to allegedly enrolling Amazon customers into Audible subscriptions without their permission. This is possible due to Amazon's [[forced retention of payment methods]] in which the company holds customers' card information for "faster checkout." | ||
== | ===Controversial encouragement of AI use=== | ||
As of 2025, Audible is planning to integrate AI Narration and Translation solutions later in the year, starting with a roll-out of select publishers,<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2025 |title=Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation for Publishers |url=https://www.audible.com/about/newsroom/audible-expands-catalog-with-ai-narration-and-translation-for-publishers |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=Audible |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130185959/https://www.audible.com/about/newsroom/audible-expands-catalog-with-ai-narration-and-translation-for-publishers |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref> which has been met with criticism by numerous writers, translators, and voice actors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Lucy |date=13 May 2025 |title=Audible unveils plans to use AI voices to narrate audiobooks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/13/audible-unveils-plans-to-use-ai-voices-to-narrate-audiobooks |url-status=live |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215234557/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/13/audible-unveils-plans-to-use-ai-voices-to-narrate-audiobooks |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
<!--==Products==--> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
[[Category:Amazon]] | |||
Latest revision as of 02:29, 5 March 2026
Audible
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.audible.com/ |
Audible is an audiobook and podcast service company owned by Amazon. The service platform has a dual content model that allows for individual purchases and downloads as well as streaming content available through a monthly subscription.
Consumer-impact summary
[edit | edit source]Audiobook monopoly
[edit | edit source]Amazon, the parent company of Audible, in collaboration with Apple Books (which would otherwise be its biggest competitor), controls approximately 80% of the audiobook market.[1][2] Audible itself is the world's leading retailer of audiobook purchases, with over 60% of domestic and global sales.[1][3]
Exclusive file format
[edit | edit source]Audible uses the AAX file format, which was developed by Audible and is DRM-encrypted,[4] making it so that only Audible-authorized players can play it.[4][5] This creates an ecosystem lock-in[1][2], forcing users to rely on third-party software to break the DRM to listen to the audiobooks they have purchased outside of the Audible platform [5], as evidenced by the multitude of converters that show up with a cursory "Audible AAX" search on any web browser.
Geo-blocking
[edit | edit source]Audible admits to restricting certain content based upon the geographic location of the user,[6] a practice known as geo-blocking.
Treatment of non-exclusives
[edit | edit source]Audible has been accused of strong-arming authors into exclusivity deals[1] by not only imposing higher distribution fees on non-exclusive distribution (75% in comparison to the 60% for exclusive distribution)[1][2] but also penalizing those who opt for non-exclusivity with practices such as reduced visibility of their titles, lower search rankings, diminished promotional opportunities,[1][2] and lower royalties (40% for exclusive deals, 25% for non-exclusive ones).[2][7] For comparison, the actual cost of distributing the audiobooks is estimated to be around 5% to 10% of the sales price.[1]
Incidents
[edit | edit source]Using credits to subsidize streaming service
[edit | edit source]In August 2025, Audible's new royalty structure took effect. It works by spreading the reader's plan value and premium credits across all books the reader listened to during the month, regardless of whether or not the audiobook was purchased or streamed using Audible's streaming service.
Alleged non-consensual enrollment
[edit | edit source]Amazon, and Audible by extension, is currently facing a pending class-action lawsuit due to allegedly enrolling Amazon customers into Audible subscriptions without their permission. This is possible due to Amazon's forced retention of payment methods in which the company holds customers' card information for "faster checkout."
Controversial encouragement of AI use
[edit | edit source]As of 2025, Audible is planning to integrate AI Narration and Translation solutions later in the year, starting with a roll-out of select publishers,[8] which has been met with criticism by numerous writers, translators, and voice actors.[9]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Mehta, Vaidehi (24 Sep 2024). "Authors Battle Amazon Over Audiobook Monopoly". FindLaw. Archived from the original on 6 Sep 2025. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Steinberg, Martin A. (25 Jun 2025). "ANTITRUST—S.D.N.Y.: Romance author's claims of monopolization against Amazon Audible proceed". VitalLaw. Archived from the original on 15 Feb 2026. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ "Amazon Audible Audiobook Antitrust". Hagens Berman. 13 Jun 2024. Archived from the original on 10 Dec 2025. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "All about AAX Files". FILExt. Archived from the original on 16 Sep 2018. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Recommended AAX Player for Windows/Mac/Android/iOS". DumpMedia. 10 Jan 2024. Archived from the original on 11 Nov 2025. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ "Update your country/marketplace". audible. Archived from the original on 27 Aug 2025. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ Scarcella, Mike (21 Jun 2025). "Amazon must face authors' lawsuit over audiobook distribution, US judge rules". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2026-02-27. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ "Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation for Publishers". Audible. 13 May 2025. Archived from the original on 30 Jan 2026. Retrieved 16 Sep 2025.
- ↑ Knight, Lucy (13 May 2025). "Audible unveils plans to use AI voices to narrate audiobooks". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 Feb 2026. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.