NetGalley Restores Kobo Access and Deepens Integration with Upcoming Booktrovert Launch
NetGalley has announced a long-awaited fix for Kobo users, resolving one of the biggest frustrations since the launch of its in-browser NetGalley Shelf Reader earlier this year. The platform revealed that starting in late May, a new “Send to Kobo” feature will allow readers to deliver digital review copies directly to their Kobo eReaders or the Kobo app—no sideloading required.
The announcement is welcome news for NetGalley members who rely on Kobo devices and were previously left out when the company introduced Readium LCP-protected downloads in January. That format, while offering secure in-browser reading, created compatibility issues for those using dedicated eReaders like Kobo.
Publishers and publicists using NetGalley can now pre-enable the “Send to Kobo” option for their ePub files, ensuring early access for reviewers once the feature goes live. These files will be protected using Kobo’s proprietary digital rights management (DRM), which aligns with Kobo’s secure ecosystem for handling commercial eBooks.
In a statement, NetGalley confirmed that the new functionality will “offer greater reading flexibility and convenience” by eliminating technical barriers for Kobo users. The company also emphasized that the change is part of a broader effort to ensure a seamless, inclusive reading experience across devices.
A Boost for Booktrovert Too
This expanded Kobo partnership isn’t limited to NetGalley’s reading platform. When NetGalley’s new consumer-facing marketing initiative, Booktrovert, launches in June, Kobo will serve as one of three default eBook giveaway fulfillment partners—alongside Kindle and Apple Books.
Booktrovert aims to help publishers reach enthusiastic readers with targeted campaigns that include free eBook promotions, making Kobo’s presence in the platform a significant development. The integration means readers who prefer Kobo can participate in giveaways without being left out of the loop.
By reestablishing Kobo functionality and tying it into future promotional tools, NetGalley appears to be strengthening its position not just as a review platform, but as a comprehensive book marketing solution for publishers—and a more accessible reading hub for reviewers across devices.