YouTube Music Introduces Podcasts to US Users
The platform aims to compete with Spotify with the new update.
YouTube Music has rolled out a new update that introduces podcasts to its platform, available for users in the United States. With this update, users can listen to on-demand, offline streams that support background listening without the need for a Premium subscription.
The announcement comes after YouTube Music first revealed plans to integrate podcasts into the platform at Hot Pod Summit in February 2023. Since then, the company has been working to roll out the update gradually to users.
Dedicated Podcast Tab
Users can now find a dedicated podcast tab in the YouTube Music app, where they can browse through shows that were previously only available on the main YouTube app. The podcast tab makes it easier for users to access their favorite shows and discover new ones.
Audio and Video Versions
Another feature that YouTube Music offers is the ability to swap between the audio and video versions of a podcast while using the app. This added feature makes it more convenient for users to switch between watching and listening, depending on their preferences.
Competition with Spotify
YouTube Music’s decision to integrate podcasts into the platform aims to compete with Spotify, which just announced reaching 500 million monthly active users. YouTube reported having around 80 million Music and Premium subscribers in November 2022.
Future Rollout
Currently, podcasts on YouTube Music are exclusively accessible to users located within the United States. However, YouTube has plans to bring the feature to other countries in the future. The podcast feature can be accessed on the YouTube Music app across iOS, Android, and web.
Conclusion
The integration of podcasts into YouTube Music’s platform is a significant move towards providing users with more content options. With the new feature, users can easily access podcasts, giving them the freedom to listen to their favorite shows anywhere, anytime. Additionally, the update enables YouTube Music to compete better with its rivals, such as Spotify, in the music streaming market.
