Spotify launches ElevenLabs-powered tool for self-publishing audiobooks

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Spotify launches ElevenLabs-powered tool for self-publishing audiobooks

Spotify is expanding its audiobook ambitions with a new AI-powered tool that lets authors self-publish audiobooks directly through its Spotify for Authors platform. Announced during the company’s Investor Day event on Thursday, the feature, built in partnership with voice AI startup ElevenLabs, is set to launch in beta this June on an invite-only basis, initially supporting English-language titles only.

How the AI audiobook tool works

The new tool integrates ElevenLabs’ expressive voice synthesis technology, allowing authors to generate audiobook narrations without needing a professional recording studio or voice actor. Spotify emphasized that authors using the AI-powered generation will not be bound to an exclusive contract, meaning they are free to distribute their generated audiobooks on other platforms as well. This move builds on a prior partnership between the two companies, which already allowed writers to submit audiobooks created on ElevenLabs’ platform to Spotify.

Spotify already had a partnership with Google Play Books for digitally narrated content. However, the company appears to be leaning into ElevenLabs’ newer voice models, which offer more expressive and human-like narration, a key factor in making AI-generated audiobooks more palatable to listeners.

Expanding Spotify for Authors and Audiobook+

Beyond the AI narration tool, Spotify is broadening its Spotify for Authors platform to support 10 additional languages: French, Canadian French, German, Dutch, Latin American Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Icelandic, Danish, and Norwegian. This expansion signals Spotify’s intent to capture a more global author and listener base.

The company also announced plans to expand its Audiobook+ subscription tier this year, introducing higher listening limits and new options for students and families. Specific pricing and usage details were not disclosed. To date, Spotify has registered over one million Audiobook+ subscriptions and is on track to generate $100 million in annualized recurring revenue from the audiobook segment.

New discovery features and AI-powered search

Spotify is also enhancing audiobook discovery with a new natural language query feature that allows users to ask questions to find titles. This summer, the company will extend its prompt-based playlist creation feature — currently available for music and podcasts — to include audiobooks.

These moves reflect Spotify’s deepening investment in the audiobook market over the past few years. The platform has grown its catalog to 700,000 titles, expanded internationally, invested in non-English content, enabled in-app purchases, and introduced audiobook charts. Earlier this year, it also launched a program for authors to sell physical books in the U.S. and the U.K. According to Spotify, these initiatives have driven a 60% year-on-year increase in listening hours, with more than half of its audiobook listeners starting within the last year.

Industry context and implications

The partnership with ElevenLabs is notable given that the voice AI startup released its own self-publishing platform for authors in 2025. By integrating ElevenLabs’ technology directly into Spotify for Authors, Spotify is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for independent authors looking to produce and distribute audiobooks without upfront production costs or exclusive distribution deals.

For authors, this lowers the barrier to entry into the audiobook market, which has traditionally required significant investment in studio time and voice talent. For listeners, the promise of more titles with natural-sounding narration could accelerate the shift from print and e-books to audio. However, questions remain about the long-term quality and listener acceptance of AI-narrated content, especially for complex or emotionally nuanced works.

Conclusion

Spotify’s new ElevenLabs-powered audiobook creation tool represents a strategic push to dominate the audiobook production and distribution chain. By offering authors a free, non-exclusive way to generate audiobooks, and by expanding its platform’s language support and subscription options, Spotify is betting that ease of creation and broad distribution will drive further growth in its audiobook business. The beta launch in June will be a key test of both the technology’s quality and author adoption.

FAQs

Q1: When will Spotify’s AI audiobook creation tool be available?
The tool will launch in beta in June 2025, on an invite-only basis, initially supporting English-language titles.

Q2: Will authors be locked into an exclusive contract if they use Spotify’s AI tool?
No. Authors can publish their AI-generated audiobooks on Spotify and any other platform they choose.

Q3: What is ElevenLabs’ role in this feature?
ElevenLabs provides the voice AI technology that generates the audiobook narration, using its expressive and human-like voice models.

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