Example embodiments provide systems and methods for accelerating digital content playback based on speech. A content acceleration system electronically accesses digital content. The system analyzes the digital content to detect at least one audio portion within the digital content, each of the at least one audio portion comprising speech. The system creates at least one digital content segment from the digital content based on the at least one audio portion, whereby a beginning of each digital content segment of the at least one digital content segment coincides with a beginning of a corresponding audio portion of the at least one audio portion. The system then accelerates playback of the digital content by fast forwarding through parts of the at least one digital content segment where speech is absent.