The aim here is to provide a seamless experience for its listeners. Larger podcast shows like NPR are using the paid subscriptions feature to upload its content without any paid advertisements. To gain access to paid subscriptions as a podcast creator, you need to sign up for the waitlist while Spotify continues to test the feature with the 12 initial podcasters. You can either use the search feature to find podcasts with paid subscriptions or other creative ways like using Spotify's podcast charts to find new creators.Īll episodes that require a paid subscription will be marked with a lock icon where the play button is so listeners can easily identify them. Podcast episodes that are marked as subscription-only will be discoverable and searchable like any other content on Spotify. So the earlier a podcaster can become a part of the program, the more revenue they stand to gain. Normal transaction processing fees will still be charged. Anchor has mentioned it plans on allowing podcasters to keep 100% of the profits from paid subscriptions, though only until 2023.Īt which time, Anchor will begin taking a 5% cut from all paid subscription fees.

US residents are first in line to be able to use the feature and it will pay to be on the bandwagon early. The paid subscription feature from Spotify is meant to directly compete with Apple and has enough advantages to do so.Īt first, only 12 podcasters were given early access to the paid subscriptions feature on Spotify to test it out with their listeners and give feedback on how it can improve. Apple has its own version of paid subscriptions that it announced in April 2021.

Paid subscriptions allow podcasters to upload their content behind a paywall to entice listeners to subscribe to get access to all their content. Anchor is the major platform Spotify uses for its podcasting creator hub. With the help of Anchor, Spotify has introduced paid subscriptions for all podcasters.

Spotify plans podcast subscriptions