YouTube to expand podcast feature and enhance creator tools with AI

YouTube is also leveraging AI for content creation and consumption [File]
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

As YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary, the platform has revealed ambitious plans to solidify its position as a cultural hub, with a particular focus on podcasts, creator tools, and global expansion, including updates tailored for India.

With TV now the primary device for YouTube viewing in the U.S., the platform is doubling down on innovative features and formats to redefine entertainment and content consumption worldwide.

The Alphabet-owned company has emerged as the most frequently used service for podcast listening in the U.S., and the platform plans to build on this momentum by rolling out new tools to support podcasters and improve monetisation for creators. The integration of video into podcasts seems to have worked well for the platform.

“One of the most relevant formats driving culture – podcasts – is thriving on YouTube,” CEO Neal Mohan said in a blog post. “We’ve long invested in the podcast experience, and creators have found that video makes this format even more compelling. This year, we’ll roll out more tools to support podcasters, improve monetisation for creators, and make it even easier to discover podcasts.”

While the blog does not explicitly mention India-specific updates for podcasts, YouTube’s global strategy suggests that the platform is likely to expand its podcast offerings in key markets, including India, where podcast consumption is rapidly growing.

YouTube is also leveraging AI for content creation and consumption. Auto dubbing, which translates videos into multiple languages, is set to be made available to all creators in the YouTube Partner Programme.

“For videos with dubbed audio, more than 40% of the total watch time comes from viewers choosing to listen in a dubbed language,” Mr. Mohan noted in the blog. “We’ll soon make auto dubbing available for all creators in the YouTube Partner Programme and expand to more languages throughout the year.”