How Much Do Spotify Ads Cost? Planning a Budget
Spotify Ads Manager campaigns start at 250 in local currency and are priced mostly per thousand impressions. What you pay depends on targeting, format, market and season. Plan by reach and frequency, not just total spend.
How much do Spotify Ads cost?
You set the budget, from a minimum of 250 in local currency in Ads Manager (Spotify on Ads Manager), and pay per thousand impressions. Narrow targeting, video and peak seasons cost more per thousand than broad audio campaigns. Spotify forecasts reach before launch, so you can see what the budget buys. Buying routes are in how Spotify Ads work.
Why plan by reach and frequency?
Audio works through repetition. A budget spread across too wide an audience reaches many people once, and few remember. A better plan reaches a smaller, well-chosen audience several times. Narrow the audience or extend the flight until the forecast frequency is a few exposures per listener.
| Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Budget | $3,000 |
| Assumed CPM (check your forecast) | $20 |
| Impressions | 150,000 |
| Target frequency | 3 |
| Listeners reached | About 50,000 |
| Flight | 6 weeks |
What drives Spotify costs?
| Driver | Effect |
|---|---|
| Targeting | Narrow, high-value audiences cost more per thousand |
| Format | Video usually costs more than audio |
| Market | Prices differ by country and city |
| Season | Holiday and back-to-school periods cost more |
| Buying route | Programmatic and direct deals price differently |
Targeting choices are in Spotify Ads targeting.
How should you judge the spend?
On the goal: reach and frequency for awareness, brand lift for recall, site visits and conversions for response. Compare cost per conversion with other channels only if you track it well; see Spotify Ads measurement.
Frequency before reach.
An ad heard once is forgotten. Make sure the people you reach hear it enough to remember.
How should you plan a first budget?
- Pick one market and one audience.
- Check the forecast at two budget levels.
- Aim for a few exposures per listener over the flight.
- Run for four to eight weeks.
- Measure lift and conversions, then decide to scale or stop.
The B2B approach is in Spotify Ads for B2B.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Spotify Ads cost?
Ads Manager campaigns start at 250 in local currency and are priced per thousand impressions, varying by targeting, format and market.
What is the minimum budget for Spotify Ads?
250 in your local currency for an Ads Manager campaign.
Are Spotify ads priced per click?
Mostly per thousand impressions, not per click.
How do I know what my budget will buy?
Ads Manager forecasts impressions and reach for your targeting and budget before launch.
How often should someone hear my ad?
A few times over the flight is a sensible planning target for recall.
Are video ads more expensive than audio?
Usually, per thousand impressions.
Sources & further reading
Ad platforms change quickly. These sources let you check the dated facts directly. Players shown are mock-ups for a fictional advertiser.