Over 11 million Italians listen to audiobooks

The profile of the typical listener is markedly young and female, with women of the GenZ and Millennial generations, particularly in the 25-34 age group, driving consumption. This target, mainly concentrated in the Southern regions, does not see the audiobook as a substitute for the paper volume, but rather as a necessary complement. In fact, the statistics highlight a strong complementarity between the formats: 56% of those interviewed listened to a work they had already read previously, while 50% did the opposite. The impact on the traditional publishing market is notable, given that 52% of the sample purchased at least one book after having enjoyed it in the audio version, and 39% use the platform to monitor the latest releases and discover new authors.

The orientation of narrative tastes in 2026 rewards science fiction and fantasy, chosen by 28% of the public, followed closely by thrillers at 26% and literary fiction at 25%. The choice of title is mainly guided by the theme (61%) and the genre to which it belongs (60%). A specific interest also emerges in the expansions of narrative universes: around a quarter of users are attracted by spin-offs, prequels and sequels linked to films or TV series. In this area, 61% look for new plots with their favorite characters, while 39% prefer to delve deeper into secondary figures, confirming how the audiobook has become an essential tool for expanding the horizons of the most loved stories.