Send your audiobooks to Google Play with automated content fetching

 

Google has an automated content fetching system that enables publishers and service providers to easily provide book metadata, rights, and content to Google Play. We provide separate instructions for sending eBook content files, metadata, and rights. The instructions below provide additional information for sending audiobook content files, metadata information and supplemental material.

Automated Content / Metadata Fetch Setup

There are two ways for Google to receive your audiobook content, covers, metadata and supplemental material files:

  1. Periodic, scheduled fetches off of your (S)FTP or HTTP(S) server
  2. Uploaded to a Google-provided SFTP dropbox
Contact your account manager to get your content and metadata fetches set up.

 

Server Directory Structure

If you are sending eBook files (.pdf, .epub) to Google via scheduled fetches from your own server, you will need to ensure audiobook content (.mp3, .aac, etc) and accompanying supplemental material (.pdf) is in a separate folder on your server. eBook and audiobook content files cannot be in the same folder.

However, metadata files (either ONIX or CSV) can combine both eBook and audiobook records, as the product form is required for each record.

NOTE: Metadata does not need to be sent as both ONIX and CSV. Only one format is necessary.

File type

Top  directory

 Sub-directory Filename examples

Notes

 

Audiobook content

 

  Cover images

 

Supplemental material

 

 

audio/

 

 

<collectioncode>/
eg. AB12345/

 <ISBN>.zip, <ISBN>.mp3, <ISBN>.wav, <ISBN>.m4A, <ISBN>.flac Files can be sent as .mp3, .wav, .m4a, or .flac files.
Files of the same format can be zipped together into a single zip file.
<ISBN>_1of10.mp3 … <ISBN>_10of10.mp3 Audio files can be sent as multipart sets if correctly named.
<ISBN>.jpg, <ISBN>_frontcover.jpg Front covers, back covers, and interiors can be sent separately as JPEG or PNG files. TIF files are not supported.
<ISBN>.pdf Supplemental material (.pdf only) can be provided separately or zipped together with audiobook content. 

 

 

 

ONIX metadata

 

 

 

onix/

<collectioncode>-full/
eg. AB12345-full/

 <filename>.xml (or .zip)
 		 ONIX files can be sent as individual files or in ZIP files.
Full feeds provide metadata-only.

<collectioncode>-rights/
eg. AB12345-rights/

 <filename>.xml (or .zip) Rights feeds provide metadata and prices and will create new book records in Partner Center
validate/ <filename>.xml (or .zip) Sample files only for ONIX validation purposes
CSV metadata

csv/

 <collectioncode>/ <filename>.csv If not sending ONIX files, metadata can be sent as a CSV file; the format is the same as when uploading CSV files via the Partner Center.

Content Files

Audiobook File Formats

Google Play Books can accept audiobook files in any of the following formats:

  • M4A with AAC encoding (CBR preferred), >128Kbps (mono) or >=256Kbps (stereo)
  • MP3 (CBR preferred), >=128Kbps (mono) or >=256Kbps (stereo)
  • FLAC, 16 bits/sample, >=44.1 KHz sampling rate
  • WAV PCM encoded, 16 bits/sample, >=44.1 KHz sampling rate

Filename and packaging guidelines

For each audiobook file you submit, the filename must contain an ID. You have 3 options for the value you use as an ID:

Value When to use What to do
ISBN If you have an ISBN available Use the ISBN as your ID value.
Proprietary ID If you have a non-ISBN proprietary ID Work with your account manager to set up a custom key. Then, submit your proprietary ID as your ID value.
GGKEY If you don't have an ISBN or proprietary ID available

Create a record in your Google Play Books Partner Center account. Then, use the assigned GGKEY as your ID value.

Filename formatting

How you name your files depends on how you submit the audio content.

Submission How to name the files Example
Single audio file for entire audiobook
  • ID_1of1.mp3 (Recommended)
  • ID.mp3 (24-hour processing delay)

9783000422560_1of1.mp3 

9783000422560.mp3 
Multiple audio files for single audiobook
  • ID_XofY.mp3 (Recommended)
  • A single ZIP file containing all audio files. The ZIP is named as ID.zip, and all Audio files in the ZIP are alphabetically ordered.

Using any other format results in a 24-hour processing delay while we wait to collect all your files.

