A different tier shows 15 hours of listening time for books.
Audiobooks Access Tier Unveiled
Spotify has expanded its offerings with the launch of a new standalone subscription service tailored specifically for audiobook enthusiasts in the US.
Dubbed the “Audiobooks Access Tier,” this service caters to individuals seeking a dedicated platform for accessing audiobooks.
Subscription Details
For a monthly fee of $9.99, subscribers gain access to 15 hours of listening time across an extensive catalog of over 200,000 Spotify audiobooks.
The collection encompasses a diverse range of titles, including popular series like George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” and standalone works such as Saima Mir’s “The Khan.”
While music and podcasts remain accessible within the service, they will be accompanied by commercial interruptions unless users opt for a separate Spotify Premium plan priced at $11 per month to eliminate ads.
Subscription Process
Interestingly, the Audiobooks Access Tier cannot be directly subscribed to through the Spotify mobile or desktop app. Instead, users are directed to a dedicated audiobook page on the company’s website to sign up for the service.
The absence of a free trial period means subscribers are committed to the plan upon purchase until they choose to cancel.
Reasoning Behind the Approach
Spotify’s decision to facilitate subscription exclusively through its website, bypassing the app, is attributed to avoiding additional fees associated with app store subscriptions.
By circumventing App Store fees, Spotify aims to provide a more cost-effective solution for users.
This approach is in line with Spotify’s previous stance on App Store subscriptions, as the company ceased support for such subscriptions in 2016, a move that was reinforced by discontinuing legacy subscriptions last year.
Considerations and Conclusion
While Spotify’s rationale for the subscription process is aimed at equitable treatment across platforms, some users may find the indirect signup method inconvenient.
Additionally, the explanation provided by Spotify regarding the avoidance of App Store fees leaves certain details unanswered, prompting further scrutiny.
Nonetheless, the introduction of the Audiobooks Access Tier represents Spotify’s commitment to diversifying its services to meet the evolving needs of its user base.