New YouTube Premium features podcast fans will love
YouTube Podcasts has over 1 billion monthly active users, and there are all-new ways to watch and listen.
May 28, 2026 [[read-time]] minute read
Podcasts on YouTube are a true global phenomenon. With more than 1 billion monthly active viewers, we know how important podcasts are to YouTube users everywhere. That's why we’re always working to make the podcast experience on YouTube as seamless as possible.
We also know that YouTube Music and Premium subscribers are podcast super-users. In April 2026, YouTube Premium users watched over 800 million hours of podcasts1. Premium subscribers already enjoy podcasts with features like background play, Jump ahead, and faster playback speeds. Today, we’re introducing new updates that elevate the overall YouTube Premium experience that we know podcast fans will especially love.
- On-the-go mode allows Premium users to enjoy listener-friendly controls while out and about – whether that’s going for a run, on your commute, or just multitasking. Now available for Premium users on Android and coming to iOS in the months ahead, on-the-go mode lets you get the most out of playing videos in the background with easier access to listening controls – like skip forward and back – in order to optimize how you listen to your favorite podcasts, talk shows, true crime series, and more.
- Auto speed enables Premium users to watch or listen to your favorite YouTube content more efficiently without having to sacrifice comprehension. Auto speed, available to Premium users on Android and coming to iOS soon, intelligently adjusts playback speed during relevant moments like slower speech or information-dense segments, giving you a more streamlined experience without missing a beat.
- Ask Music meets podcasts. Finding a new podcast can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, so we're making it easier. YouTube Music Premium and Premium subscribers in select countries already use Ask Music in the YouTube Music app to generate a personalized radio or playlists. Now you can also ask for podcast recommendations based on genres, your current mood, or shows you already love, and let Ask Music do the heavy lifting.
However you listen to or watch podcasts with Premium, we hope you dive in and discover even more of what you love on YouTube.
1. In April 2026, YouTube Premium users (including trials) watched over 800 million hours of podcasts. Source: YouTube Internal Data, Global, as of April 2026.