At a base level, it’s problematic that Amazon protects its audiobook files with DRM - thereby allowing readers only to enjoy their books if they stay locked into Amazon’s platform.Īmazon’s general monopolization of the internet makes it even more difficult to break out of Audible’s vicious cycle - most internet roads lead back to Audible. And as Audible has grown, so too has the magnitude of its issues for both consumers and authors. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.In the decade or so since Amazon acquired Audible for $300 million, the service has grown to include billions in revenue every year, essentially cornering the entire audiobook market. We've personally tested 100% of these recommendations, and are sharing our authentic reviews. This harms accessibility.Īnd of course, any choice to purchase audiobooks from Amazon is a choice to give more money to a megacorporation and a missed opportunity to give that money to a company better aligned with your values.įortunately, there are easy-to-use Audible alternatives. Most notably, when Amazon creates Audible Exclusive audiobooks - like Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” or Andy Weir’s “The Martian” - those audiobooks are not made available to libraries or bookstores to lend and sell.
While it’s convenient to be able to access spoken word entertainment like audiobooks and podcasts through a monthly subscription, Audible is actually harmful to the industry at large.
Not everybody realizes this, but Audible is an Amazon product. We’re highlighting the best Amazon alternatives for those who have ethical, moral, or environmental qualms with the trillion-dollar company.
This article is a part of an ongoing series on how to minimize or eliminate Amazon use from our lives.
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