Help & FAQ
Getting Started
How does Spines work?
Upload any photo showing a bookshelf — it could be from a webinar, Zoom call, YouTube video, a friend's home, or your own shelves. As long as the book spines are visible and in focus, our AI will identify them and create a digital collection you can explore, organize, and share.
Why bookshelves?
A curated book collection is a work product — years of choices, interests, and discovery. There's much to learn from reading between the spines. Read our manifesto →
What kind of photos work best?
- Clear, well-lit photos with book spines in focus
- Straight-on angle (not too tilted)
- Readable spines (not too far away)
- Multiple shelves in one photo work great
Is Spines free to use?
Yes! You can upload and scan bookshelves for free.
Why Create an Account?
Your Dashboard
Your command and control center for all your content:
- View and manage all your uploaded collections
- See your complete reading list across all scans
- Track books you've liked from other collections
- Monitor collection status and engagement
Your Profile
Showcase your collections and reading activity:
- Customize your display name, bio, and avatar
- Share your profile with friends
- Control your privacy settings
Reading Lists
Organize your books:
- Track "Want to Read", "Currently Reading", and "Read"
- Build your reading history across all your scans
Sharing & Privacy
Can I share my collection?
Yes! Each collection has a unique URL you can share. Use the share button to copy the link or share directly to social media.
How do you protect my privacy?
We take privacy seriously:
- Every image is moderated before being made public
- We apply a privacy filter to blur out non-book personal items
- If we missed something, you can request specific changes
- While collections are public, you can choose to keep your ownership anonymous
Troubleshooting
My books weren't recognized correctly
Try uploading a clearer photo with better lighting. Books with unusual spine designs or very small text may be harder to identify.
The upload is taking too long
Book recognition typically takes 10-30 seconds. Large images with many books may take longer. If it's stuck, try refreshing and uploading again.
I found a bug or have feedback
We'd love to hear from you! Use the Feedback button in the navigation bar (on mobile, it's in the menu).