Spotify officially launched its “Audiobooks+” plan in the U.S. market this Tuesday, finally extending audiobook access to members of Duo and Family subscription plans. For an additional $11.99 per month, these households can now provide members with 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening, effectively bridging a long-standing gap that previously restricted access to the account holder alone.
Breaking the Household Barrier
Since Spotify introduced its audiobook service in the U.S. back in 2022, the feature had been notably absent for secondary users on shared plans. This limitation faced public scrutiny, with HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray previously identifying it as a “technical problem” that the streaming giant was actively working to resolve. With the new “Audiobooks+ for Plan Members” add-on, Spotify has finally cleared this hurdle, allowing every member of a shared plan to tap into the platform’s extensive audio library.
Strategic Growth and Market Expansion
The U.S. rollout of Audiobooks+ follows a successful debut in several international markets, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, Ireland, and much of Europe. While Spotify remains tight-lipped regarding specific user metrics for audiobooks, the company reports that listening hours for the format have surged by over 35% year-over-year in the U.S., U.K., and Australia—growth that occurred even before these expanded plan options were available.
Monetization Amid Market Challenges
This expansion arrives on the heels of a challenging second quarter for the company, which saw missed earnings expectations and softened advertising revenue. Despite these financial headwinds, Spotify’s subscriber base remains robust, with paid users growing 12% to 276 million. By introducing Audiobooks+, the company aims to deepen monetization among its existing, highly engaged user base.
The move also aligns with a broader pricing strategy, as Spotify recently announced a price hike from €10.99 to €11.99 across various international regions, including Latin America, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific. As Spotify continues to iterate on its audiobook offerings, the company has hinted at future experiments, including the potential for direct book sales, signaling a long-term commitment to the format.