Audible, the popular audiobook service under Amazon’s umbrella, is making strides in enhancing how users discover new audiobooks with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The company’s recent experiments focus on AI-powered tags that delve into customer feedback to offer personalized recommendations based on individual tastes. Additionally, they are testing new topic pages that suggest related subjects, making it easier for users to find books that pique their interest.
These innovative features are currently available to just half of U.S. users on iOS and Android devices, providing a unique experience for a select group.
Audible has introduced a “Tags” carousel within its app, where AI analyzes customer reviews and provides concise explanations about why other listeners might have enjoyed a certain audiobook. Imagine coming across tags like “heartwarming romance” or “relatable storyline” right at the top of a title; these AI-generated tags make it easier to decide whether a book suits your taste without wading through extensive reviews. This is similar to how Amazon utilizes generative AI on its e-commerce platform to summarize product reviews.
Beyond tags, Audible is also experimenting with AI-driven topic pages designed to help users discover audiobook gems they might not have encountered otherwise.
The integration of AI at Audible isn’t limited to tags and topic pages. The platform features several AI-powered functionalities, including “Maven”—an advanced search tool, AI-curated audiobook collections, and AI-generated summaries of reviews.
In a move following its competitors, Audible has also started enlisting selected narrators to train AI on their voices for audiobook recordings. This initiative aims to diversify and enrich the listening experience, similar to how Apple rolled out AI-powered audio narration for select Apple Books titles last year.
With these ongoing AI experiments and innovations, Audible is setting the stage for a more intuitive and engaging audiobook discovery experience, aiming to cater to the unique preferences of its vast user base.
