Spotify Introduces Podcast Memberships Giving Creators 90% Payout

Spotify rolled out its Memberships tool across 34 regions, letting podcasters charge monthly fees and keep 90% of earnings.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 22, 2026 · 6:48 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

Spotify launched its new Memberships feature in 34 markets.

Creators keep 90% of the membership revenue while Spotify retains 10%.

Podcasters must have at least 100 listeners and 100 hours of consumption in the past 30 days to qualify.

The feature requires shows to be hosted on Spotify for Creators or Megaphone with at least three published episodes.

Users must complete payments through the Spotify website rather than in-app purchases.

Spotify rolled out a fresh Memberships tool across 34 regions, enabling qualified podcasters to bill audiences a monthly subscription for bonus material and special perks.

Creators take home 90% of earnings from this setup, and Spotify keeps the remaining 10%.

The audio platform initially teased this capability at its Investor Day in May, and it succeeds Spotify's previous podcast subscription offering that started in 2021.

Membership Features

The system lets podcasters supply bonus audio and video materials, extra episodes, reduced ads, early episode availability, and access to older episodes.

Podcasters are able to set up a maximum of three subscription levels, featuring distinct perks and costs. Spotify lets creators choose their own pricing rather than enforcing rates.

Even so, promotional examples from Spotify display a monthly plan costing $4.99 with a seven-day trial period.

Both free and premium platform users are able to view subscription options right on a show page and listen to exclusive material inside the application.

Subscriptions must be purchased via the Spotify website rather than through in-app checkout.

Paying subscribers can show custom badges while leaving comments on episodes, and podcasters can greet new supporters using special video or audio snippets.

Revenue and Creator Tools

Podcasters keep 90% of subscription earnings under the new system, which runs alongside older income streams like ads, sponsorships, and the Spotify Partner Program.

The service also supplies analytics, trial offers, and targeted promotions to help podcasters track what drives user sign-ups.

Makers can also download subscriber data, such as email addresses from fans who willingly provide them.

Eligibility Requirements

Podcasters must fulfill specific criteria to use Spotify Memberships.

Shows need hosting on Megaphone or Spotify for Creators, alongside a minimum of three released episodes.

Makers also need at least 100 consumers and 100 hours of listen time on Spotify within the past 30 days.

Availability

The feature debuts with shows like The Shawn Ryan Show, The Adam Friedland Show, Making Sense with Sam Harris, and YMH Studios rolling it out across 12 programs.

The rollout covers 34 regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Singapore, Romania, Portugal, Poland, Norway, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Malta, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, Greece, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Czechia, Cyprus, Canada, Bulgaria, Belgium, Austria, and Australia.

Pakistan is absent from the initial launch.

Questions and answers

What percentage of revenue do creators keep on Spotify Memberships?

Creators receive 90% of membership revenue, while Spotify retains the remaining 10%.

What are the eligibility requirements for Spotify Memberships?

Shows must be hosted on Spotify for Creators or Megaphone, have at least three published episodes, and record at least 100 listeners or viewers and 100 hours of content consumption during the previous 30 days.