Spotify is introducing AI powered podcast tools, memberships and interactive listening features for creators and audiences.
The updates were announced during Investor Day 2026 and focus on video podcasting, personalised listening and new ways for creators to earn revenue through the platform.
Spotify says more than 500 million users have now streamed a video podcast, with video podcast viewing up nearly 50% year on year. The company is now adding an interactive feature allowing listeners to ask questions about a podcast while listening or watching within the app.
The feature lets users explore topics mentioned in an episode, clarify concepts and receive recommendations linked to creators and subjects discussed in the programme. It has launched for Premium mobile subscribers in the United States, Sweden and Ireland.
Spotify is also expanding monetisation options for podcasters through Creator Sponsorships, which are now available to creators and publishers in the Spotify Partner Program. The tools allow creators to manage, replace and analyse brand sponsorships for video content.
A new Memberships feature is also being introduced, giving creators recurring revenue opportunities through subscriber access to exclusive content and experiences.
Spotify says creators will retain direct relationships with subscribers and will be able to move audiences between platforms using import and export tools.
The company is also developing more personalised podcast discovery tools. Prompted Playlists, which recently expanded to podcasts, allow listeners to generate episode playlists using text prompts. Spotify says more than half of users who tried the feature discovered a new show.
Spotify is now building on that idea with Personal Podcasts, which creates short private AI generated audio episodes tailored to individual interests and listening habits.
Users can request daily briefings, topic explainers or personalised updates, while Spotify links listeners to relevant podcasts and creators.
The feature will roll out to eligible Premium users in the United States next month with monthly usage credits included.
Spotify also introduced Studio by Spotify Labs, a desktop app designed to create personalised audio using a user’s web browser and connected apps and services.
