Spotify is expanding its streaming service to now include educational courses in addition to music, podcasts and audiobooks. The company on Tuesday referenced one of its newest features called courses, which allow users to learn about topics in areas like business, technology, lifestyle, music and more.
The feature is initially being piloted in the UK, Spotify notes. But more evidence indicates it may be coming to the United States soon
Chris Messina, a technology enthusiast and adoption pioneer, has noticed the development of courses in the United States. Messina’s findings indicate that courses will be available on topics that might appeal to a more technical audience, such as learning about artificial intelligence, web3, the metaverse and other digital tools.
Additionally, it found that users would be able to filter their Spotify library to only show “Podcasts & Courses” rather than just “Podcasts,” as it currently reads.
Although Spotify has not confirmed the arrival of the courses in the US, Messina discovered that he could access the section via search.
Here, however, the category pages were blank, indicating that the US feature is still in development.
The company has been working for some time to make its service known, not just music. By offering different types of audio and video, Spotify can increase its revenue through different forms of monetization. This includes ads in audio and video podcasts (also AI ads), as well as paid “top-up” hours for audiobooks aimed at subscribers who use their 15 free hours per month but still want to continue listening. The company is also undercutting the price of market leader Audible with a $10-a-month standalone audiobook subscription.
With the courses, Spotify could generate more revenue by charging users for some of the programs it offers to stream.
Spotify today highlighted a handful of courses it recommends starting with, including (bear in mind these are only available in the UK):
Correction: Updated after publication to note that the courses began testing in the UK last year, but new findings indicate they may be coming to the US soon
