Spotify is boosting its audiobook content by agreeing to accept material narrated using ElevenLabs’ AI voice app. Given that ElevenLabs is currently among the most recognized AI audio providers, this new partnership is expected to boost the quantity of AI-narrated audiobooks on the platform. ElevenLabs content can be distributed to Spotify (and “select other audiobook retailers”) via Spotify’s Findaway Voices platform for indie authors. For $99 per month, authors can generate up to 500 minutes of AI audio startup ElevenLabs’ narration in 29 languages with what Spotify says is “complete control over voice and intonation.”

Alternatively, ElevenLabs also makes available “10 minutes of ‘ultra high quality’ text to speech per month for free,” in addition to a ‘creator’ plan, which costs $22 a month and provides 100 minutes of text to speech,” per Silicon Republic.

The process is simple, according to the Spotify announcement, which instructs authors to first create their digital voice-narrated audiobook using the ElevenLabs app, download the file package, then upload it to Findaway Voices. “Following a standard review, the book will go live on Spotify, as well as other retailers that accept digital voice-narrated titles from Findaway Voices,” the streamer says.

All digitally narrated titles will be “clearly marked in the metadata on Spotify and across the other retailers where Findaway Voices distributes,” its description starting with the designator “this audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.”

TechCrunch notes “the rise of AI-generated audiobooks is expected to stir considerable debate within the publishing community,” with some saying it “may compromise the overall quality of audiobooks for listeners.”

Also concerned, TechRadar wonders if AI narration could be “the first step towards that ‘double down’ on music, with an end goal of AI-generated audio in your Spotify playlist” given that “many of us may already listen to AI-generated lo-fi beats and other background noise without even noticing.”

The ElevenLabs deal follows Spotify’s previous announcement about accepting digital voice-narrated content created with Google Play Books, and the streamer says it will continue to look for new tools that make it easier for authors and publishers to reach audiences through the platform.

In September 2022, Spotify added audiobooks to its content lineup of music and podcasts. Today the company says it has more than 250,000 titles. In November 2024, Amazon added audiobooks from its Audible subsidiary to Amazon Music.