9783000422560_1of2.mp3
9783000422560_2of2.mp3


9783000422560.zip
disk_a.mp3
disk_b.mp3
Preview files are not currently supported. If preview files are included, they'll be delivered to the customer as part of the book content.

Here are some good examples of filename formats:

EXPAND ALL collapse all

Multiple audio files, unzipped

Standard naming for unzipped audio files, using the ​ISBN and XofY.  Leading zeroes aren’t not required.

  • 9780123456789_1of50.mp3
  • 9780123456789_2of50.mp3
  • 9780123456789_3of50.mp3

Other information can be included in the filenames, as long as the ISBN is at the beginning and XofY is at the end. 

  • 9780123456789_intro_1of50.mp3
  • 9780123456789_ch1_2of50.mp3
  • 9780123456789_ch2_3of50.mp3

If you’ve set up a proprietary key pattern with us, you can also use those.

  • ABC1234_001of050.mp3
  • ABC1234_002of050.mp3
  • ABC1234_003of050.mp3
Multiple audio files in a ZIP

Standard naming for zipped files.

  • 9780123456789.zip​ 
    • 9780123456789_01.mp3 
    • 9780123456789_02.mp3
    • 9780123456789_03.mp3

Other characters in filenames are permitted, both in the ZIP filename and the individual filenames, as long as the first part of the ZIP filename is the ISBN.

  • 9780123456789_01_128kbps_mp3.zip​
    • 9780123456789_AB_01_003_r1_128kbps.mp3 
    • 9780123456789_AB_01_002_r1_128kbps.mp3
    • 9780123456789_AB_01_001_r1_128kbps.mp3

When the ZIP is named by ISBN, the individual filenames don't need to contain the ISBN, but they must be named so that the sort order is the order of the files.

  • 9780123456789.zip​
    • Chap01.mp3
    • Chap02.mp3
    • Chap03.mp3
Multiple audio files and an image in a ZIP
In the following example, the ZIP file is named with the ISBN. The .zip contains subfolders "Audio," which contains the audio files, and "Cover," which contains the image (cover photo) for the audiobook. The audio files are named using the ISBN, followed by the chapter number. The image file is named using the ISBN.
  • 9780123456789.zip
    • Audio
      • 9780123456789_ch1.mp3
      • 9780123456789_ch2.mp3
      • 9780123456789_ch3.mp3
    • Cover
      • 9780123456789.jpg

Cover Image Files

File Packaging and Delivery

  • As a standalone file, named as ID.jpg or ID_frontcover.jpg (or other supported formats)
  • Inside a zip file together with the audio content files. In this case, any name works.
  • Only one image file is allowed for each ID.

File Requirements

  • Accepted File Types: PNG, JPG, or PDF. TIF files are not supported.
  • Resolution: Minimum 72 dpi
  • Pixel height & width: Minimum 1,024 pixels; maximum 7,200 pixels
  • Proportions: Square cover images are recommended. If you provide a non-square image, Google will letterbox it to be a square image.

Supplemental Material

Google will accept supplemental material that is meant to accompany the audio content as long as the supplemental material meets the requirements below:

  • Must be a PDF file. Non PDF supplements are not supported.  
  • Consists of only one PDF file for any audiobook. Multi-file PDFs are not supported.
  • Must be named as <ISBN>.pdf. The PDF can be zipped with other content or provided separately.
  • Under 100 MB in size. 

 

ONIX Metadata

Google can parse and implement information from either ONIX 2.1 or ONIX 3. We provide separate instructions for sending non-audiobook-specific ONIX 2.1 and ONIX 3.

ONIX can only be used with ISBNs, not proprietary key formats or Google-generated keys (GGKEYs). If your audiobooks have GGKEYs or a proprietary key format, you will need to upload metadata and prices via CSV spreadsheet (see the “CSV Metadata” section below).

