Online Book Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Trade, Education, STM), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa), And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Online Book Services Market Size & Trends

The global online book services market size was valued at USD 23.38 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2030. A primary factor driving market demand is the convenience offered by these services. Readers can access books on demand from their computers, smartphones, tablets, or e-readers without visiting physical stores or libraries. E-books and audiobooks are also generally cheaper than physical books, and online services offer various discounts, promotions, or subscription models to appeal to consumers. For instance, in December 2024, Smashwords announced the start of the ‘Smashwords End of Year Sale’ that ended on the 1st of January 2025. The event included reduced prices and free offers for more than 200,000 books spanning different genres. Such initiatives help boost the growth of the online book services industry.

The rapidly improving internet infrastructure globally and the growing adoption of devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets have been other major market growth drivers. The availability of specialized reading apps such as Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play Books allows users to easily read or listen to books on their mobile devices, providing a portable and flexible reading experience. Modern e-readers offer features including adjustable fonts, backlighting, and long battery life, which optimizes the reading experience. Audiobook services such as Audible have designed their apps to ensure easy navigation and syncing, allowing users to pick up reading from where they left off across multiple devices. In April 2024, Rakuten Kobo announced the launch of the ‘Kobo Libra Colour’ and ‘Kobo Clara Colour’ e-readers, the company’s first-ever color E Ink devices. These devices leverage the color E Ink Kaleido 3 display optimized for Kobo, allowing users to move away from a black-and-white reading experience. The devices offer additional features such as color handwriting and highlighting capabilities.

E-books have become a highly convenient option for reading enthusiasts or students who do not want to spend excessive amounts on physical copies. Subscription services such as Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and Scribd allow consumers to access a vast library of books for a flat monthly fee, which can be more cost-effective for avid readers. For instance, during the Amazon Prime Day event held in October 2024 in the UK, the company provided a 3-month free trial offer for its Kindle Unlimited subscription service to Prime members. Users subscribing to this service before the end of Amazon Prime Day were eligible for this offer, with the added convenience of canceling the subscription at any point without incurring any additional charges. Such initiatives compel consumers to experience online book platforms, aiding market growth.

Online book services provide access to an expansive range of books from authors worldwide, making books in various languages and genres available to readers regardless of location. Digital formats make it easier to access hard-to-find titles or self-published works that may not be available in physical bookstores. Furthermore, many online platforms offer content tailored to specific regions or languages, addressing the demand for local authors and literature. In markets such as India, China, and Latin American economies, localized content in native languages has become a key demand driver for this service. Meanwhile, English-language books are also witnessing a steadily rising demand in promising markets such as Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, as they allow readers in these regions to improve their comprehension and reading skills. AI and complex algorithms to ease user searches for books and audiobooks have led to positive market developments. These services use personalized recommendation algorithms to suggest titles based on user behavior, preferences, and reading history. Features such as reviews, ratings, and curated lists help users discover books that match their tastes. These factors further aid the expansion of the online book services industry.

Product Insights

The trade segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 69.3% in 2024 in the online book services industry. Trade books are designed to appeal to a broad audience, with no specific educational or professional requirement needed to read them, making them a dominant category in the digital format. They can be fiction or non-fiction and encompass a variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, horror, and historical fiction. Readers, especially younger audiences, prefer these books as they offer them a chance to immerse in the lives, thoughts, and emotions of characters from different walks of life, cultures, and experiences. Many works of fiction address important social, political, and cultural issues, providing readers with a broader understanding of the world. Various online forums and communities that allow readers to discuss book summaries, plot points, and related books by other writers further encourage the use of online book services in this category.

Meanwhile, the education segment is anticipated to advance at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period in the online book services industry. Educational books are in significant demand globally, particularly among students and working professionals looking to upskill themselves. The proliferation of online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, and LinkedIn Learning has created a substantial demand for digital textbooks and educational resources. As education shifts to a more digital-first approach, students and professionals increasingly seek e-books to support their learning, whether for formal courses or personal development. Educational e-books are often priced lower than their print editions due to the absence of printing, storage, and shipping costs. This makes such books more affordable, especially for students and educational institutions with limited budgets.

Regional Insights

The North America online book services market accounted for the largest revenue share of 35.9% globally in 2024. The extensive popularity of e-books in regional economies and the well-established smartphone user base have created a strong demand for online books. Readers in the U.S. and Canada are increasingly shifting from physical books to digital formats due to convenience and portability. For instance, as per the Canadian Book Consumer Study 2022 report, around 20% of all books bought by people in the country in 2022 were eBooks. Furthermore, the Canadian Leisure & Reading Study 2022 report stated that in the same year, around 70% of citizens reported reading an eBook. This highlights the growing preference for digital books among consumers, which provides growth opportunities to market players in the region.

