
The platform expands the service to over 180 countries and introduces a catalog in Italy with more than 14 thousand works in Italian thanks to agreements with the main publishers.
AI-generated summary
Spotify has announced it will expand its audiobook service from its current base of 22 markets to more than 180 countries by the end of 2026.
Spotify expands its audio offer and opens up to audiobooks also in Italy. The announcement comes from the Frankfurt Book Fair, where the platform presented an expansion plan which involves extending the service from the current 22 markets to over 180 countries by the end of 2026.
For Italian users it means being able to access a catalog of over 350 thousand titles, available in more than 120 languages, with a dedicated section that includes over 14 thousand works in Italian. The initiative is part of Spotify's strategy to strengthen its role in the audio sector, combining books, podcasts and music in a single application.
A growing market
The expansion comes amid growth in the audiobook segment on the platform. According to data released by the company, between September 2025 and September 2026 the number of monthly audiobook listeners increased by almost 40%, while overall listening hours grew by more than 30%.
In Italy the catalog was also built thanks to agreements with various national publishers, including Gruppo Mondadori, Giunti Editore, Emons Audio, Il Narratore Audiolibri, Fazi Editore and other operators in the sector. Spotify also emphasizes maintaining non-exclusive partnerships with publishers, with the goal of broadening distribution and discovery of works.
The new functions and access models
At the same time as the Italian launch, the "Find the page" feature also arrives, designed to facilitate the transition from reading to listening. The technology allows you to synchronize a paper or digital book with the corresponding point in the audiobook via your smartphone's camera and already supports texts in over 30 languages.
To access audiobooks, Spotify offers various methods: a package of 12 hours of monthly listening included in some Premium subscriptions, additional formulas for those who want more hours of use and the direct purchase of individual titles.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Expanding audiobook service to over 180 countries by the end of 2026.
Very likely · Within months

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