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YouTube has announced a new set of Premium features designed to improve podcast listening and discovery across YouTube and YouTube Music. The latest update introduces On-the-Go Mode, Auto Speed, and expanded Ask Music support for podcasts, giving subscribers more control over playback while making it easier to discover new content.
The company says podcasts continue to be one of the fastest-growing content categories on the platform, with more than 1 billion monthly active viewers globally. According to YouTube, Premium users alone watched over 800 million hours of podcast content during April 2026.
The new features build on existing Premium benefits such as background play, Jump Ahead, offline downloads, and enhanced playback speed controls.
The new On-the-Go Mode is designed for users who listen while commuting, exercising, or multitasking throughout the day. The feature introduces a simplified interface optimized for audio-first consumption, offering quick access to controls such as skip forward and skip back while supporting uninterrupted playback of podcasts and long-form content in the background.
Auto Speed is another new addition aimed at improving listening efficiency. Instead of manually changing playback speeds, the feature automatically adjusts speed based on the content being played. It can slow down during information-dense sections and speed up during slower conversations, helping listeners consume content faster without sacrificing comprehension.
YouTube is also expanding Ask Music to podcasts. Previously limited to generating personalized radio stations and playlists within YouTube Music, the feature can now recommend podcast content based on a user’s interests, mood, preferred genres, or favorite shows. The company says this should make podcast discovery more personalized and less dependent on traditional search methods.
The rollout has already started for Android users, with iOS support arriving at a later date. Ask Music podcast recommendations are currently available for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers in select markets.
Availability
- On-the-Go Mode: Rolling out now on Android, iOS support coming later
- Auto Speed: Rolling out now on Android, iOS support coming later
- Ask Music for Podcasts: Available for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers in select countries
