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How to start a podcast on YouTube

Learn how to start a podcast on YouTube with this step-by-step guide.

Alec Chillingworth

• 7 min read
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TL;DR: YouTube Studio helps you create podcasts in bite-sized, user-friendly steps. You can upload existing podcast content with an RSS feed, publish new content, or turn existing videos into YouTube podcasts. The potential reach and monetization options are arguably greater than what’s available for audio-first podcasts, given YouTube’s accessibility and size.

We’ll cover: 

What is a YouTube podcast?

A YouTube podcast is a podcast distributed on YouTube, often with a notable visual element. This can cover everything from simple, static-image visualizers to full-scale productions with massive budgets.

Popular YouTube podcasts usually take place in a studio setting, but can also feature animation, remote interviews, archival footage, and more. They can be found both on YouTube and YouTube Music, making them highly discoverable.

YouTube Studio has a dedicated podcast section. Videos featured here receive a special podcast badge, are eligible for official search cards, and can be shown on YouTube’s Podcasts page. We’ll run through how to use YouTube Studio for podcasts in a few moments.

Two friends hanging out in the forest

Why do people watch YouTube podcasts?

Video podcasts are on the rise. According to video podcast company Sweet Fish, 61% of the top-ranking Overall- and Business-category podcasts regularly publish video content. Moreover, research company YouGov found that 71% of people say video makes podcasts more engaging or richer.

And it’s hard to argue. Just seeing someone’s face, pairing their gestures with the audio, can give footage so much more context.

Take something like Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, which does what you’d expect: a few people sit down and read some wild Reddit stories. It lends itself naturally to the podcast format, but the video aspect and reactions provide the cherry on top.

Podcasts are naturally long-form pieces of content, but YouTube gives them more ways to engage viewers. Creators and brands can repackage podcast highlights on YouTube Shorts, hitting an entirely new audience who may not be familiar with the full show.

This works a treat for pull quotes and spicy moments from interview-format podcasts, like The Diary of a CEO or The Joe Rogan Experience. It takes just one outrageous take, one controversial opinion, one nugget of knowledge, to pique a potential fan’s interest.

Does YouTube have a podcast app?

YouTube doesn’t have a dedicated podcast app. Viewers can watch via YouTube, or through the YouTube Music app.

Can you turn an audio-first podcast into a YouTube podcast?

YouTube podcasts clearly have huge appeal…but what if you’re sitting on a bank of high-quality, audio-first podcasts? There’s nothing stopping you from supplementing the audio with stock videos, archival footage, animation, and more — it can still look great.

You can also upload existing podcasts via an RSS feed. YouTube will then create videos for each of your podcast episodes, based on the artwork.

This approach is worth exploring if you have a ready-made catalog of audio-first podcasts you’d like to publish on YouTube. However, for more flexibility, it’s worth recording future podcasts with both audio and video.

Can you monetize YouTube podcasts?

You can monetize YouTube podcasts like you’d monetize regular YouTube content, as the same rules apply for music, commercial material, and content guidelines. As long as you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you’re good to go.

Learn more about YouTube monetization here, and click below to discover more than 50,000 world-class tracks that’ll bring your podcast content to life.

How many followers do you need to start a YouTube podcast?

You don’t need any followers to start a YouTube podcast. As with all content on the platform, you’ll have to follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines. If you plan to monetize your YouTube podcast, you’ll also need to stick to the platform’s monetization policies.

How to start a YouTube podcast: Your step-by-step guide

Before we start, let’s just clarify a couple of things. On YouTube, podcasts are categorized as playlists. Under these playlists are different videos, which are podcast episodes.

The steps below are specific to YouTube podcasts. If you’d like to read a more general beginner’s guide, check out our article on starting a podcast.

Here’s how to start your YouTube podcast journey.

