Why Podcast Listeners Are Now Opting For Only YouTube?

Posted on March 3, 2025 by James Martin

Podcasting has experienced unprecedented growth in the recent years with some of the largest platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts dominating the game. However, there has been a trend, albeit an unconventional one, wherein listeners are preferring YouTube over everything else to consume podcasts.

Why is this shift happening towards YouTube? Let us see what makes it happen:

1. Video Podcasting Is on the Rise
In contrast to other audio-only platforms, on YouTube, podcasters can integrate audio and video, making the content more interactive. Video podcasts offer:
✔️ Visual Connection – Viewers are able to witness the hosts’ reactions and smile, giving the discussion a more personal touch.
✔️ Multi-Format Experience – Users have the option to watch or simply listen while multitasking.
✔️ More Engagement – Users are able to comment, like, and share, generating a form of community for podcast episodes.

Consequently, it has become much more popular, and most artists now use it as their mainstream podcasting host.

2. Simple Accessibility – No Subscription Necessary
Another large benefit of using YouTube is the fact that it’s absolutely free and doesn’t need any particular subscriptions. Compared to services like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, where some superior content is exclusive behind a paid subscription, any podcast on YouTube can be listened to instantly without registering.

Such openness makes it more convenient for users who listen less frequently to come across and watch podcast episodes unrestricted.

3. YouTube’s Recommendation Algorithm
The recommendation algorithm on YouTube is largely responsible for making podcasts popular on the platform. The algorithm benefits:
✔️ Recommends suitable podcasts by users’ interest.
✔️ Retains listeners by playing similar content automatically.
✔️ Increases new podcasters’ discoverability.

In contrast to conventional podcast apps, where the user has to actively look for new content, YouTube makes it easy to find new podcasts.

4. Background Play & YouTube Premium
YouTube has enhanced its listening experience with features such as background play and YouTube Premium:
✔️ Background Play – Users can still listen to podcasts when the app is in the background, thus making it function similar to a conventional podcast app.
✔️ YouTube Premium – Ad-free listening and offline podcast downloads are available to subscribers.

This makes YouTube an easy choice for multitaskers who like listening.

5. Podcasts Are Easily Monetizable
YouTube provides more opportunities for podcasters to monetize their shows than other podcast platforms:
✔️ Ad Revenue – Podcasters get paid from YouTube ads based on views.
✔️ Super Chats & Memberships – Fans can support creators directly.
✔️ Sponsorships & Affiliate Marketing – Brands prefer to partner with YouTube podcasters because of the platform’s high interaction.

Having multiple revenue streams, most podcasters consider YouTube a more lucrative platform than audio-only platforms.

6. Improved Community Interaction
YouTube podcasts allow for direct interaction with listeners, which is not found on audio-only platforms. Users can:
✔️ Comment on episodes to post thoughts and feedback.
✔️ Share and like content, enabling creators to build their audience.
✔️ Participate in live podcasts, with live Q&A and discussions.

This community feeling makes YouTube podcasts more interactive and immersive than usual platforms.

7. Podcast Clips & Shorts Increase Reach
One of the key benefits of YouTube is that podcast episodes can be cut down into short clips. YouTube Shorts and clips enable podcasters:
✔️ Engage a broader audience who may not invest in a complete episode.
✔️ Go viral in no time with interesting bites.
✔️ Recruit new listeners who subsequently watch complete episodes.

This makes YouTube a formidable discovery feature that standard podcast apps cannot provide.

Final Thoughts
YouTube is revolutionizing the podcasting industry by offering video content, easy accessibility, strong recommendations, monetization options, and better engagement. As more listeners prefer watching and interacting with their favorite creators, it’s no surprise that YouTube is becoming the #1 choice for podcasts.

Whether you’re a podcaster or a listener, YouTube is shaping the future of podcasting in a way no other platform can.