Metadata item ONIX 2.1 ONIX 3
Book format

<ProductForm>AA</ProductForm>(<b012>)

List 7:

AA - Audio, Audio recording–detail unspecified;

AJ - Downloadable audio file, Audio recording downloadable online

Required

<ProductForm>AA</ProductForm>(<b012>)

List 150:

AA-Audio, Audio recording–detail unspecified;

AJ-Downloadable audio file, Audio recording downloadable online

Required

<ProductFormDetail>A103</ProductFormDetail> (<b333>)

List 78:

A103 - MP3 format, MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer III file;

A104 - WAV format;

A107 - AAC, Advanced Audio Coding format;

A110 - FLAC, Free lossless audio codec

Optional

<ProductForm>A103</ProductForm> (<b333>)

List 175:

A103 - MP3 format, MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer III file;

A104 - WAV format;

A107 - AAC, Advanced Audio Coding format;

A110 - FLAC, Free lossless audio codec

Optional
Duration

<ExtentType>09</ExtentType> (<b218>)

List 23: 09 - Duration, Total duration in time, expressed in the specified extent unit. This is the ‘running time’ equivalent of codes 05 or 11

Required
<ExtentValue>720</ExtentValue> (<b219>)

<ExtentUnit>05</ExtentUnit> (<b220>)

List 24: Extent unit code: 04-Hours (integer and decimals); 05-Minutes (integer and decimals); 06-Seconds (integer only); 14-Hours HHH; 15-Hours and minutes HHHMM; 16-Hours minutes seconds - HHHMMSS
Contributor type: Narrator

<ContributorRole>E07</ContributorRole> (<b035>)

List 17:  E03 - Narrator; E07 - Read By

Highly recommended for better discovery to users
Edition type

<EditionTypeCode>UBR</EditionTypeCode> (<b056>)

List 21: UBR-Unabridged—Where a title has also been published in an abridged edition; also for audiobooks, regardless of whether an abridged audio version also exists; ABR - Abridged edition - Content has been shortened: use for abridged, shortened, concise, condensed

Required

<EditionType>UBR</EditionType> (<x419>)

List 21: UBR-Unabridged—Where a title has also been published in an abridged edition; also for audiobooks, regardless of whether an abridged audio version also exists; ABR - Abridged edition - Content has been shortened: use for abridged, shortened, concise, condensed

Required

 

 

CSV Metadata

CSV files can be used to send both audiobook metadata and prices. Files can either be uploaded directly in the Partner Center or by an automated fetch.

We provide separate instructions for eBook metadata CSV uploads, but many fields are shared between eBooks and audiobooks.

The following are audiobook-specific fields to include in CSV metadata:

Metadata item Description Example
Book Format

Book format with value “Audiobook” is required. Additionally, the book format must match the file type of content delivered (see Audiobook File Formats).

This field is required.

 Audiobook
Duration

The full running duration of the audiobook  can be specified in the format “HHH:MM:SS” or “HHH:MM”.

This field is required.

 T:10:37:58 or 10:37:58
Contributor

Narrator is highly recommended, in addition to other contributors (e.g. Author).
Optionally, “Read By” contributor can also be specified.

This field is required.

 Wanda G. Watinski [Author]; B. Graves [Narrator]; Jennifer Johnson [Read By]
Audiobook Preview Length Percentage

Specify the preview length as a percentage of the full audiobook.

The value is a non-negative integer.

Note: If both minutes and percents are provided, we’ll use the larger of the two. If both are smaller than the minimum preview size in the contract, the minimum size will be used.

This field is optional because if empty, we will use the default value.

 10%
Audiobook Preview Length Minutes

Specify the preview length as a number of minutes.

The value is non-negative integer.

This field is optional because we can use the default value in your template.

 15
Publisher Name

The name you want displayed as the person, imprint, or publisher who submitted this audiobook.

This field is optional.

 Electric Aardvark Publishers
For Mature Audiences?

Whether this audiobook contains mature content and is intended to be read by adults only.

This field is optional.

 For mature audiences: Yes,Y,+
Not for mature audiences: No,N,-
Abridged Version?

Whether this audiobook is an abridged (shortened) version of the full book.

This field is required.

 Abridged version: Yes,Y,+
Unabridged version: No,N,-

Currency Conversion

Please read about currency conversion for both audiobooks and eBooks. Note that if currency conversion is turned on for eBooks, it will be turned on for any audiobooks in the same account, as well.

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Contact us Tell us more and we’ll help you get there
false
Search
Clear search
Close search
Main menu
17894600791491955782
true
Search Help Center
true
true
true
true
true
82437
false
false