As reported by 9to5Google, YouTube’s podcast web page is now obtainable to a small subset of individuals, offering a full overview of podcast content material within the app

As you’ll be able to see on this instance, a lot of the listed podcasts, at current, hyperlink to YouTube accounts and movies of the identical, with audio variations obtainable for every, offering one other option to higher combine your YouTube and podcast content material method.

As per 9to5Google:

“Accessible on desktop internet and cellular, it’s very rudimentary at this level. There are carousels, which might be expanded by way of ‘Present all’, for ‘Widespread episodes’, ‘Widespread podcast playlists’, ‘Really useful’, and ‘Widespread podcast creators’. The remainder of this web page hyperlinks to varied classes: Comedy, True Crime, Sports activities, Music, and TV & Movie.”

YouTube has confirmed the take a look at, explaining that:

“The podcast vacation spot web page on YouTube helps customers discover new and standard podcast episodes, exhibits and Creators, in addition to suggest podcast content material. It’s at present obtainable within the US solely.”

So it’s nonetheless very restricted at current, however it’s the following step in YouTube’s podcast plans, which is able to finally present one other consideration for constructing your YouTube and podcast viewers.

YouTube’s transfer into podcasts was revealed earlier this 12 months, by way of a leaked pitch deck which supplied a fundamental overview of the platform’s plans to extra immediately incorporate podcasts into the YouTube expertise.

As famous, podcasters will finally be capable of feed their audio exhibits in by way of RSS, with YouTube providing audio advertisements, analytics, and extra to assist them showcase their audio choices.

In some methods, it appears unusual that the main video platform is transferring into audio as nicely, however with podcast listenership on the rise, and audio choices gaining reputation, there’s clear worth in YouTube incorporating podcasts as one other potential progress factor.

As highlighted within the above picture, many standard YouTubers now have their very own podcasts anyway, which they share to the platform by way of in-studio video clips, which basically signifies that YouTube already hosts loads of audio-focused content material both manner. On the identical time, YouTube has additionally made music a much bigger focus, with audio-only listening choices offering one other means to devour YouTube content material.

In late 2020, YouTube reported that music streaming had reached an all-time excessive, whereas YouTube Music itself now has greater than 77 million paying subscribers. So whereas visible parts stay central to the platform’s broader providing, there’s clearly important curiosity in audio-only content material as nicely, whereas YouTube additionally added audio solely advertisements again in 2020, as a part of its broader push to maximise YouTube Music.

On stability, the mixing of podcasts makes loads of sense, in offering extra methods for creators to solidify bonds with their viewers.

YouTube hasn’t supplied any additional particulars at this stage, however an official announcement is anticipated someday quickly.