Reported plans

The Wall Street Journal reports that YouTube is preparing an audiobook section that could launch as soon as 2027. According to sources familiar with Google, the company has spent several months in talks with publishers about adding selected titles. Google has not yet commented officially, so the plans remain unconfirmed. The feature would be aimed at Premium subscribers, and it is not yet known whether users of the free service would get access.

Pricing and library questions

The Verge and Engadget both say YouTube has considered bundling audiobooks with its Premium subscription, which costs $16 a month. According to the Wall Street Journal, the feature would be included in Premium at no extra cost, though that remains unconfirmed. Open questions include whether YouTube would offer its full library or hold back some titles for individual purchase. It is also unknown whether the service would set a monthly listening limit as Spotify does. Engadget puts Spotify's Premium allowance at 15 hours a month, while Europa Press gives twelve hours for the same plan.

Monthly prices of audiobook-related plans cited in reports (USD per month)
Audible Standard9Spotify Audiobooks Access10Spotify Audiobooks+ add-on12Audible Premium15YouTube Premium (bundle considered)16

Competition with Spotify and Audible

Spotify began adding audiobooks in 2022, and Europa Press reports that its global rollout, which reached Spain, offers more than 350,000 titles in over 120 languages. GSM Arena reports that the service expanded to over 180 markets in 2026. Engadget lists an Audiobooks+ add-on at $12 a month for another 15 hours, plus a standalone Audiobooks Access plan at $10 a month with 15 hours. Audible's $9 Standard membership includes one audiobook a month, while its $15 Premium membership adds a monthly credit to keep a title and access to an all-you-can-listen catalogue. Google Play has sold audiobooks since 2018, but each title is bought separately with no subscription.

Key dates in audiobook moves by streaming platforms
  1. Google Play Store begins offering audiobooks, sold per title without a subscription
  2. Spotify begins introducing audiobooks on its platform
  3. Google adds podcast support to YouTube Music
  4. YouTube audiobook section could launch, according to the Wall Street Journal

Piracy and AI-voiced recordings

Engadget notes that YouTube already hosts many audiobook channels, some with public-domain titles and others with books that are not legally supposed to be on the platform. The same report calls unauthorized recordings made with AI a growing problem on the service. Engadget also says YouTube's success would depend on the size of its library and how competitive its prices are. Google added podcast support to YouTube Music in 2023, and podcasts are available ad-free with a Premium subscription.

What is still unknown

YouTube has not confirmed a launch date, a price or a final structure for the feature. Reports so far agree only that the audiobook section is in development and that talks with publishers have taken place.