Spotify launches an ElevenLabs-powered audiobook creation tool

Key Takeaways

→ The AI audiobook tool launches in beta this June, invite-only, with English-language support initially

→ Authors are not bound to an exclusive contract and can publish generated audiobooks anywhere

→ Spotify is expanding Spotify for Authors to 10 more languages, including French, German, Dutch, and Latin American Spanish

→ Spotify has passed one million Audiobook+ subscriptions and is on track for $100 million in annualized recurring revenue

→ The company's audiobook catalog has grown to 700,000 titles, with listening hours up 60% year-on-year

Alongside tools for AI-generated podcasts, Spotify on Thursday introduced a new, ElevenLabs-powered AI tool for self-publishing audiobooks within the Spotify for Authors platform. Announced at the company’s Investor Day, the feature launches in beta this June on an invite-only basis, initially supporting English only.

The Tool

The AI-powered audiobook generation will not bind authors to an exclusive contract, meaning they are free to publish their generated audiobooks anywhere. The move builds on Spotify’s previous partnership with ElevenLabs, which let writers submit audiobooks created on the voice AI startup’s platform, and on a separate partnership with Google Play Books for digitally narrated content. Notably, ElevenLabs released its own self-publishing platform for authors in 2025 - newer, more expressive voice models were likely the draw for authors.

Spotify for Authors Expands

Alongside the AI tool, Spotify is expanding Spotify for Authors to support 10 more languages, including French, Canadian French, German, Dutch, Latin American Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Icelandic, Danish, and Norwegian. The company will also expand its Audiobook+ plans this year for higher listening limits, with new student and family options planned (pricing and usage details were not disclosed).

Audiobook Momentum

The audiobook push is already showing results. Spotify has clocked in over a million Audiobook+ subscriptions and is on track to generate $100 million in annualized recurring revenue for the platform. The catalog has grown to 700,000 titles, aided by in-app purchases, non-English catalog investment, and audiobook charts. Listening hours are up 60% year-on-year, and Spotify says more than half of its audiobook listeners started in the last year.

What’s Next

Later this summer, Spotify will expand prompt-based playlist creation - currently available for podcasts and music - to audiobooks, and it introduced a natural-language way to ask questions for audiobook discovery. Between AI narration, a growing multi-language catalog, and new discovery tools, Spotify is making a clear play to become the hub where authors publish and listeners find audiobooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can authors create AI audiobooks on Spotify?

Yes. Spotify for Authors will gain an ElevenLabs-powered AI tool in beta this June, invite-only, letting authors narrate their books with AI voices without an exclusive contract.

Can I publish my AI audiobook elsewhere if I make it on Spotify?

Yes. The AI-powered audiobook generation will not bind authors to an exclusive contract, meaning they are free to publish their generated audiobooks on other platforms.

How big is Spotify's audiobook business?

Spotify reports over one million Audiobook+ subscriptions, roughly $100 million in annualized recurring revenue on track, a catalog of 700,000 titles, and listening hours up 60% year-on-year.