Spotify to test free Audiobook bundle for paid subscribers

Spotify plans to test a free audiobook bundle for its paid subscribers in collaboration with major US publishers. The trial will provide users with up to 20 hours of audiobook content free of charge and is expected to focus initially on English-speaking countries including the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, although the range of audiobooks included in the bundle is yet to be finalized.

This move follows Spotify's recent premium plan price hike to $10.99 per month and the news that they will put the lyrics feature behind a paywall. The addition of free audiobook streaming could help to counterbalance the effect of the price rise for subscribers.

Spotify began selling audiobooks in 2022, but sales were limited to the web platform due to Apple's App Store's 30% commission policy. The free audiobook bundle will act as a promotional tool for Spotify's audiobook store, increasing its exposure among users. Unlike purchased content, the free bundle will not be subject to Apple's 30% commission, allowing direct access via the Spotify app. With this free feature, Spotify aims to become an alternative to Amazon's Audible in the audiobook market and attract book enthusiasts to its platform. Let's wait and see how it turns out.