YouTube Preparing To Add Audiobooks To Premium Subscription

YouTube is reportedly discussing audiobook additions with publishers, potentially launching the feature next year.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 16, 2026 · 12:54 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

YouTube is holding talks with publishers to bring audiobooks to its platform according to the Wall Street Journal.

The new feature could be revealed as early as next year, though Google has not issued an official comment.

Google Play Store audiobooks have required individual purchases since 2018.

Spotify expanded its audiobook service to more than 180 markets earlier this year.

YouTube is currently discussing potential audiobook additions with publishers, based on a report from the Wall Street Journal. An announcement regarding the new feature might happen as early as next year, though Google has provided no official comment so far.

Audiobooks Could Be Included With Premium

Unlike Google Play Store audiobooks that customers have purchased separately since 2018, YouTube plans to bundle audiobook listening directly into the YouTube Premium subscription. This addition would provide Premium with another benefit compared to the lower-cost Premium Lite option, which provides fewer perks. It might also help explain recent price hikes for YouTube Premium.

YouTube Already Offers Podcasts

In 2023, Google integrated podcast functionality into YouTube Music. Premium members can enjoy podcasts either online or offline. While Premium Lite leaves out music, it still permits ad-free podcast streaming.

YouTube Could Compete More Directly With Spotify

Introducing audiobooks would place YouTube in stronger rivalry with Spotify, which currently provides audiobooks via a standalone audiobook tier and its standard Premium membership. Earlier this year, Spotify grew its audiobook availability to over 180 markets. The platform also supplies tools like Page Match, enabling listeners to snap a picture of a physical book page and resume listening at that exact spot in the audiobook. Should these reported initiatives proceed, audiobooks may join music, podcasts, and ad-free video as another core component of YouTube Premium.

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