  1. To create a new podcast, head to YouTube Studio and log in. Click the “Create” button in the top-right corner, then select “New podcast” from the drop-down menu. If you have an audio-first podcast you’d like to use, click “Submit RSS feed” and follow the instructions there instead.
  2. Fill out your podcast’s details. This includes the podcast’s name, description, visibility, default video order, and a thumbnail. You can add new and existing episodes at this stage, if you have any to hand.
  3. Click “Create” to save and create your podcast’s details. This saves the podcast to YouTube Studio’s “Content > Playlists” and “Content > Podcast” sections. Hover your mouse over your podcast’s name and click the “Videos” option.
  4. Add content to your podcast playlist. New content comes directly from your device as if you were creating a new video, while existing content comes from your channel.
  5. To turn an existing playlist into a podcast, head back to “Content > Playlists.” Find the playlist you’d like to turn into a podcast, click the three-dot menu, and choose “Set as podcast.” You’ll then go through the same process we covered in step 2.
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8 tips and tricks for YouTube podcasting

Now that we’ve covered what YouTube podcasts are, how they work, and how to start one, let’s finish with some tips and tricks.

These tips and tricks are specifically for YouTube podcasts. To learn more about video podcasts in general, including the best cameras and microphones, read our video podcast guide.

1. Consider the podcast order

If your podcast is episodic, sequence it from newest to oldest. A weekly news update show would make sense in this order, as the episodes would be self-contained, standalone pieces of content that rely on current affairs. 

However, a serialized podcast would benefit from oldest-to-newest order. This way, viewers will always start with the first episode — this works for limited series and narrative content, such as true crime.

You can rearrange your video podcasts’ order in a playlist at any time by dragging and dropping within the relevant playlist.

2. Create a public podcast playlist for each podcast on your channel

If you manage several podcasts, each playlist should only contain full-length episodes from one podcast, in the correct order. This makes it easier for new and existing fans to find all the episodes they want in one place.

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3. Include your podcast’s name in the playlist title

Avoid extra keywords or explainers like “a podcast,” unless it’s part of the podcast’s official name. Using the exact name makes it easier for your audience to find the podcast on YouTube. 

4. Keep the visuals consistent

If you include clips from other channels or podcasts, it could look scattered. Use the same thumbnail style/format wherever possible, to maintain a consistent, “branded” look. 

5. Write a strong, concise description

Don’t sell yourself short in your podcast’s description, but don’t go overboard. Explain what the podcast is and why it’s exciting in a line or two.

6. Use your YouTube podcast badge

Once your YouTube podcast is up and running, you’re ready to promote it with the YouTube podcast badge. Add the badge to your content, website, social channels, and print media.

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7. Review your podcast’s performance

If you want to dig into your podcast’s performance, head to the “Analytics” tab. A snapshot of your podcast’s performance will appear in the bottom-right corner, detailing views and watch time.

Click “See podcast analytics” for a full breakdown of metrics, including:

  • Views
  • Watch time
  • Impressions
  • Click-through rate
  • Traffic sources
  • Estimated revenue
  • How viewers find your YouTube podcast videos
  • Audience demographics
  • Revenue, if your YouTube podcast episodes are eligible for monetization

These statistics can help you understand what works, what you can improve, and more. YouTube Analytics stats are also viewable next to your podcast in the “Podcasts/Playlists” section.

8. Don’t forget the music

Video podcasts spotlight visuals, but they still need to be heard. Nail the perfect track, sound effect, and sting every time with Epidemic Sound.

Wrapping up on YouTube podcasts

YouTube podcasts are straightforward to set up, but it all relies on the delivery. Put your best foot forward with Epidemic Sound.

The catalog is packed with more than 50,000 Hollywood-grade tracks and 200,000 sound effects, catering to just about any mood you can imagine. It’s high-quality, affordable, and safe, removing the headache of licensing and freeing you up to do what you do best.

You’ll also gain unlimited access to advanced search functions, AI tools, and soundtracking features. Finding the right sound’s never been easier. 

It’s better than royalty-free. It’s worry-free. Get started with Epidemic Sound below.

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