Understanding Spotify for Creators Ads monetization

An update on the Ads beta program

The Spotify Partner Program will replace the existing invite-only Ads beta program, giving you new ways to earn beyond ads.

If you’re currently using the Ads beta program, you will receive a notification to join the Spotify Partner Program. You will have until October 19th, 2026 to decide if you would like to join the Spotify Partner Program, which will replace the Ads beta program.

To join the Spotify Partner Program, head to the Monetize tab in Spotify for Creators, where you’ll need to accept the new terms and complete tax certification.

If you don’t join the Spotify Partner Program by October 19th, 2026, your access to monetization through the Ads beta program will be terminated. Any earnings accrued prior to the termination of your access will be paid out as usual. This means that if you wish to later join the Spotify Partner Program, you will need to reapply and we reassess your show against our eligibility and other criteria.

If you move to the Spotify Partner Program, you can still get ads support from Spotify, but now with an additional new revenue stream: Premium video revenue.

Participation in the Spotify Partner Program also grants you access to sell and manage your own sponsorships for each video episode, in addition to ads monetized by Spotify. Manage these native sponsorships alongside targeted ad campaigns monetized by Spotify, access detailed reporting, and keep earning across your back catalog by swapping outdated ads for fresh ones in older episodes.

Overview

Spotify for Creators’ Ads is an invite-only program where voice-talent-read ads are selected and inserted into your episodes.

It's powered by the Spotify Audience Network, Spotify’s audio-first ad marketplace where advertisers of all sizes can connect with listeners across a wide range of shows.

Eligibility

You can apply if you have a legal address in one of these countries and you've been invited by a local Spotify representative:

• Brazil
• Italy
• Mexico
• Spain

A few important notes about applying for Ads:

• You need to accept the Spotify for Creators Ads Terms when you apply
• Your show will go through a review process
• Your show needs to comply with our Monetization Policies

Note: If you’re not in a supported country and haven't been invited, you won't see Ads in your Monetize tab.

Learn more about other ways to monetizate your show with Spotify for Creators

Stay active to keep making money

To stay eligible for ad monetization, your show must:

• Continue to have a legal address in one of our supported countries
• Publish at least 1 episode every 6 months
• Earn at least $10 every 6 months (so you receive a payout at least every 6 months)

If your show becomes ineligible, we may remove it from the Ads program.

Inserting ad breaks

Learn how to insert ad breaks in your episodes

Viewing ad performance

Go to your Analytics page in Spotify for Creators and click Ads to see your impressions and estimated earnings.

Excluding ad categories

Ads are subject to Spotify's Ad Guidelines.

You can't choose the exact ads that play in your episodes, but you can exclude certain categories of ads:

1. Go to Monetize then Ads.
2. Click Exclude categories.
3. Select the categories of ads you don't want to run on your episodes.

Below are examples of top-level ad categories that you can exclude. Categories available for exclusion are subject to change.

• Ad categories you can exclude

  • Automotive
  • Beauty and Grooming
  • Beauty Services
  • Business to Business
  • Careers and Employment
  • Clothing and Fashion
  • Collectables and Antiques
  • Education and Training
  • Energy, Oil, and Gas
  • Events and Attractions
  • Family and Parenting
  • Finance and Insurance
  • Fitness and Recreation
  • Food and Beverage Services
  • Food and Drink
  • Gambling
  • Government and Non-Profit
  • Home and Garden Products
  • Home and Garden Services
  • Legal Services
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Medicine and Pharmaceuticals
  • Other
  • Pets
  • Politics and Elections
  • Real Estate
  • Relationships and Life Events
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Retailers
  • Sensitive Other
  • Shipping and Storage
  • Technology
  • Telecommunications
  • Travel

You can find more sub-categories in your Spotify for Creators account.

Note: Excluding categories can reduce your earnings, since it limits which ads can run on your show.

Getting paid from ads

Set up Spotify Payouts to receive your ads earnings.

We calculate your earnings monthly and pay you within 30 days after the month ends. For example, earnings from September are paid out by the end of October.

You’ll also get an email with your impressions and total earnings.

Pausing and resuming ads

To stop ads:

1. Go to Monetize then Ads.
2. Click Pause ads.

This removes ads from episodes with ad breaks. It can take up to 10 business days to update on all platforms.

You can come back to resume your ads again at any time.