topic Re: Transcripts for audiobooks in Other (Podcasts, Partners, etc.)

Transcripts for audiobooks

elcalebo — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 08:00:05 GMT

I have noticed that transcripts are common in podcasts. But I haven’t seen them on audiobooks. This means I have to keep rewinding to catch things that I missed, due to how my mind works. (When there is a transcript I just pause and read what i just heard.) This is glaring as many of the audiobooks I listen to are precisely about disability and neurodivergence.

What’s more, this issue doesn’t seem to be mentioned on any of the many help or FAQ pages that I keep being redirected to before eventually landing here in “community” (where they expect users to help me instead of doing the work themselves). If there is no plan to introduce transcripts I will probably cancel premium because it’s an unpleasant experience to listen without a transcript and I’m wasting half of my 15 hours on rewinding.

Plan

Premium

Device

iPhone

Operating System

iOS 10

Re: Transcripts for audiobooks

Eni — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 20:53:15 GMT

Hey there @elcalebo,

Thanks for getting in touch about this.

We understand where you're coming from and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us. We'll make sure to pass it onto the right team, as we always strive to improve your experience.

Also, you can have a look in our Idea Exchange to see if someone else has already made a similar suggestion. If there isn't one, you can give these steps a go and submit your idea so that other users can also support it. The higher the number of votes an idea gets, the more likely it is for it to be implemented. You can read more about how your feedback reaches Spotify here.

Hope this helps. If you need a hand with anything else, the Community is here for you.

Re: Transcripts for audiobooks

AAO1 — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:02:00 GMT

I have the same problem. How can I support this idea?

Re: Transcripts for audiobooks

elcalebo — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:40:44 GMT

Thanks, Eni. Is there any remuneration (e.g. in the form of discounts on subscription fees) given to people who submit and sift through ideas about how to make Spotify accessible, effectively doing the work that one would ordinarily expect Spotify's staff to do? Notwithstanding these concerns, I will have a look and may submit something.

Re: Transcripts for audiobooks

elcalebo — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:01:38 GMT

I submitted the idea here and appreciate your support! https://community.spotify.com/t5/Live-Ideas/Transcripts-for-audiobooks/idi-p/6596498#M307768

Re: Transcripts for audiobooks

KBrackin90 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:45:11 GMT

Came here looking for the answer to the exact same issue. I clicked on your link above, and unfortunately, it says access denied. Wish I could upvote your topic!

Re: Transcripts for audiobooks

w00lp — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:16:50 GMT

it is absolutely unacceptable to be honest. stop forcing useless ai transcripts on everyone. not being able to disable these subtitles from **bleep** is a design flaw. no "we'll pass it onto the right team and talk about it for ages like the european union before we fix anything" please. just find someone in your multimillion to billion dollar company capable of adding 1 button to the playback ui and a related setting to adjust within the settings. its no magic...

thank you!