YouTube adds new podcast features, including an AI recommendation tool and ‘Auto speed’

YouTube announced connected Thursday it’s introducing caller podcast features for Premium users, including an AI-powered proposal tool, an “Auto speed” setting, and a caller on-the-go listening mode.

The update signals YouTube’s ongoing efforts to vie with different platforms for podcast audiences, particularly arsenic streaming elephantine Netflix is investing heavy successful video podcasts. Additionally, by focusing connected personalized find and hands-free listening features, the institution besides appears to beryllium targeting users who devour podcasts connected audio-first apps similar Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The Google-owned platform’s “Ask Music” diagnostic already lets Premium users make personalized vigor stations and playlists, and present users volition beryllium capable to get podcast recommendations based connected genres, their existent mood, oregon shows they already enjoy.

Users volition besides get entree to a caller “Auto speed” diagnostic designed to marque listening much businesslike by intelligently adjusting playback velocity during slower code oregon information-dense segments, creating a much streamlined acquisition without sacrificing comprehension.

While you tin already set your playback speed, it tin beryllium inconsistent if the hosts are speaking astatine antithetic speeds oregon changing their tone. With this caller feature, listeners volition beryllium capable to perceive to contented astatine a velocity that addresses these changes passim the conversation.

Image Credits:YouTube

The caller on-the-go mode gives Premium users entree to listener-friendly controls designed for activities similar running, commuting, oregon multitasking. Users volition get entree to speedy controls similar skipping guardant oregon backward, oregon jumping to the adjacent episode. YouTube says the diagnostic is designed to marque it easier to get the astir retired of inheritance playback.

Auto velocity and on-the-go mode are present disposable for Premium users connected Android and are coming to iOS successful the coming months.

YouTube says Premium users watched implicit 800 cardinal hours of podcasts successful April 2026, and that YouTube Podcasts has implicit 1 cardinal monthly progressive users. With these caller features, the institution is looking to some clasp and turn these numbers.