Pocket Casts Playlists Transform Podcast Listening Experience

Automattic’s podcast app, Pocket Casts, has launched a new playlist feature. This allows users to manually or automatically curate their favorite episodes. The update aims to personalize listening and grow its paid subscriber base.The feature helps users organize episodes for commutes or deep dives into topics. It is part of a broader strategy to compete with giants like Spotify, which has a much larger user base. According to TechCrunch, the app currently has 60,000 subscribers.

How to Build Your Perfect Podcast Playlist

Creating a manual playlist is straightforward. On mobile, users tap the Playlists tab and hit the “+” icon. On the web, they select “New playlist” to begin browsing and adding episodes.For a hands-off approach, Smart Playlists use custom rules. Users can filter for episodes under 25 minutes or only unplayed content. This automation is ideal for busy listeners who want to maximize their time.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Market

This launch follows the recent decision to make Pocket Casts’ web player free. The company is clearly positioning itself against platforms that lock features behind paywalls. It highlights a focus on accessibility to attract new users.For the podcast industry, this move emphasizes user customization. Listeners now have more control over their audio content flow. This could pressure other apps to offer similar flexible, user-driven features.

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The new Pocket Casts playlists offer a significant upgrade in content personalization. This feature directly challenges the dominance of larger, walled-garden platforms. It represents a key shift towards user-controlled podcast listening.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Is the Pocket Casts playlist feature free to use?

Yes, the playlist feature is available to all users. This includes both manual creation and Smart Playlists. The feature is part of the app’s free tier.

Q2: On which platforms are playlists available?

The feature is live on the web and desktop apps. It is rolling out now for Android users. An iOS version is expected to launch soon.

Q3: How do Smart Playlists work?

Smart Playlets use custom rules to auto-populate with episodes. You can set filters for duration, play status, or download status. The app then builds and updates the playlist for you automatically.

Q4: What is the main goal behind this new feature?

The goal is to enhance user personalization and grow the paid subscriber base. It makes the app more competitive against larger services. This improves the overall value for listeners.

Q5: How many subscribers does Pocket Casts have?

According to reports, Pocket Casts currently has 60,000 subscribers. This compares to Spotify’s 281 million premium subscribers. The gap highlights the competitive nature of the market.