- Spotify is rolling out its new AI audiobook recaps feature that gives listeners a quick summary of the parts they've already completed.
- The recap button shows up after at least 15 minutes of listening and currently works only with selected English audiobook titles.
- Premium users also get an update with a new Fewer Repeats shuffle option that cuts down on hearing the same songs again.
Spotify is introducing a new tool designed to help audiobook listeners quickly get back on track after taking a break, AI-powered recaps. The feature, currently in testing, summarizes previously played sections of an audiobook, offering a brief, TV-style “previously on” refresher before users continue listening.
How Spotify’s AI audiobook recaps work
According to Spotify, the recap feature automatically generates a summary of the content a listener has already completed. Users will see a Recap button placed above the audiobook’s chapter list, but only after they have listened for at least 15 minutes. Once enabled, the tool provides a short, AI-generated overview without revealing any future plot points.
Spotify says the summaries cover only previously played portions to avoid spoilers and help listeners return to complex narratives without scrubbing through chapters or replaying sections manually.
At launch, the feature supports only a small number of English-language audiobooks, and access is limited to a test group. The company told reporters it plans to expand support based on user feedback and performance, though no timeline has been announced.
New “Fewer Repeats” setting for music playback
Alongside the audiobook experiment, Spotify has quietly added a new music playback option for Premium subscribers. The setting, called Fewer Repeats, is available under the Playback section in the app’s Settings menu.
When enabled, the feature reduces repeated tracks during playlist shuffling. It addresses a frequent complaint from long-time users who feel the shuffle algorithm often plays the same songs multiple times. While Spotify describes the update as a quality-of-life improvement rather than a major algorithm overhaul, it may help playlists feel fresher during extended listening sessions.
Honestly, these updates tackle problems we all run into, forgetting audiobook plots or getting stuck in a loop of the same songs. The AI recaps make it easier to jump back into a story, especially if you’re listening to something long. So yeah, Spotify’s slowly making audiobooks and music a bit friendlier.
