Ads
Spotify for Podcasters ads is a program where voice-talent-read ads are selected and inserted into your episodes powered by the Spotify Audience Network.
Spotify Audience Network (SPAN) is Spotify’s proprietary audio-first advertising marketplace where global advertisers of all sizes can connect with listeners across a broad range of podcasts.
Eligibility
You can apply for ads if you're based in one of these markets:
- Australia
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- United States
Note: We determine your market based on the country your show owner's Spotify account is registered in. Only the show owner can apply for ads. Check your account country here
Your show needs to reach all of the following eligibility criteria before you can apply:
- A minimum of 12 episodes
- 10,000 global consumption hours over the last 30 days
- A Spotify audience of 2,000 users over the last 30 days
Go to your Monetize tab to check your eligibility for ads. Once you’re eligible, click Apply now to begin.
A few important notes about applying for ads:
- You need to accept the Spotify for Podcasters 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 an eligible market, you won't see ads in your Monetize tab.
Learn more about Spotify for Podcasters' monetization options to find other ways you can monetize your show if you’re not eligible for ads.
Stay active to keep making money
To focus our support on shows that are actively participating in the ads program, in order to remain eligible for ads monetization, your show needs to continue to reach all of the following eligibility criteria:
- An episode published at least every 6 months
- Earning at least $10 every 6 months (so you receive a payout at least every 6 months).
We may remove your show from ads monetization if it ceases to be eligible.
How ads work
You can insert ad breaks in your episodes in which ads may play. Ads may not always play for every listener, because they're subject to advertiser demand for your audience.
You can run other monetization tools alongside ads, such as podcast subscriptions.
Reasons ads might not play include:
- Spotify currently supports ad delivery through its desktop, iOS, and Android apps. If a listener is listening via other places (e.g, web player, smart speakers, car, or TV), ads won’t play.
- Spotify currently supports ad delivery when the listener’s device is connected to the internet. Listeners won’t hear ads on Spotify if they use the app in offline mode or disable the internet connection on their device.
- If your ad break is inserted in the first 10 seconds of an episode, it may not play. We suggest placing an ad break after the first 10 seconds of your episode.
Viewing impressions & estimated earnings
Head to your Analytics page in Spotify for Podcasters and click Ads to view your impressions and estimated earnings.
Check out our article on Ads analytics for more info.
Excluding categories of ads
Ads are subject to Spotify's Ad Guidelines. You can't select the exact ads that play in your episodes.
We provide tools to help support exclusions of certain categories of ads that may appear on your podcast:
- Go to the Ads section of your Monetize tab.
- Click Exclude categories.
- Select the categories of ads you don't want to run on your episodes.
Note: Excluding categories may result in a reduction of the revenue you could earn from ads, as it can reduce the overall number of available ads that can run on your episodes.
How you get paid with ads
Set up Spotify Payouts to receive your ads earnings.
Revenue is calculated for your previous month’s earnings and is paid out to you no later than 30 days after the month has ended. For example, this means for the month of September, you’ll get paid by the end of October.
You’ll receive an email that notifies you of your earnings, including impressions sold and how your earnings have accumulated.
Pausing ads
To stop ads, click Pause ads under Ads in your Monetize tab.
This will turn off ads in your episodes where there are ad breaks. It may take up to 10 business days to reflect on external platforms.
You can head back to unpause your ads again at any time.