Scribd is an American electronic publishing company that provides online access to a vast library of e-books, audiobooks, documents, and more. Founded in 2007, the company operates on a freemium model, offering a limited amount of content for free while requiring a subscription for full access. Its platform serves as a digital repository for a diverse range of materials, including academic papers, professional publications, fiction and non-fiction books, and user-uploaded content.

Scribd's primary function is to connect readers and creators. It acts as a digital publisher for authors and organizations wishing to distribute their work, offering tools for self-publishing and wider dissemination. For readers, Scribd offers a curated selection of content across various genres and subjects, often presented as an all-you-can-read service within its subscription tiers. This differs from other services that focus on individual book purchases. The subscription model provides users with unlimited access to a large catalog within the subscription's defined limits.