Audiobook Industry Surges as Sales Hit $2.22 Billion

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 1:47pm CT

Edison Research

Audiobook sales in the U.S. soared to $2.22 billion in 2024, marking a 13% year-over-year increase and signaling a strong return to double-digit growth for the industry, according to the Audio Publishers Association (APA). The gains are largely fueled by digital audiobooks, which now account for 99% of total revenue and posted a 14% annual increase. The findings are part of the APA's annual Sales Survey conducted by Toluna, alongside a Consumer Survey conducted by Edison Research.

More than half of American adults (51%) -- approximately 134 million people -- have listened to an audiobook, the highest figure ever recorded by the APA. Notably, interest among those who haven't yet listened is climbing. In 2025, 38% of spoken word audio listeners who have not tried audiobooks expressed interest in doing so, up from 32% in 2024. The percentage of those "very interested" nearly doubled to 18%.

"This year's data not only reflects continued sales momentum but shows widening awareness and curiosity about audiobooks among new audiences," said Michele Cobb, Executive Director of the APA.

Piracy on the Rise, Especially via YouTube

However, the growth is tempered by growing concerns over piracy. The APA notes that 35% of audiobook listeners have consumed titles via YouTube -- a significant jump from 27% in 2023. Among those, 76% cited cost-free access as their reason, despite the fact that much of the content is pirated.

Access and Content Trends

Accessibility remains a major driver for consumption. Seventy-two percent of listeners said availability on their preferred platform is important, and 63% value access through library apps. Fiction continues to dominate genre sales, with General Fiction leading the way and increasing by 16% over 2023. Romance, Children's & YA, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy recorded the strongest year-over-year growth at 30%, 26%, and 21%, respectively.

AI Narration Sees Mixed Results

While more audiobooks are now being created with AI narration, consumer interest in AI-voiced content is waning. Willingness to try AI-narrated audiobooks dropped from 77% in 2023 to 70% in 2025.

The consumer data comes from an online survey of 1,700 U.S. adults conducted by Edison Research in February 2025.