Here’s how ebook reading changed since 2020. Four shifts stand out. Digital reading surged during pandemic lockdowns, and many of those habits stuck for the long term. Subscription reading services kept growing. Readers grew more aware of DRM and device lock-in. And social platforms like BookTok changed how readers discover new titles.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Quick Answer: Since 2020, ebook reading has changed in four big ways. Digital reading surged during the pandemic, and the habit stuck. Subscription services kept growing. Readers now pay closer attention to DRM and device lock-in. And social platforms like BookTok now drive major book discovery and sales.
Table of Contents
- The Pandemic-Era Reading Shift
- Continued Growth of Subscription Reading
- Rising Awareness Around DRM and Ownership
- Social Media Reshaping Book Discovery
- What This Means Going Forward
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related eBooks
How Ebook Reading Changed Since 2020: The Pandemic-Era Shift
Many readers stayed home during 2020 and 2021, and that pushed them toward digital formats they hadn’t used much before. Library and bookstore closures played a part. So did extra free time. For many readers, those habits stuck long after lockdowns ended.
Continued Growth of Subscription Reading
Subscription reading services grew fast after 2020. They expanded their catalogues and reached more readers, giving high-volume readers an alternative to buying each title outright. This growth hasn’t replaced traditional ebook purchases; it sits alongside them.
Rising Awareness Around DRM and Ownership
Readers started talking more about device lock-in, what happens to a library when you switch platforms, and what “owning” a digital book really means. Amazon responded directly: in January 2026, it let some publishers offer DRM-free Kindle downloads. That change only covered a limited set of titles, but it showed how far the conversation had grown.
Expert tip: If DRM and long-term ownership matter to you, this is a good moment to reassess your reading platform choices. More DRM-free options exist now than a few years ago, and the conversation has shifted in real ways.
Social Media Reshaping Book Discovery
Video-based social platforms became a major driver of book sales and renewed interest in backlist titles, sometimes pushing older books back onto bestseller lists years after their original publication. Discovery shifted away from traditional reviews and bookstore placement and toward peer recommendation in short-form video.
Common mistake: Assuming book discovery still runs mainly through bookstore displays or newspaper reviews. Social recommendation has become a major force in what readers pick up next.
What This Means Going Forward
Across these shifts, one theme stands out: readers now care more about how their digital reading works, not just what they’re reading. Format flexibility, ownership terms, and community-driven discovery all point toward a more informed, less passive reading public than existed before 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did ebook reading increase permanently after the pandemic?
Many readers who shifted toward digital formats during that period kept at least some of those habits afterward, though long-term patterns vary by individual and region.
Are subscription reading services replacing ebook purchases?
Not fully. They’ve grown as an extra option alongside outright purchasing. High-volume readers find them especially appealing, but they haven’t replaced the purchase model.
What changed with Amazon’s DRM policy in 2026?
Amazon began letting some publishers offer DRM-free downloads for Kindle titles starting in January 2026. This applies only to publishers who opted in, and to titles published after a certain date.
Is BookTok still influencing book sales?
Yes. Social media-driven book discovery has stayed a major factor in publishing since it first took off, and it still influences which titles suddenly gain popularity.
Are readers more aware of DRM now than before 2020?
Yes. Conversations around device lock-in and digital ownership have become far more visible and mainstream compared to a few years earlier.
Has the rise of AI affected how people read ebooks?
AI tools have started showing up in reading-adjacent contexts, like summarization and recommendation. Their direct effect on core reading habits is still an evolving area.
Do older or backlist titles benefit from social media discovery?
Yes. Older books have gained sudden renewed popularity through social platform recommendations, sometimes years after their original publication.
What should a reader take away from these changes?
Pay attention to format flexibility and ownership terms, not just price or convenience. This has become a more relevant consideration as these conversations have grown since 2020.
Related eBooks
As reading habits and priorities evolve, LD Global has stayed focused on DRM-free PDFs and genuine ownership from the start. Browse titles like AI Snake Oil, or see the full catalogue.
Questions about this article or a title in our catalogue? Reach us at contact@ldglobalebooks.com.