Scribd used to be good, but now its on the decline

Scribd initially launched as a PDF document sharing service and later transitioned into an unlimited e-book subscription site in 2013. This gave users unlimited access to Scribd’s library of digital books for a flat monthly fee. Over the years, they had content from HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and other major publishers. A year later, they included audiobooks. This was their golden era, when they were a viable alternative to Kindle Unlimited.

During the subscription years, a series of power users would read dozens of books a month, and Scribd would incur a loss. The company disclosed to Good e-Reader that to remain profitable, they need to maintain some semblance of control over the most voracious readers. Publishers are paid after a certain percentage of pages have been read, not after the entire book has been read. This business model has been adopted by the big five and is non-negotiable; this is why Scribd decided to throttle users. Once you download a certain number of titles, most of the bestsellers disappear, and a smaller pool of content is available. During the next billing cycle, the books are refreshed again.

In 2024, to put all of this drama behind them, Scribd rebranded itself as Everand for its subscription system. In late 2024, Scribd announced that it is pivoting away from the unlimited subscription model and moving to a credit-based system for its Everand reading platform in the United States and international markets.

They made this change so they would finally gain access to all the front-list titles from every major publisher, including all the big books on the New York Times bestseller list. There will be only two tiers in the future from Everand: a Standard plan, priced at $11.99 per month, for one premium title, and a Plus plan, priced at $16.99 per month, for three titles. Both plans provide unlimited access to magazines, podcasts, sheet music, and a small catalog of e-books and audiobooks, including Everand Originals.

The pivot to a credit-based system was the beginning of the end for Scribd. The vast majority of users did not like this change, since the prices dramatically increased and there was less content. When you attract a large number of users under a subscription-based system and suddenly pivot to an entirely new one, customers have the right to be upset. If Reddit, Facebook, X, and other social media are to be believed, most people quit Scribd. They decided to do business with Audible for audiobooks, or Kindle Unlimited, Kobo Plus, or a competing service such as Libro.fm or audiobooks.com and Libby.

Wrap up

Ever since Scribd changed its subscription model, the company’s business has been in decline. The Netflix of e-books system is gone and has been replaced by high fees. This was not a smart move, considering they are a little fish in a big pond. Now, they are like any other Audible competitors who offer smaller catalogs for almost the same price. Not to mention the credits you pay for, do not rollover into the next month and disappear.