U.S. Online Book Services Market Trends

The U.S. online book services market accounted for a dominant revenue share in the regional market in 2024 due to the growing popularity of audiobooks and the extensive adoption of subscription services among readers. According to a report by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) regarding annual figures for 2023 for the U.S. publishing industry, digital formats such as audiobooks and e-books witnessed a steady revenue growth of 6.3% over the previous year. The report further stated a decrease in sales of print formats during 2023, highlighting consumer preference for digital versions of books. Moreover, the emergence of self-publishing platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has given independent authors an easier and more cost-effective means to publish their books digitally. As a result, a significant portion of the online book market in the country is now occupied by these authors, especially in genres such as romance, fantasy, and young adult fiction.

Europe Online Book Services Market Trends

Europe online book services market accounted for a substantial revenue share in the global market in 2024, aided by the high adoption rate of smartphones and tablets, changing consumer preferences, and the availability of several notable platforms for purchasing and reading books in digital format. As per a report by Eurostat published in April 2024, e-books were purchased by 7.2% of the residents in the European Union in 2023, which was an increase from the 2022 share of 6.6%. Moreover, sales of printed books through online platforms increased slightly during 2023, showcasing the steadily growing popularity of online book services in the region. Audiobooks have become an essential part of the online book market in Europe, with platforms such as Audible, Google Play Books, and Storytel driving this trend. As a result, this format has gained a strong following among consumers in countries such as the UK, Sweden, and Germany.

Asia Pacific Online Book Services Market Trends

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the online book services market forecast period. The increasing pace of urbanization, a steadily growing user base of smartphones and tablets, and improving Internet penetration in regional economies have created positive developments in this industry. Furthermore, the rise in disposable income levels among consumers has further enabled the reading demographic to avail of subscription services of online e-book platforms, which generates growth opportunities for service providers. In India, the e-book market has experienced significant growth due to the high adoption rate of smartphones and the availability of affordable data plans. Platforms such as Amazon Kindle, Flipkart, and Google Play Books are widely popular, with genres such as educational books, self-help, and regional literature gaining substantial traction.

China online book services market is expected to witness the fastest CAGR in the Asia Pacific market for online book services in 2024. The country has emerged as one of the largest global markets for e-books, with the industry being supported by platforms such as JD.com and Alibaba’s Tmall. Moreover, publishers have been extensively using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in areas including topic evaluation, content generation, and translation, which can potentially encourage more prospective writers to ideate and publish books across different domains. This is expected to result in a higher volume of e-book launches that would support market growth. Online platforms are introducing various value-added offerings to appeal to consumers. For instance, in January 2025, JD.com added the ‘Lifestyle Service Package’ and ‘Unlimited Free Shipping’ features to its JD PLUS service. The Lifestyle Service Package enables members to redeem PLUS credits for monthly e-book subscriptions and other services such as free shipping, laundry, and car washes.

Key Online Book Services Company Insights

Some major companies involved in the global online book services industry include Amazon.com, Rakuten Kobo, and HarperCollins, among others.

• Amazon.com is an American multinational technology solutions provider primarily known for its e-commerce platform, cloud computing services, and digital streaming capabilities. Its online bookstore offers a vast array of books, including bestsellers, niche categories, eBooks, and physical copies. The platform seamlessly integrates with Amazon’s proprietary Kindle devices, allowing users to read eBooks across multiple devices. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) service enables independent authors to self-publish their work in various formats, including eBooks and print books.

• Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an e-book and e-reader company based in Toronto, Canada, and a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Rakuten Group. Kobo focuses on providing digital reading solutions through its e-readers, e-books, and audiobooks. The Kobo store offers access to millions of e-books across various genres, allowing users to purchase and download titles directly to their devices. The company further provides a range of devices and applications for Windows, Android, and Apple operating systems. Through the Kobo Plus service, the company provides e-book and audiobook subscriptions to readers, starting at USD 7.99 per month.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, HarperCollins Germany announced the acquisition of GRÄFE UND UNZER, a German-based guidebook publisher. The addition of this publishing brand enables HarperCollins Germany to expand its portfolio to offer books on topics such as healthy eating, cooking and enjoyment, partnership and family, life advice, gardening, nature, health, pets, and travel. The development is expected to strengthen HarperCollins’ operations significantly in the country.

• In August 2024, Scribd, Inc. introduced a beta version of its AI-powered tool, ‘Ask AI,’ which has been developed to elevate customer experience for its Scribd and Everand brands. This feature enables users to rapidly gather vital information from documents on Scribd, avoiding spending excessive time on research. Meanwhile, on Everand, Ask AI recommends audiobook and e-book titles based on user preferences, creating a highly personalized reading experience.

Online Book Services Market Report Scope

Global Online Book Services Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global online book services market report based on product and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Trade

  • STM

  • Education

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Spain

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia & New Zealand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • MEA

    • South Africa