Spotify, the renowned music streaming platform, is venturing into new territory with the launch of its online education offering. The company, which boasts over 600 million users worldwide, is currently testing the waters in the U.K. with a selection of freemium video courses. This move is part of Spotify’s ongoing efforts to increase user engagement and generate additional revenue streams.
The courses, produced in partnership with respected third-party providers such as the BBC and Skillshare, cover a wide range of subjects, from music production to Excel proficiency. Interestingly, there are even lessons on how to create online learning content, potentially inspiring musicians and other creatives to become “education creators” themselves.
Mohit Jitani, Spotify’s London-based product director for the education business, emphasized that the company is first seeking to understand the demand for such content before optimizing its offerings to make them more compelling and exciting. The pricing structure for these courses is also under scrutiny, with at least two lessons available for free and the total cost of a course ranging from £20 to £80 on average. Notably, the prices remain the same for both basic and premium users, at least during this initial testing phase.
The educational content will be accessible through Spotify’s home and browse tabs, as well as via the web and mobile app. While the courses are currently focused on one-directional, on-demand video, some appear to have supplementary material, such as additional documents. However, Jitani declined to comment on whether Spotify plans to introduce interactive elements or gamification in the future.
Spotify’s decision to enter the e-learning space, which was estimated to be worth more than $315 billion in 2023, is not entirely surprising. The company has been working to diversify its business and build a path to more consistent profitability and stronger margins. The U.K. was chosen as the testing ground for this new venture due to its status as a huge market for Spotify and its high level of user engagement.
Despite the seemingly dry nature of online learning and professional development, Spotify believes there is a strong connection between its popular podcasts and educational content. Around half of Spotify Premium subscribers have listened to education or self-help themed podcasts, and the company plans to use its recommendation algorithms to cross-promote its new course offerings.
Furthermore, Spotify has been working on tools to help creators manage and grow their earnings, and offering educational content aimed at running a business or improving music production aligns with this goal. The video element of the courses is also noteworthy, as Spotify has been trying to delve deeper into video content for the better part of a decade.
While Spotify’s video efforts have not yet positioned the company as a rival to YouTube or Netflix, the launch of music videos in select markets earlier this month, coupled with this earnest effort in educational videos, suggests that the company may be finding its groove in the video space.
As Spotify navigates this new territory, it will be interesting to see how users respond to the educational content and whether the company can successfully carve out a niche in the competitive e-learning market. With its vast user base and data-driven approach, Spotify is well-positioned to curate and deliver engaging educational content that resonates with its audience. Only time will tell if this venture will prove to be a profitable addition to Spotify’s ever-evolving platform.
