Spotify is experimentally testing a new feature restricted to a single area, which consists of adding a fourth category of content to its already vast library of music, podcasts and audiobooks: online courses. Starting today, UK Spotify users will be able to access video lessons from BBC Maestro, Skillshare, Thinkific, and PlayVirtuoso directly from Spotify’s mobile and desktop apps.
It is an experiment that, at least for now, remains confined to the United Kingdom and there are still no guarantees of a wider and definitive release. The introduction of online courses, especially video-based ones, might seem like a bizarre choice for a service that is more recognized as a source of music and audio content such as podcasts and audiobooks, but it is actually part of a plan to expand the service that began some time ago.
According to The Verge, who also spoke with product director Mohit Jitani, the streaming service offers courses divided into four categories: music creation, creative development, corporate training, and wellness.
In Spotify’s mobile app, courses can be accessed from a new pill icon at the top of the home screen, as well as through the service’s search and navigation interfaces. Among the main advantages there is certainly the convenience of not having to download another app to enjoy these services, as well as the advantage of being encouraged to complete the courses.
Even in this testing phase, Spotify offers the courses with a freemium model, similar to the one used for the initial launch of audiobooks. Both free and premium subscribers will be able to access at least two video lessons per course for free, but they will have to pay a fee to access the entire course. A series of videos and in some cases may be accompanied by supplementary material such as PDFs.
As far as moderation is concerned, courses will have to comply with the rules of the Spotify platform, and the service will offer a reporting mechanism if a user encounters content in a course that they believe violates the rules of the service.
Recall that in mid-March Spotify introduced music videos in Italy and 10 other countries, but with a catalog that for now is quite limited. Spotify’s goal is therefore becoming quite clear, which is to dent YouTube’s dominance of this type of content.
