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Audiobooks Are Booming - Here's Why That Matters for Authors

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Big news: the audiobook market in the U.S. hit a record $2.22 billion in 2024, up 13% from the year before. Nearly all of that came from digital sales, which grew 14% and now account for 99% of the market.


If you're an author thinking about turning your book into an audiobook (or wondering whether your current one is doing enough), this surge in popularity is your sign to act.



Listeners Are Hungry for More


  • 134 million Americans have now listened to an audiobook - that's 51% of the population.

  • 38% of those who haven’t yet are now curious - up from 32%.

  • The number of people who are "very interested" in trying audiobooks has nearly doubled to 18%.


In other words: interest is growing fast. There’s a bigger audience now than ever before.



Genre Spotlight: The Big Winners


Fiction still leads the pack, but some genres have seen massive growth:


  • Romance is up by a massive 30%

  • Children’s and YA titles grew by 26%

  • Sci-Fi/Fantasy gained 21%


If you're writing in these categories, this is great news - but it's also a reminder that listeners are branching out and exploring new genres.



Why Is This Happening?


A few reasons:


  • Access is easier: 72% of listeners value platform availability, and 63% say access via library apps makes a big difference.

  • New listeners are joining: This isn't just the same crowd listening to more. There's a growing pool of first-timers discovering audiobooks.



A Note on AI Narration


Not everyone is on board with AI narration. While 70% of listeners say they’re open to it, that number is down from 77% last year. The trend is clear: transparency is key.


At IAP, we think listeners should always know if a book was narrated by AI or a human. It's not about gatekeeping - it's about giving people the choice and preserving trust.



What this audiobook market growth means for indie authors


If you've been on the fence, this is your moment. The audiobook market is thriving, the audience is growing, and your book could be next in someone’s headphones.


Already have an audiobook? Great - make sure you’re promoting it. Thinking about one? Don’t wait. This is a powerful way to reach new readers.


And if you need help navigating the world of audiobook production - from budgeting to narrator selection to AI vs human - we’ve got your back.


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