Good e-Reader Intelligence recently conducted extensive research on what type of digital content readers prefer. The vast majority of users continue to be enamoured with ebooks, while audiobooks have made solid gains.
Over a one month period 799 people casted their vote and proclaimed what type of content they use on a daily basis. 491 proclaimed their love of ebooks and they tend to read them on their dedicated e-Reader, such as the Kindle, Kobo or Nook or a myriad of apps for their smartphones and tablets.
Audiobooks were in second place with 110 votes, which is surprising that they beat out comics (3.63%), magazines (1.75%), manga (4.51%) and newspapers (3.88%). Audiobooks are much more accessible these days and Apple and Audible are no longer the only game in town. Kobo launched their own audiobook store late last year and Google unveiled their new audiobook solution that is compatible with Android Auto, Google Home and of course the Google Books app.
What was surprising about this poll is that everything aside from audiobooks and ebooks had so little votes. It is quite difficult to buy manga legitimately, VIZ MEDIA and a few other companies sell direct to consumers. Digital magazines and newspapers used to be really easy to find in the top 10 or top 50 list on iTunes and Google Play, but none have been showcased for years. Apple even got rid of their newsstand system, which really shows that everything aside from blog posts and featured articles are no longer relevant. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what digital comics are not more popular. You cannot buy comics directly from Comixology on the Apple ecosystem, which represented the most lucrative base of users. There are few other comic apps available that have mainstream options, most are gimmicky like Madefire.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
