YouTube remains the leading platform in the podcasting space, posing significant competition to Spotify and Apple Podcasts. According to a recent announcement made on Wednesday, the platform has now surpassed 1 billion monthly active users who engage with podcasts. 

This achievement underscores YouTube’s widespread popularity within the podcasting industry and highlights the growing consumer preference for video-first formats. Notably, last year YouTube reported that users watched over 400 million hours of podcast content on living room TVs, demonstrating a significant shift in viewing habits.

In response to YouTube’s dominance, its main competitor, Spotify, has been adapting its strategy to incorporate more video content in an effort to attract both hosts and users. As part of this strategy, Spotify has begun paying popular video podcast hosts since November 2024, based on the performance of their video content. This move could potentially help Spotify gain ground on YouTube, which already distributes billions of dollars in ad revenue among its creators.

Moreover, YouTube has announced plans to introduce changes to mid-roll ads, aiming to enhance the overall viewing experience while potentially increasing revenue for creators. Starting May 12, the platform will strategically place mid-roll ads at natural break points in videos, such as during pauses or transitions, rather than inserting them mid-conversation or mid-action, thereby reducing disruptions.