Parents are listening, too
Back to school may spotlight students, but parents are part of the soundtrack as well. Recent Spotify data shows that parents on our Free tier are increasingly streaming podcasts and audiobooks. And with in-car listening surging, many are sharing Spotify with their kids. These carpool co-listening moments—especially during busy school-year schedules—are another way families reset and reconnect.
What this means for brands
Back-to-school listening shows how Gen Z and their families use Spotify to shape daily habits and share meaningful moments. For marketers, the impact is clear. According to Nielsen, Kantar, and Foursquare data, brands that advertise on Spotify see stronger results than on other channels, including higher recall, more foot traffic, and greater purchase intent when audio and video formats are combined.
This season, brands have a chance to show up at the right time and help shape the soundtrack to Gen Z’s next chapter.
Discover more about how brands can connect with listeners through Spotify Advertising.
All data reflects Student Premium users on Spotify, from June-July 2024 compared to September 2024, unless otherwise specified.