YouTube Music has officially launched podcasts in the United States on Android, iOS, and the web. The new feature will allow users to seamlessly switch between audio and video versions of the podcast and listen to them on-demand, offline, and in the background, as well as while casting. This move comes after Kai Chuk, YouTube’s head of podcasting, revealed that the platform would add podcasts to YouTube Music in the near future.
The company emphasized that this podcast listening experience is distinct from its music listening experience, which requires a Premium or Music Premium subscription to access some features. YouTube Music’s podcast feature, on the other hand, is accessible to all users, including those who don’t have a YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube Music has added a “Podcasts” tab to the Home tab, which directs users to a dedicated feed displaying their favorite podcasts and recommended episodes. However, not all listeners in the US may see the update immediately, as it will be gradually rolled out.
YouTube is not currently seeking exclusive deals with podcasters, unlike Spotify. Instead, YouTube seems focused on merging the experience of watching podcasts on video and listening to them on audio. The company is advising creators to upload a video with a static image or use dynamic video formats like audiograms if their podcast is audio-only. YouTube will also soon offer creators the option to upload their audio podcasts directly via RSS feeds to both YouTube and YouTube Music.
The addition of podcasts to YouTube Music comes as the company seeks to provide a more comprehensive listening experience for its users. While YouTube does not disclose the size of its music streaming business, YouTube Music reportedly had 32 million subscribers worldwide as of March 2021. YouTube’s focus on integrating podcasts into its platform could give the company an edge over other music streaming services.
