Spotify buys audiobook platform Findaway

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Spotify's newest acquisition suggests it wants to develop its library of audiobook titles. The company bought the audiobook platform Findaway, an Ohio, US-based company with a catalog of over 325,000 titles. It has partnerships with companies like Apple, Amazon, and other retail giants. The service also makes tools for audiobook creators. 

The streaming service hasn't released the acquisition details, and it wouldn't go into the specifics about what it plans. But the company has said in a statement that this deal can help it "quickly scale its audiobook catalog" and create new opportunities for authors and publishers.

Source: Engadget

Spotify now lets you block users

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Spotify might not be the first service you'll think of when you think about blocking other users. But maybe you have some people in your life (online or offline) that you don't want to have access to your playlists or activity on the app. The company is now letting you block another user without having to go through customer service.

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Spotify will rollout video podcasts to all creators on a 'rolling basis'

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In case you missed the news, Spotify announced last week that it would encourage all podcasters on its platform to add videos to their shows. Any creator can already apply for access to video uploading features in Anchor. The company's free self-publishing podcast division will distribute the episodes directly on Spotify. 

But the rollout of "vodcasts" will be on a "rolling basis." They want to attract existing podcasters to expand to videos and welcome video creators looking to bring their content to Spotify. The service has over 2.9 million podcasts on it. Interested creators can apply at this link.

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Spotify brings brand sponsorships to Release Radar playlist

You might soon be seeing brand-sponsored content on Spotify's Release Radar playlist, at least if you have a free account. This is the third playlist Spotify is offering for ads, joining On Repeat and Discover Weekly as avenues for potential brand sponsorships. Disney+ is the first partner for Release Radar in the US. It's promoting the Billie Eilish film Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles. 

Free users of the service will see ads in audio, video, and graphics and direct them to the playlist. Once there, logos will appear on the playlist art and messages from the sponsor at each ad break. Spotify is opening this opportunity to all companies interested in this kind of sponsorship. The company is making this playlist available for advertising in 31 markets around the world.

Source: Engadget