Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can now enjoy one free audiobook per month from Audible’s extensive catalogue at no extra cost.
This new feature is available to users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada and is aimed at enhancing the attraction of its music streaming service while simultaneously challenging Spotify’s growing presence in the audiobook sector.
Subscribers to the individual and family plans of Amazon Music Unlimited can now choose an audiobook of their liking each month.
They may either continue listening to their selected title across billing cycles or opt for a new one in the subsequent cycle. This addition does not come with restrictions on audiobook length and is included as part of the existing subscription package.
Steve Boom, Amazon’s vice president of Audio, Twitch, and Games, described the development as a step towards broadening the reach of Audible’s industry-leading audiobook catalogue. “This introduces a new audience to the world of audiobooks by integrating them into the Amazon Music experience,” he noted.
This development comes as Amazon seeks to bolster its audio offerings in response to increasing competition in the market.
Spotify, which has become the second-largest audiobook provider, already includes limited audiobook access for its Premium subscribers across various regions, with a 15-hour monthly cap for free-tier users.
Spotify also launched an audiobook-exclusive plan earlier this year, intensifying competition in the space.
Meanwhile, Audible continues to offer its standalone plans starting at $7.95 per month, which include a mix of original audiobooks, podcasts, and sleep tracks. Its $14.95 plan provides subscribers with one premium audiobook each month, featuring bestsellers and new releases.
Amazon has been making strides to refine its book recommendation systems across platforms. Late last year, it introduced the “Your Books” tracker to consolidate saved or purchased titles from Amazon, Kindle, and Audible.
The company has also leveraged data from Prime Video to personalise audiobook suggestions for Audible users, further integrating its services to enhance user experience.
With the addition of audiobooks, Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers gain more value for their plans, which cost $10 per month for Amazon Prime members and $11 for non-members.
New customers can also take advantage of a three-month free trial to explore the service.
