Audiobooks in Focus: 2026 Market Trends and Emerging Best Practices

The audiobook market continues to be one of the most dynamic segments of U.S. publishing. As production quality improves, distribution channels diversify, and listener behavior evolves, publishers and retailers are adapting their strategies to meet growing demand and deliver better discovery, data, and user experiences.

This BISG webinar, Audiobooks in Focus: Market Trends and Best Practices in 2026, will explore the current state of the audiobook industry and highlight new standards and practices emerging across the supply chain.

The session will feature an overview of key market trends—covering growth, consumer insights, and evolving distribution models—alongside a look at the Audiobook Working Group’s latest efforts to establish and promote best practices for audiobook production, metadata, and delivery.

Speakers will include a representative from the Audiobook Working Group and an industry expert(s) offering a market overview. Brief presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A.

Takeaways:

• A concise snapshot of the U.S. audiobook market in early 2026

• An understanding of new and emerging best practices in audiobook production and data sharing

• Insight into how publishers and retailers can collaborate to improve discoverability, efficiency, and listener engagement