Key facts
- Spotify is expanding audiobook access to over 180 markets worldwide, starting Wednesday.
- Over 750 million users will be able to access audiobooks.
- The platform offers more than 350,000 titles in over 120 languages.
- Premium subscribers in eligible countries get 12 hours of audiobooks.
- Audiobook+ standalone subscriptions offer a 15-hour allowance or direct title purchases.
- Audiobook+ has over 1 million subscribers and generates over $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
Spotify announced on Wednesday that it is expanding its audiobook offering to over 180 markets globally, a move that will make audiobooks accessible to more than 750 million users. The expansion, which begins immediately and will continue over the coming months, aims to bolster Spotify's competitive position against music streaming services and dedicated audiobook platforms like Audible.
Previously, audiobooks were mainly available in English-speaking countries such as the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, along with Germany. The expanded service will feature over 350,000 titles across more than 120 languages. For instance, users in Spain will have access to approximately 45,000 Spanish-language titles.
Spotify is collaborating with over 300 publishers globally, including Planeta and Mondadori, to broaden its title selection in various regions. For Premium subscribers in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Chile, Norway, and Peru, the service includes 12 hours of audiobook listening. Globally, users can opt for an Audiobook+ standalone subscription, which provides a 15-hour allowance, or purchase individual titles. An Audiobook+ add-on for student plans is also set to launch in select regions in November.
Since its introduction last year, Spotify's Audiobook+ has attracted over 1 million subscribers and generated more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue. The company also noted the success of its "Page Match" feature, launched in February, which allows users to scan a physical book page to find the corresponding audiobook segment. This feature has been used by 1 million people monthly since its debut. Over the past year, monthly audiobook listeners on Spotify have increased by 40%, with listening hours rising by 30%.