YouTube Premium rolls out AI recommendation tool and Auto speed for podcast listeners

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

YouTube announced on Thursday it's introducing new podcast features for Premium users, including an AI-powered recommendation tool, an "Auto speed" setting, and a new on-the-go listening mode. The update signals YouTube's ongoing efforts to compete with other platforms for podcast audiences, especially as streaming giant Netflix is investing heavily in video podcasts. Additionally, by focusing on personalized discovery and hands-free listening features, the company also appears to be targeting users who consume podcasts on audio-first apps like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The Google-owned platform's "Ask Music" feature already lets Premium users generate personalized radio stations and playlists, and now users will be able to get podcast recommendations based on genres, their current mood, or shows they already enjoy. Users will also get access to a new "Auto speed" feature designed to make listening more efficient by intelligently adjusting playback speed during slower speech or information-dense segments, creating a more streamlined experience without sacrificing comprehension. While you can already adjust your playback speed, it can be inconsistent if the hosts are speaking at different speeds or changing their tone. With this new feature, listeners will be able to listen to content at a speed that addresses these changes throughout the conversation. The new on-the-go mode gives Premium users access to listener-friendly controls designed for activities like running, commuting, or multitasking. Users will get access to quick controls like skipping forward or backward, or jumping to the next episode. YouTube says the feature is designed to make it easier to get the most out of background playback. Auto speed and on-the-go mode are now available for Premium users on Android and are coming to iOS in the coming months. YouTube says Premium users watched over 800 million hours of podcasts in April 2026, and that YouTube Podcasts has over 1 billion monthly active users. With these new features, the company is looking to both retain and grow these numbers.

YouTube has three new big podcast features, but they're all paywalled

Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism and Mass Media graduate who joined the Android Police team in April 2024, after serving as a full-time News Writer at Canadian publication MobileSyrup. Prior to joining Android Police, Oberoi worked on feature stories, reviews, evergreen articles, and focused on 'how-to' resources. Additionally, he informed readers about the latest deals and discounts with quick hit pieces and buyer's guides for all occasions. Oberoi lives in Toronto, Canada. When not working on a new story, he likes to hit the gym, play soccer (although he keeps calling it football for some reason🤔) and try out new restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area. YouTube isn't the first platform that you'd think of when hearing the word 'Podcasts,' but that doesn't mean the content category isn't successfully proliferating on the platform. Unlock Personalized Content & Exclusive Features For Free * Engage in discussions in Threads * Follow and Like top authors, topics, and trends * Browse with fewer ads across the site * Personalize your profile to showcase your activity * Get a content feed tailored to your interests By creating an account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive our newsletters; you can unsubscribe any time. Keep Reading Log In Forgot your password? Create an account Please provide your email address to finish creating your account. Create An Account *Required: 8 chars, 1 capital letter, 1 number Create An Account Continue withGoogle Continue withOpenPass or Continue withEmail Continue By creating an account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive our newsletters; you can unsubscribe any time. Move over Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube just hit a major podcast milestone Video killed the radio star Posts By Dylan R. Coyle The streaming giant has previously promised to improve the YouTube podcast experience, and it's doing just that now. In a new blog post, the company shared that in April 2026 alone, YouTube Premium users watched over 800 million hours of podcasts. To support such watch time, the platform offers features like background play, Jump ahead, and faster playback speeds. Now, to further elevate the overall YouTube Premium podcast experience, the platform is rolling out three new features. On-the-go mode The new mode will give Premium users access to "listener-friendly controls" when they're out and about. So, for example, if you're going for a run or are on your commute, you'll have quick access to controls like skip forward and back. Auto speed Aimed at giving you a more streamlined and uniform listening experience, auto speed, as its name suggests, adjusts the podcast's playback speed during relevant moments, So, for example, the feature can trigger during segments of slower-than-normal speech. Alternatively, it can slow things down during information-dense segments. You'll still have the option to manually adjust playback speed. Ask Music, but for podcasts For reference, YouTube's Ask Music feature already lets Premium users generate personalized radio or playlists. The same AI tool will now be able to generate podcast recommendations based on genres, "your current mood, or shows you already love," ensuring that you never run out of content worth listening to. Auto speed, on-the-go mode, and Ask Music for podcasts are all limited to YouTube Premium users only.