In a strategic move to cater to the growing demand for audiobooks, Spotify has unveiled a dedicated access tier for audiophiles in the United States. Initially introduced for Premium subscribers in September 2022, the audiobook feature garnered significant interest from free users, prompting Spotify to introduce a specialized tier catering exclusively to audiobook enthusiasts.
Dedicated Audiobooks Tier Details:
- Subscription Cost: Priced at $9.99 per month, users gain access to a curated selection of audiobooks.
- Listening Time for Free Users: Free users of the platform are granted 15 hours of listening time for audiobooks each month.
- Usage Conditions: The hours not utilized within the month do not carry over, expiring at the end of the billing cycle.
- Additional Features: Subscribers of the audiobooks tier retain the ability to stream ad-supported music on the platform.
The new tier is exclusively available in the United States, aligning with Spotify’s goal to tailor its offerings to the specific preferences and demands of its user base. Furthermore, users in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada now have the option to directly purchase individual audiobooks from Spotify’s extensive catalog, boasting over 300,000 titles.
While Spotify Premium subscribers already enjoy access to the audiobooks feature, the dedicated tier opens up options for free users to delve into the world of audiobooks. Notably, about 200,000 titles from the audiobooks catalog are accessible to Premium subscribers, while the full catalog is available for direct purchase.
Individuals without a Premium subscription can still purchase specific audiobooks, although the transactions must be conducted through the web version of Spotify. Although purchasing is limited to the web, users can subsequently access their audiobooks seamlessly through the smartphone application.
Key Audiobook Features:
- Offline Playback: Users can download audiobooks for offline listening, ensuring accessibility even without an internet connection.
- Automatic Bookmarking: Audiobooks feature an automatic bookmarking mechanism, providing a hassle-free experience when resuming playback.
- Playback Control: Users enjoy granular control over playback speed, allowing them to adjust the pace to their preference.
Currently, the audiobooks tier and the associated feature are not available in India. However, Spotify has expressed its commitment to refining and expanding audiobook-oriented features, with plans to introduce the content in additional global markets.
In Shorts: With the introduction of a dedicated audiobooks tier, Spotify continues to evolve its offerings, demonstrating a keen awareness of user preferences and a commitment to enhancing the overall audio streaming experience.
