Understanding Whispersync for Voice (WS4V) is essential for your audiobook strategy as a rights holder. WS4V is a feature that allows listeners to switch seamlessly between reading a Kindle ebook and listening to its corresponding audiobook across devices without losing their place. It works in conjunction with Immersion Reading, which enables users to simultaneously listen to the audiobook while the text is highlighted on Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD devices.

In this article:

• What are the WS4V eligibility requirements?
• How long does WS4V takes to be processed and implemented?
• What content updates impact synchronization on your ACX project?
• How does the pricing work for WS4V synced titles?
• What are the benefits of having WS4V on your ACX publications?
• What is immersion reading on Audible?

What are the WS4V eligibility requirements?

To enable the Whispersync for Voice (WS4V) feature to your ACX project:

• The audiobooks must be unabridged
• The content must be in English or German
• Only Latin characters are supported and special characters in foreign languages make titles ineligible

Notes:

• Content synchronization starts after front matter and ends with the last chapter
• Minor alterations should not affect the title’s ability to pass quality control, but significant changes can increase the odds of the title failing to be approved for WS4V.
• WS4V will not be removed for minor changes to the titles.

How long does WS4V take to be processed and implemented?

Once your eligible title goes live, it will be added to the queue for processing, where the title will be synced with the matching Kindle ebook to your audiobook. Audible typically processes eligible titles within 30 business days from the release date.

However, titles that fail to meet sync quality standards may experience longer processing times as the issue is investigated. If your title is not enabled for WS4V within 30 business days, you can contact us to inquire about the status. Keep in mind that once WS4V is enabled, it cannot be disabled.

Note: Audiobooks published on Amazon.ca are not eligible for the Whispersync for Voice program.

What content updates impact synchronization on your ACX project?

The following changes will not affect the synchronization:

• Metadata changes like price, title, author, and description.
• Minor formatting changes like margin size, font color, punctuation.

However, major content changes can disable the feature.

How does the pricing work for WS4V synced titles?

Amazon and Audible determine the pricing for audiobooks released through ACX. The retailers have sole discretion to set the prices, and we do not have insight into their pricing processes.

Customers who purchase the Kindle edition first are offered a reduced price, typically $1.99 to $12.99, for the Whispersync for Voice audio add-on to incentivize listeners to buy both formats. 

What are the benefits of having WS4V on your ACX publications?

As a rights holder, author or publisher, there are several benefits of having this feature available:

• Increases content accessibility across formats
• Provides enhanced reading experiences for readers and listeners by linking Audible titles with Kindle editions
• Raises awareness for authors' titles
• Offers special pricing to encourage multi-format purchases

What is immersion reading on Audible?

Immersion Reading is a new feature that enhances the Read & Listen (Whispersync for Voice) experience. It allows listeners who have access to both the eBook and audiobook versions of a title through membership and a la carte purchasing to simultaneously read and listen with word-by-word text highlighting synchronized to the audiobook narration, directly within the Audible app.

Immersion reading does not change how Whispersync for Voice works nor does it affect your royalties.

Key features of immersion reading:

• Available for titles that are "Read & Listen" (Whispersync for Voice) enabled
• Accessible to listeners who have both the eBook and audiobook versions of a title
• Word-by-word text highlighting synchronized to the audio narration
• Titles are identified by the "Read & Listen" badge in the Audible app, or using the "Read & Listen" filter in the Audible app
• Option for listeners to switch between "Listen" and "Read & Listen" modes

Note: The immersion reading experience on Kindle devices remains the same. This update only adds the functionality to the Audible app.

Is Whispersync for Voice the same as immersion reading?

While related, Whispersync for Voice and immersion reading are separate features:

• The Read & Listen experience allows customers to switch between reading and listening across devices without losing their place
• Immersion reading combines both reading and listening activities simultaneously, with real-time word-by-word text highlighting synced to the audiobook narration

Immersion reading complements existing benefits that leverage Audible and Kindle catalogs, including discounted audiobooks for listeners who own the matching eBook, and page syncing between formats and devices.

For more detailed information about immersion reading on ACX, please refer to our dedicated immersion reading Help Center article.