Spotify is expanding its audiobook service to over 180 markets globally, allowing more than 750 million users to access audiobooks as the company aims to strengthen its position against music streaming rivals and dedicated audiobook platforms such as Audible.
According to TechCrunch, Spotify’s audiobook offering was previously concentrated in English-speaking markets such as the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, along with Germany.
Spotify said the newly added markets will have access to more than 350,000 audiobook titles, while its overall catalogue now spans over 120 languages. In Spain, users can choose from more than 45,000 audiobooks in Spanish.
The streaming company is collaborating with more than 300 publishers around the world, including Planeta and Mondadori, to broaden its audiobook catalogue across various regions.
In eligible countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Chile, Norway and Peru, Premium subscribers will be able to listen to up to 12 hours of audiobooks. In other markets, users can opt for an Audiobook+ standalone subscription offering 15 hours of listening or purchase individual audiobook titles.
Spotify is also planning to introduce the Audiobook+ option for student plans in selected markets in November. The company said the service has attracted more than 1 million subscribers since its launch last year and now generates over $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
In February, Spotify introduced its Page Match feature, enabling users to scan a page from a physical book and locate the matching section in its audiobook version. According to the company, around 1 million users now access the feature each month.
Spotify reported that the number of monthly audiobook listeners has grown by 40% over the past year, while total listening time has increased by 30%.
The company has additionally rolled out Audiobook Charts, giving users a way to discover popular titles, and introduced an AI-powered feature that enables authors to convert books into audiobooks using models from ElevenLabs.
Spotify has also begun testing physical book sales through its audiobook platform in selected markets, including the US and UK, as it continues to expand its footprint across the broader audio and publishing industry.
