YouTube adds AI podcast recommendations and Auto speed for Premium users

In short: YouTube is rolling out new podcast listening features for YouTube Premium subscribers, including AI recommendations, Auto speed, and an on-the-go mode.

What happened

YouTube announced new podcast features aimed at people who listen while doing other things. The update is for YouTube Premium users, which is YouTube’s paid plan.

One new feature is an AI-powered recommendation tool. AI (software that tries to spot patterns, like a very fast suggestion engine) will recommend podcasts based on genres, your mood, or shows you already like. YouTube says this builds on its existing “Ask Music” feature, which already creates personalized playlists and radio-style stations.

YouTube is also adding “Auto speed,” which changes playback speed automatically during a podcast. The idea is to speed up slower parts and handle moments when hosts talk at different speeds. It is meant to make listening feel smoother without you constantly adjusting the speed yourself.

A third feature is an on-the-go listening mode with simpler controls for activities like commuting or running. It includes quick buttons to skip forward and back, or jump to the next episode.

Auto speed and on-the-go mode are available now for Premium users on Android. YouTube says they are coming to iOS in the next few months.

YouTube also shared podcast usage numbers. It says Premium users watched over 800 million hours of podcasts in April 2026, and that YouTube Podcasts has more than 1 billion monthly active users.

Why it matters

YouTube is trying to keep podcast listeners from switching to other apps like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and it is also responding to growing interest in video podcasts, including moves by Netflix. For everyday listeners, these changes could mean less time searching for new shows and fewer taps while listening in the background.

Source: TechCrunch AI