Supporting an Open Podcasting Ecosystem
Podcasting was built on open standards, and we’re committed to keeping it that way. Our work this year focused on removing barriers so anyone can listen, share, and support creators without friction.
Free Listening on the Web
Problem: Our Web Player required a login and subscription before playback, creating friction for first-time visitors and limiting sharing.
Solution: We removed those requirements so anyone can instantly play any podcast in the Web Player. We also made cross-device syncing free, allowing listeners to start on one device and seamlessly continue on another.
More Relevant, Human-Centered Recommendations
Problem: Show discovery relied on browsing, curated lists, or manual search, offering variety but little personalization. This limited engagement and exposure to lesser-known shows.
Solution: We introduced Podroll recommendations, letting creators recommend shows they love, and added behavior-based suggestions like “Because you follow…” and “Loved by listeners of…,” powered by real listener activity. These features provide trusted, personalized recommendations that encourage exploration.
Direct Support for Creators
Opportunity: People want to support the creators they love
Solution: We added support for the Podcasting 2.0 Funding tag. When a show includes this in its RSS feed, a Funding ($) button appears on its page, linking directly to the creator’s preferred platform — Patreon, a personal site, or another service. In this way, contributions, in their entirety, go to podcast creators.
Explore a selection of shows with Funding enabled here, or look for the $ button in the Pocket Casts app on mobile or web.
Lowering Barriers for New Listeners
We looked for ways to reduce friction for new listeners, whether that meant trying Pocket Casts without downloading the app, or sharing the experience with friends.
Instant Access with App Clips
Opportunity: We saw a chance to reduce friction for first-time listeners by letting them listen to episodes and explore playback features without downloading the full app.
Solution: We introduced App Clips on iOS, allowing people to instantly try playback controls like Trim Silence, Volume Boost, and adjustable speed. This lightweight experience encourages exploration and creates a clear path to downloading the full app.
Referrals from Plus Members
Opportunity: Word of mouth is an effective way for people to discover Pocket Casts, but there was no in-app solution for loyal customers to share it with friends.
Solution: We launched a referral program that lets Pocket Casts Plus members gift two free months to friends, making it easier to introduce new listeners and grow our community.
Giving Listeners More Control
We’ve introduced smarter tools to help people organize, discover, and return to the content they care about.
Smart Folders for Easier Organization
Problem: Managing a large podcast library can become overwhelming as people follow more shows, requiring time-consuming manual organization.
Solution: We enhanced our folders feature with Smart Folders, which automatically group podcasts by theme when someone subscribes to eight or more shows. People can keep the suggested folders, edit them, or create their own.
Listen How You Like: Shuffle and Sort
Problem: Research revealed that listeners wanted more control over playback. Some preferred variety in their Up Next queue, while others wanted a quick way to return to recently played shows.
Solution: We added Shuffle to mix up episode order and Sort by Recently Played to let people quickly jump back into what they’ve just heard.
Read Along or Catch Up with Episode Transcripts
Opportunity: With over 2.5 million episodes adopting the Podcasting 2.0 transcript tag and strong customer requests, we saw a chance to make podcasts more accessible and searchable.
Solution: We introduced episode transcripts in the episode preview and player, allowing listeners to read along, search for key moments, or scan content when they can’t listen out loud.
Continuing to Improve the Podcasting Experience
Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to Pocket Casts, our goal is to keep the experience intuitive and enjoyable, and to keep refining it for the way you enjoy podcasts.
You can explore these updates in our Web Player or download the app on iOS and Android.
Automattic Design 