Spotify now lets Premium users listen to magazine articles: Here’s what you need to know

Music streaming platform Spotify has started rolling a new feature called ‘narrated articles’ that brings narrated magazine stories to its platform as the company expands beyond music, podcasts and audiobooks. As announced by the company, the new format will offer more than 650 long-form articles in audio form for users in markets where Spotify audiobooks are available. The feature has started rolling out in English language and has been produced by the company’s own in-house team. As announced by the company, the curated collection includes stories from publications including Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vogue, Variety, Billboard, Vibe, GQ, WIRED, Vanity Fair, and Pitchfork.

What is Spotify’s narrated article feature

Each narrated article is under two hours long and available within Premium users’ monthly audiobooks allowance, alongside Spotify’s existing audiobook library. Free users can purchase individual articles for $1.99 each.


Similar to podcasts, Articles will allow people to trial shorter, less intimidating listens, opening the gateway to explore longer-form listening like books, the company says. Articles on Spotify give listeners in supported markets another way to go deeper on the artists, stories, and topics they care about.


“We see Articles as a natural extension of the audio people already come to Spotify for,” Spotify said adding “And through Spotify’s discovery and personalization features, media publishers and magazine partners can bring stories directly to listeners who are most likely to be excited about their content”.


Colleen Prendergast, Licensing Lead at Spotify Audiobooks said: “With Articles, we’re introducing long-form journalism in audio as a natural extension of the music, podcasts, and audiobooks people already come to Spotify for, focused on topics we know they love. By bringing shorter form content into the mix, we’re meeting audiences where they are to help build healthy listening habits, ultimately growing engagement with books over time.”


Julian Holguin, CEO, Rolling Stone said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Spotify in what we see as a natural synergy between two platforms that celebrate music and culture. This collaboration with Articles allows us to deepen the connection between our readers and the artists, stories, and features they care about, while also providing an opportunity for discovery. By making Rolling Stone’s journalism more accessible on Spotify, we’re excited to bring our storytelling to an even wider audience.”

Spotify expands audiobook push

Spotify launched audiobooks just over two years ago and said it has since expanded the service into 22 markets. The company added that audiobook listening hours have grown 60% year over year.


The company also said it plans to continue investing in audio-focused reading experiences with features such as Page Match, Recaps and Follow Along.