Spotify is expanding its push beyond music and podcasts by introducing narrated long-form magazine articles to its platform.
The new feature allows Premium subscribers to listen to magazine stories as part of their existing 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening time, while free users will be able to purchase individual articles for $1.99 each.
At launch, Spotify said more than 650 English-language long-form articles will be available, featuring content from major publications including Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vogue, Variety, Billboard, Wired, Vanity Fair and Pitchfork.
The narrated articles have been produced internally by Spotify’s audiobooks team and are intended to complement the platform’s existing podcast and audiobook ecosystem.
According to Colleen Prendergast, Spotify sees shorter-form narrated content as a way to encourage users to build broader listening habits that may eventually drive engagement with audiobooks and other premium audio offerings.
The move forms part of Spotify’s wider strategy to become a comprehensive audio platform. In recent weeks, the company has rolled out several AI-focused features including AI-generated podcast tools, AI-assisted audiobook creation for authors, support for AI-generated covers and remixes, and expanded fitness-related content.
Spotify currently offers several audiobook subscription options, including monthly listening-hour top-ups, a standalone Audiobook Access plan for free-tier users and an Audiobooks+ subscription that doubles listening allowances.
