What's happened
As of May 16, 2025, YouTube's new podcast ranking feature reveals 'The Joe Rogan Experience' as the top podcast, followed by 'Kill Tony.' This shift highlights YouTube's growing dominance in the podcasting space, surpassing Spotify and Apple Podcasts in audience engagement.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- YouTube's Ascendancy: YouTube's new ranking system positions it as the leading platform for podcast consumption, with over one billion monthly active views. This shift indicates a significant change in how audiences engage with podcasts, favoring video content.
- Impact on Creators: The ranking system may favor established podcasts, potentially sidelining smaller shows. Critics argue this could limit exposure for niche creators, raising concerns about diversity in podcasting.
- Spotify's Response: Spotify's recent adjustments to its play count feature reflect a broader trend towards transparency in podcast metrics. However, the platform's approach may still disadvantage smaller creators compared to YouTube's model.
- Cultural Relevance: The success of podcasts like 'Kill Tony' and 'MeidasTouch' underscores a growing appetite for content that resonates with current cultural and political sentiments, particularly anti-woke comedy.
- Future Implications: As platforms compete for advertising revenue, the rise of video podcasts will likely continue to shape the landscape, influencing how content is created and consumed in the future.
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, YouTube's new podcast rankings reveal 'Kill Tony' at No. 2, showcasing its unexpected popularity despite previous controversies surrounding host Tony Hinchcliffe. The NY Post highlights that YouTube has surpassed Spotify and Apple Podcasts in podcast consumption, with over one billion monthly views. Meanwhile, TechCrunch notes Spotify's recent changes to its play count feature, which now only displays counts for shows with at least 50,000 plays, indicating a shift towards more transparent metrics. This evolving landscape suggests that while YouTube is gaining traction, concerns remain about the accessibility of the podcasting space for smaller creators.
How we got here
YouTube recently launched a ranking system for podcasts based on total watch time, reflecting its increasing influence in the podcasting industry. This comes amid Spotify's attempts to enhance its own podcast metrics, which faced criticism from creators.
Go deeper
- What are the implications for smaller podcasts?
- How will Spotify respond to YouTube's dominance?
- What trends are emerging in podcast content?
Common question
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How is YouTube Changing the Podcast Landscape?
YouTube's recent rise in the podcasting world is reshaping how audiences consume audio content. With its new podcast ranking feature, YouTube is not only competing with established platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts but is also setting new standards for engagement and accessibility. This shift raises questions about the future of podcasting and how creators can adapt to this evolving landscape.
More on these topics
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YouTube is an American online video-sharing platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. Three former PayPal employees—Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim—created the service in February 2005.
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Spotify is a Swedish music streaming and media services provider. It is operated by Spotify AB, which is publicly traded in the NYSE through Luxembourg-domiciled holding company Spotify Technology S.A., itself a constituent of the Russell 1000 Index.