Spotify Wants to Take on YouTube in Podcasts: How the Platforms Compare
As someone who closely follows podcast trends, I’ve noticed a big change in the competition between Spotify and YouTube. Spotify, famous for streaming music and audio, is now aiming to challenge YouTube in video podcasts. But how do these two platforms compare?
Spotify’s Big Move into Video Podcasts
In November 2024, Spotify announced that it would start paying podcasters who create popular video content. This step is part of Spotify’s effort to attract creators who currently focus on YouTube. Starting January 2025, Spotify will also offer premium subscribers in countries like the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada ad-free access to video podcasts. This means no interruptions while watching your favorite creators.
This move is smart because Spotify sees a growing trend—more people are watching podcasts on YouTube. A survey from April 2024 revealed that 31% of podcast listeners preferred YouTube, while only 21% chose Spotify and 12% used Apple Podcasts.
Why Spotify Is Betting Big on Video?
Spotify’s approach is clear. The company is offering creators the chance to earn more money than they could on YouTube. It’s also using its strong recommendation system to help users find video podcasts easily. Spotify believes these changes, along with its no-ad video option, will attract more users.
YouTube’s Strong Position in Podcasts
YouTube, however, remains a tough competitor. With its massive audience and established ad-sharing program, it’s still the go-to platform for many creators. YouTube allows creators to earn money by sharing ad revenue, making it an attractive choice.
This strong creator support has helped YouTube stay on top. Currently, YouTube is the most-used platform for podcast listeners in the U.S., with 31% of people choosing it over Spotify.
Video Podcasts Are Changing the Industry
The rise of video podcasts isn’t just about Spotify and YouTube. Other companies, like NPR and Vox Media, are also shifting to video formats. In 2024, many podcast producers started using YouTube to reach more viewers.
In countries like Spain, video podcasting has grown a lot. Over the past year, podcast listening rose by 30%, and video podcast viewing increased by 70%. This shows how video is becoming a key part of the podcasting world.
What Spotify Is Offering Creators?
To compete with YouTube, Spotify is giving creators new tools. Podcasters can now earn money through subscriptions and ads, as long as they meet specific conditions. Spotify hopes these features will convince more creators to switch from YouTube.
The Future of Podcasting
It’s clear that podcasts are changing. Spotify’s focus on video shows that they see it as the future of the medium. But will it be enough to challenge YouTube?
For Spotify to succeed, it needs to offer more than just money. It must understand what creators and listeners want. As someone who loves podcasts, I’m excited to see how this competition plays out.
Both platforms are pushing each other to improve, which will only benefit creators and listeners in the long run. The podcasting space has never been more exciting than it is now.
