Technology AI, Science and New Things
Book apps are experiencing a similar turmoil post-US election to social media companies, as users try to find communities on platforms that align with their values.
Many disappointed with Jeff Bezos’ political choices are abandoning the Amazon-owned Goodreads for alternatives including TheStoryGraph and Fable.
But there’s been some trouble: Fable, currently the 8th most popular app in the book section of the iOS App Store, had to apologise last week after its AI-generated summary feature said to one user who reads Black narratives: “Don’t forget to surface for the occasional white author, okay?”
Fable has since removed all of its AI integrations, which was once its biggest marketing feature.
Bezos is unlikely to feel the effects of the drama – Goodreads integrates with both Amazon and Kindle products, which make up the bulk of the bookbuying ecosystem.
It simply does not need to compete.
