YouTube has introduced a suite of new tools designed to make podcast creation and discovery easier on its platform, reinforcing its ambition to become a leading destination for podcasters. The updates were announced at the just concluded “Made on YouTube” event in New York.
The enhancements are aimed at reducing editing time, helping creators promote content through short-form videos, and enabling audio-first podcasters to expand into video without significant production resources.
One of the key features is AI-assisted clipping, which will soon be available to creators in the United States. The tool automatically generates suggested clips from long-form video podcasts, allowing them to be repurposed as YouTube Shorts. The feature, scheduled to roll out early next year, reflects YouTube’s push to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels, where short-form video dominates user engagement.
Another update, expected in early 2026, will allow audio-only podcasters to produce video versions of their shows. By using AI-generated customised visuals, creators without access to video production tools will be able to upload competitive podcast content to YouTube. Initially, the feature will be offered to a limited group of podcasters, with broader access to follow later in the year.
YouTube described the developments as part of its strategy to make podcasts a central element of its ecosystem. The platform reported that users now stream over 100 million hours of podcasts each day, with more than 30 percent of that time starting as livestreams or premieres. Earlier in 2025, YouTube said it had surpassed one billion monthly podcast viewers, cementing its dominance in a sector where Spotify and Apple are also competing for market share.
“YouTube has been more focused on building out tools for podcasters over the past several years, making pods a more prominent feature on YouTube’s home page and its YouTube Music service alike,” the company said during the event.
The latest announcements highlight YouTube’s reliance on AI to break down production barriers, strengthen podcast discovery through Shorts, and retain creators within its ecosystem while intensifying competition with TikTok’s recommendation-driven model and Spotify’s creator-focused innovations.
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