Why are some audiobooks locked and others not?

[#1]

I pay for a premium subscription. I’ve been able to listen to books since the new update. But recently I tried to listen to ‘A gathering of shadows’ and it was locked. I was confused because the only thing it said was “You can't buy audiobooks in the app, but titles you've already purchased through Spotify can be listened to here.”

So why is this the case with this book but not the rest of the books from the same series.

[Maria]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out on the Community!

The titles that are included in the monthly listening time available for Premium users may vary from time-to-time. As a result, the titles in our audiobooks subscriber catalog may not be the same as those available for purchase on Spotify. 

Right now, audiobooks that's available for purchase on Spotify can only be purchased in the Web Player - this might be why you're seeing that message in the app. However, you can listen to them in the app once you’ve unlocked a title in the Web Player. Feel free to have a look at this page for more info on how to purchase audiobooks.

Hope this clear things up! If anything else appears, we're just a post away.

[Lediram]

I’m having the same problem with one specific book. Did you ever find out why?

[User2200]

My friend and I both have a subscription. A specific audiobook we are getting to listen to shows as included in premium for her but not for me. Could it be because I have a student subscription and she doesn't?

[Susan_GP]

Hi there folks, 

Some Premium plans include hours of listening time per month from our audiobooks subscriber catalog. However, Premium Student is not one of them. Additionally, only Premium for Family and Premium Duo Owners include listening time, while the members of these plans don't have this feature.

We’ll be exploring ways for Family/Duo members and Premium Student subscribers to have more flexibility from their audiobook access in the future. 

On another note, as @Maria mentioned, the titles available in our subscriber catalog and those available for purchase may vary. As a result, some titles may not be available for purchase with a one-time payment.

You can find out more about Audiobooks in Premium plans here, and Audiobooks purchases here.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions or need anything else, the Community is here for you.

[Lediram]

As account owner, I often enjoy using my monthly alotted 10 of listening to audiobooks. But my original question had to do with how to know which books are available for listening. Up until I tried to listen to ‘The Women’, every other book I checked on was available. That was the first book I had encountered that had a lock symbol and was not available when I tried to listen to it.

[Susan_GP]

Hi there @Lediram,

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Audiobooks included in the subscriber catalog are labeled as 'Included in Premium/your plan'. If you don't see that label, it means you're not able to access it as part of your subscription.

If they're not included and you want to listen to them, you can purchase them by following the steps in the links sent in our previous reply.

Cheers!

[Lediram]

Thanks. Are they newer books that aren’t included?

[MihailY]

Hey @Lediram,

Thanks for your reply.

We can't say there are any specific factors affecting the availability of a book as part of your Premium plan.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

[pegster1128]

PlanPremium

Free/Premium

Country

DeviceiPhone

(iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy 9, Macbook Pro late 2016)

Operating System

(iOS 10, Android Oreo, Windows 10,etc.)

My Question or Issue. I am the account manager and the first of everymonth I select and download my free audiobook.  I did so this morning and the book is "locked".  What's the issue?

[#11]

Does anyone know why only part one of Acowar is blocked??? I have access to part 2 and 3 but not one??

[SunshineSprout]

I've been listening to the graphic audio version of Acotar and I'm now on ACOWAR but part 1 is locked. Parts 2 and 3 are included in my plan as premium but part 1 is locked and wants me to pay $16.99 - anyone idea why?

I've included a screenshot so you can see what I mean. 

[Englishfreckle]

Hi I’m another one having an issue accessing part one of acowar but 2 and 3 are fine!

[1153436047]

I’m having the same issue! SO annoying! 

[MariahB016]

I am also having this issue with ACOWAR! Seems weird that parts 2 &3 are available but not part 1.

[Midnightmiss]

Plan

Premium

Country

Usa

Device

 Android A14

I am a premium user. Have been for years. Recently I've started using spotify to listen to audiobooks.

I had an audiobook on watch for when it came out. It says that the novel is included in premium subscriptions, which I have, yet when I try to listen to it, it says I must go purchase the title. 

[matikiriwap]

The best