Spotify Expands Audiobooks Access Across US Family Plans

Spotify has officially rolled out its Audiobooks+ subscription add-on to users in the United States, marking a significant update for listeners who share Family or Duo plans. For $11.99 per month, subscribers can now access an additional 15 hours of audiobook listening time, on top of the 15 hours already included in the Premium plan.

The change is particularly important for households, as it finally allows all members not just the primary account holder to enjoy Spotify’s audiobook library. Previously, only the main subscriber could listen, leaving other family members without access. Now, everyone under the same plan can explore thousands of audiobook titles without buying extra accounts.

This U.S. expansion follows successful launches in countries such as the U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany, and France, showing Spotify’s intent to strengthen its position in the audiobook market.

Spotify’s New Features You Might Have Missed

While the Audiobooks+ rollout has been the headline update, Spotify has quietly introduced other new tools to enhance user experience. Many listeners may not have noticed these changes, but they are designed to make navigating and discovering content even easier.

Spotify’s Following Feed for Music Lovers

A new Following filter has been added under the Music section on the homepage. This feature gathers the latest releases from artists you follow, giving you a dedicated space to preview, play, and save their newest tracks. It’s a personalized release radar that feels more organized than scrolling through endless playlists.

Option to Remove the Create Button

In response to user feedback, Spotify now allows you to hide the controversial Create button from the navigation bar. This feature, introduced not long ago, frustrated many users because it disrupted their app navigation habits. Now, by going into Settings and Privacy → Content and Display, you can simply toggle the button off, restoring the classic Spotify layout.

Discover Weekly Playlist Gets a Makeover

Celebrating a decade of Discover Weekly, it has redesigned one of its most-loved features. The new version comes with bold, rotating graphics and introduces genre filters, letting you focus on up to five music categories based on your listening history. Selecting a genre creates a 30-song playlist for a fresh discovery session every week.

Why Spotify Is Expanding Its Audiobooks Service Now

The timing of the Audiobooks+ expansion comes after it faced a challenging quarter, reporting weaker advertising revenue than expected. However, subscriber growth remains a bright spot, with active users rising to 696 million and paid subscribers climbing to 276 million.

By introducing the Audiobooks+ plan to more users, especially in family households, Spotify aims to increase engagement while boosting revenue from existing customers. The move also puts Spotify in direct competition with other audiobook services like Audible, but with the advantage of combining music, podcasts, and books in a single app.

Audiobooks+ for the Voracious Listener

While some casual audiobook fans may find 15 additional hours unnecessary, the plan appeals to avid listeners who can easily go through multiple books each month. The recurring hours mean no interruptions mid-book, and the convenience of streaming on Spotify makes it a strong alternative to standalone audiobook apps.

A Bigger Picture for Spotify’s Future

This push into audiobooks is part of larger strategy to diversify its content offering. Over the past few years, It has heavily invested in podcasts, exclusive content, and now a broader audiobook experience. By integrating these into one platform, Spotify hopes to keep users within its ecosystem longer and reduce the need for them to seek other media services. Also Read: Karnataka State Education Policy Recommends 2-Language System for Schools: Powerful Education Shift

Conclusion:

Spotify’s U.S. expansion of Audiobooks+ may be the headline, but the subtle new features  from the Following feed to playlist upgrades show the company’s ongoing commitment to improving user experience. For millions of listeners, these updates make more than just a music app; it’s becoming a complete entertainment hub.