Spotify Partners with ElevenLabs to Expand AI-Narrated Audiobook Collection

Spotify has taken a significant step in expanding its audiobook library by partnering with ElevenLabs, a leading AI voice technology company. Starting February 20, 2025, authors can submit audiobooks narrated using ElevenLabs’ digital voice software. This move aims to make audiobook production more accessible and affordable for authors worldwide.

What the Spotify and ElevenLabs Partnership Means for Authors

Creating an audiobook can be costly and time-consuming. With this new collaboration, Spotify simplifies the process. ElevenLabs’ AI technology allows authors to narrate their books in 29 languages with full control over voice tone and intonation.

Authors can:

Produce high-quality audiobooks at a lower cost
Choose from a variety of synthetic voices
Expand their reach through Spotify and other retailers via Findaway Voices

This partnership particularly benefits independent authors and small publishers seeking affordable options for audiobook creation.

How Authors Can Submit AI-Narrated Audiobooks to Spotify

Getting an audiobook on Spotify through ElevenLabs is straightforward:

Create Your Audiobook: Use ElevenLabs to generate your AI-narrated audiobook.
Download the Audio Package: Once complete, download the file.
Upload to Findaway Voices: Upload your audiobook to Findaway Voices by Spotify for distribution.
Undergo Review: Spotify conducts a standard review process.
Publish: Once approved, your audiobook will be available on Spotify and other participating retailers.

All AI-narrated titles include a disclaimer in the metadata, stating: “This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.”

Why Spotify Is Embracing AI Narration

Spotify recognizes that traditional audiobook production can be expensive. Human narration, while valued, often requires significant resources. By supporting AI narration, Spotify aims to:

Lower barriers to entry for independent authors
Revive older book titles that might not otherwise be adapted to audio
Offer more content variety to listeners

While Spotify emphasizes the importance of human narration, it acknowledges that digital voices offer practical solutions for expanding its library.

What Listeners Can Expect

Listeners browsing Spotify’s audiobook section will now encounter more titles with digital narration. These audiobooks will:

Be clearly marked with an AI narration disclaimer
Maintain quality standards after Spotify’s review process
Provide access to a broader range of books, including lesser-known and independently published works

Spotify’s integration of AI-generated audiobooks ensures that listeners can explore more stories without compromising clarity or accessibility.

How Does ElevenLabs Technology Work?

ElevenLabs uses advanced AI to produce lifelike narration. Features include:

Support for 29 languages
Multiple synthetic voice options
Customizable pitch and intonation settings

The platform’s accessibility allows authors with limited resources to create professional-sounding audiobooks efficiently.

Competition in the AI-Narrated Audiobook Space

Spotify isn’t alone in embracing AI narration. Apple Books began offering digitally narrated titles in early 2023. Meanwhile, Spotify’s previous partnership with Google Play Books in late 2023 marked its initial foray into AI-generated audiobooks.

This new deal with ElevenLabs strengthens Spotify’s position as a competitive player in the growing digital audiobook market.

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What the Spotify and ElevenLabs Partnership Means for Authors