Getting people to listen to a podcast is one thing. Getting them to pay for it is another. Spotify is trying to make that second step easier with Memberships, a new feature that lets eligible podcasters charge their biggest fans for extra content while keeping 90% of the revenue they generate.
That means creators can now offer listeners a reason to pay for more, instead of relying only on ads and sponsorships. This could be bonus episodes, exclusive audio or video, early access to new releases, or fewer Spotify-inserted ads. They can also give members access to a show’s archive.
Spotify launched Memberships in October 20 across 34 markets, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia. But there aren't any African markets included, so local creators will have to wait for the feature to arrive.
Emmanuel Umahi
How Spotify Memberships works
Creators can build up to three membership tiers, each with its own price and benefits. That gives them room to offer something simple for listeners who want to show their support, alongside more exclusive perks for fans willing to pay more.
There’s more to the feature than putting episodes behind a paywall, too. Spotify is giving creators promotional tools, free trials, and analytics to help them understand what turns listeners into paying members. They can also export information shared by members, including email addresses, to stay connected with their audience beyond Spotify.
Members get a few extras of their own, including badges that appear when they comment on episodes. Creators can also welcome new members with short clips.
Fans can discover Memberships on a show’s Spotify page, but they’ll need to complete their purchase through the web. Once subscribed, they can access their exclusive content on Spotify.
The feature is launching with shows including The Adam Friedland Show, Making Sense with Sam Harris, The Shawn Ryan Show, The Sculpt Society, and Two Hot Takes. YMH Studios is also bringing Memberships to 12 shows across its network.
Who can use Spotify Memberships?
You don’t need a massive audience to qualify, but Spotify does have a few requirements.
Your show must be hosted on Spotify for Creators or Megaphone, have at least three published episodes, attract 100 unique listeners or viewers on Spotify in the previous 30 days, and record at least 100 hours of consumption on the platform over that same period.
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