Spotify’s new podcast memberships let you pay for extra perks

What happened

Spotify is letting podcast creators earn more money. Fans can now pay to get exclusive content. The feature, called Memberships, starts rolling out today in 34 regions. Podcasters can offer bonus episodes, early access, extra content, and fewer ads, all behind a paywall (a barrier that only paying users can get past).

Key facts

• Memberships is rolling out in 34 regions.
• Podcasters keep 90 percent of the membership money.
• A show needs at least 100 consumption hours, 100 listeners or viewers, and three published episodes to qualify.
• Shows must be hosted on Spotify for Creators or Megaphone to qualify.

How it works

Fans find Memberships on a podcast's Spotify page. They can subscribe and pay in just a few taps. Creators can set their own prices and bundle perks into several tiers. They also get tools to find and grow their members, such as free trials, special promotions, member badges, and welcome clips. Spotify says this works like Patreon, a site where fans give monthly support to creators. It is different from the podcast subscription Spotify launched in 2021.

Why it matters

This gives podcasters another way to earn money, next to ads and the Spotify Partner Program. Podcasters who already sell subscriptions on other services can also bring that paid content to Spotify through its Open Access feature. This could change how popular podcasters make a living.

What to watch

• Whether more regions get Memberships after the first 34.
• How many podcasters sign up and how many fans pay.
• How Memberships compares with other ways podcasters earn money on Spotify.