YouTube adds AI, auto‑speed and hands‑free podcast features

YouTube has introduced three new features for its Premium subscribers designed to enhance the podcast listening experience on its platform. The update, announced on Thursday, includes an AI-powered recommendation tool, an automatic playback speed adjustment, and a new hands-free listening mode.

The new features are seen as a competitive move in a market where platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Netflix are investing heavily in audio and video podcast content. YouTube has become a major destination for podcast consumption, with the company reporting its podcast content attracts over one billion monthly active viewers. In April 2026 alone, Premium users watched over 800 million hours of podcasts on the platform.

The first addition, called "On-the-go mode," is designed for mobile listening during activities like running or commuting. It switches the interface to an audio-friendly layout with a static image and simplified playback controls, such as buttons to skip forward or backward. This feature is currently available on Android devices and is scheduled to roll out to iOS in the coming months.

A second feature, "Auto speed," automatically adjusts a podcast's playback speed...