YouTube, owned by Alphabet’s Google, is in discussions with various publishers about launching an audiobook service as early as next year, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The company has considered bundling this new offering with its YouTube Premium subscription, which costs $15.99 per month and currently includes ad-free access to music and videos.
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Details on how audiobooks would be presented on the platform or whether users would pay per title remain uncertain. This initiative would position YouTube in a competitive market currently led by Spotify and Amazon’s Audible.
Executives within the publishing industry see potential for reaching YouTube's extensive user base while monetizing books, especially as unauthorized audio versions are increasingly available on the site. The digital audiobook sector has seen significant growth, with revenue surpassing $1 billion in 2025, a notable increase from $265 million in 2016, according to the Association of American Publishers. This potential service could enhance YouTube’s strategy of bundling offerings to create more appealing paid subscription plans.