YouTube announced new features that improve the podcast experience for Premium subscribers. Innovations coming to the platform include on-the-road mode available on Android, Auto Speed, which automatically adjusts the content speed, and Ask Music support, which offers podcast recommendations within YouTube Music. YouTube Premium renews the podcast experience. YouTube announced its new features for Premium subscribers by sharing usage data on the podcast side.
According to the information provided by the company, YouTube Podcasts has more than 1 billion monthly active users. In April 2026, YouTube Premium users watched or listened to over 800 million hours of podcasts, including trial memberships. Premium subscribers were already able to use features such as background playback, Jump Ahead, and faster playback speeds for podcast content on YouTube. With the new update, the platform brings additional controls, especially for users who consume podcasts, chat programs, true crime series and long-format audio content.
The first of the new features is the on-the-go mode. This mode, which is available for Premium users on Android, will come to iOS in the coming months. On the Road mode provides easier access to listening controls while video is playing in the background. Users can access controls such as fast forwarding and rewinding more quickly while running, commuting to work, or doing another job at the same time. Another feature that came to YouTube Premium was Auto Speed.
This feature, offered for Premium users on Android, automatically adjusts the playback speed according to the flow of the content. The system allows the content to be consumed more efficiently by changing the speed in moments such as slower conversations or information-intensive sections. It has been announced that Auto Speed will come to iOS soon. On the YouTube Music side, Ask Music can now also be used for podcast recommendations.
YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium subscribers could create music playlists and personalized radios through Ask Music in supported countries. With the new update, users can also receive podcast recommendations based on genre, mood or their favorite programs. Ask Music’s podcast support works using natural language in the YouTube Music application. Users can describe the podcast they want to listen to, in written or audio form, based on a specific topic, genre or mood.
The system offers personalized program and section recommendations accordingly. Once suggestions are received, users can continue exploration with additional prompts, add suggested episodes to the Saved podcasts playlist, or save shows to the library. Ask Music is currently available to YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium members. The feature works on mobile devices and can be used by users whose application language is English or Spanish.
Supported countries include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico and Latin American countries excluding Brazil.
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