Mobile Phone eBook ReadingResults of the 2014 survey | #mobilereading

Background

The subject of mobile phone book reading is one of growing importance to trade publishers. Yet, despite the common availability of research into general e-reading, there was, up to this point, a severe lack of data providing insights into consumers’ attitudes towards reading on their handsets in the US and UK.

Mobile phones offer publishers a unique opportunity; the chance to reach millions of consumers via devices that are used ever more frequently. There is arguably no better way of getting books into consumers’ hands. However, most publishers focus their efforts and investment on print, tablets and dedicated e-readers as the main reading channels and are either unaware or unconvinced by the possibilities.

Publishing Technology partnered with OnePoll to reveal the current consumer trends in mobile phone book reading across the US and UK.

The aim of the research was to highlight:

How much consumers are reading on their mobile devices and whether they are reading more now than beforeHow often they read and how long are their reading sessionsWhat handsets and platforms are the most popular among readersThe most popular mobile reading genres and most common places to readWhether books are finished or whether consumers switch their reading between other devices and printWhat are the main barriers preventing consumers to read more on their mobile phones

This report provides the key data from this study.

Methodology

Publishing Technology partnered with OnePoll who interviewed a total of 3,000 consumers as part of the online survey

The survey was comprised of two parts: It polled 1,000 adult consumers (500 US/500 UK) who have/do read books on their

mobile phones It polled 2,000 adult consumers (1,000 US/1,000 UK) who have not/do not read

books on their mobile phones

The research was conducted in August 2014 and the findings presented at CONTEC Frankfurt, 7th October 2014.

Findings from Mobile Book Readers

Which of the following have you ever done on your mobile phone?

What brand is your phone?

How often do you/did you used to read books on your mobile phone?

How do your habits now compare to how often you read books on your phone a year ago?

What books do you/did you used to generally read on your mobile?

What platforms or app do you/did you used to use for reading books on your mobile?

Do/did the books you read on your mobile phone differ from what you read on other devices?

Where do/did you read on your mobile?

How long do/did you spend reading a book on your phone in one sitting?

Select the statement that best describes your reading behaviour on your mobile

Would any of the following encourage you to read more on your mobile phone?

Findings from Non-mobile Book Readers

Why don't you read ebooks on your mobile phone out of the following?

Which of the following would encourage you to read more books on your mobile phone?

Survey demographics

Gender

Age