Spotify is internally testing a new feature that allows Premium subscribers to skip ads within podcasts. The tool, called “Skip Ahead,” is already available in select markets and allows users to skip not only actual commercial breaks, but also intros, sponsored messages, and even paid subscriptions.
It works instantly: as soon as a commercial break begins, a “Skip Ahead” button appears on the screen. A single tap takes the listener back to the start of the next section after the ad ends. The button appears only during ads, promotions, or intros.
Spotify has not publicly disclosed the existence of this feature. Podnews discovered it, finding traces of the tool both in shows featuring ads from Spotify’s direct competitors in the podcast ad space, such as Acast, Audacy, and the New York Times, and in the platform’s own productions.