Based on a recent report, YouTube is apparently considering adding audiobooks as a new medium alongside music and video.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, YouTube is “looking” into audiobooks for a future addition to the app. There’s little detail as to when it could become a concrete feature, or whether it would be offered as a standalone benefit.
The report does mention that Google is considering offering it with YouTube Premium, which costs $16/month. It would join ad-free music playback with YouTube music, in addition to the main selling point – ad-free videos.
YouTube has seemingly not confirmed the possibility. It wouldn’t be unheard of, considering Spotify and other major platforms have partnered with audiobook services to offer users a little more than just music.
While it isn’t entirely the same thing, Google Play Books’ YouTube channel has been a dedicated spot for audiobook previews, and this integration would just make it easier to connect the two products.
It also wouldn’t be the first time YouTube has donned another hat. Shorts was seen as a direct way to compete with TikTok, and it’s become a major part of the app for the company. But the YouTube Music app might be a better fit for audiobooks, rather than the main video hub.
What do you think? Are audiobooks something you’d want to see bundled into YouTube Premium?
More on YouTube:
- YouTube begins rolling out GIF support for comments very slowly; it’s for a reason
- YouTube bringing automatic background play to Android Automotive cars
- YouTube’s contextual AI search rolls out to all users on Android and iOS in US
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