How to Start a Podcast on YouTube: YouTube Podcast Guide 2025
- Sam Hajighasem
- Nov 3
- 9 min read
If you're wondering how to start a podcast on YouTube, you’re in the right place. In 2025, YouTube is the most-used platform for podcast listening and discovery, backed by ~2.5B monthly users and tight integrations like Podcast Playlists, RSS ingestion, and surfacing in YouTube Music. This how-to podcasting guide shows you, step by step, how to plan, record, edit, and publish a video podcast (or audio-only “vodcast”) on YouTube, plus growth and SEO tactics that work now.
Why YouTube? Edison’s research shows that Gen Z prefers YouTube for podcasts over Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and broader studies show that ~31% of weekly podcast listeners use YouTube (vs ~21% on Spotify and ~12% on Apple Podcasts). YouTube’s recommendation system, Shorts, and comments make it a discovery engine and a community hub in one. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to create a podcast on YouTube from scratch or add your existing audio show using an RSS feed.
For a full pre-production checklist (concept, format, and launch planning) before you hit record, read Start and Plan a Podcast: Step-by-Step Guide for 2024
How to Start a Podcast on YouTube in 5 Steps (2025)
Step-by-step is the best way to launch your YouTube podcast. Follow this system to go from idea to published Podcast Playlist.
Step 1: Validate your concept and name
Brainstorm 10 episode ideas to test depth and fit. If you can’t list 10 strong topics, niche down.
Do market research in Apple Podcasts and YouTube: search your topic, identify gaps, formats, and angles you can own.
Naming rules: keep it clear, searchable, and specific. Avoid clever-but-unclear name puns. Front-load keywords (e.g., "Sales Playbook for Startups" vs. "The Funnel Chronicles").
Check availability: domain, social handles, Apple/Spotify name conflicts. Hold off on artwork until the concept and name are final.
Step 2: Choose your podcast format and cadence
Common formats for a YouTube show (video podcast):
Interviews: Host talks with subject-matter experts or creators.
Co-hosted talk show: Two hosts debate or analyze topics.
Educational/how-to: Tutorials, frameworks, live walkthroughs.
Narrative/informational: Solo deep dives with storytelling.
Data-backed benchmarks (typical episode length):
<10 min (14%), 10–20 (15%), 20–40 (31%), 40–60 (22%), >60 (7%).
Publishing frequency norms: 3–7 days (36%), 8–14 (39%), weekly recommended for consistency. Choose a realistic cadence you can sustain.
Pro tip: Write a simple outline for every episode (hook, 3–5 talking points, CTA). It reduces rambling and speeds editing.
Step 3: Build a starter podcast setup (gear that fits your budget)
Dynamic mics are generally better than condensers for the spoken word in untreated rooms. Here are practical kits:
1-person budget (~$70–$100): Samson Q2U (USB/XLR) + your existing headphones; use smartphone or webcam + small LED light.
2-person starter (~$350–$450): 2× Samson Q2U, 2× Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (if using XLR) or keep USB to skip an interface.
3–4 person portable (≈$960–$1,080): Q2U mics, AT M20x headphones, RODECaster Pro for on-board processing and multitrack. Budget mixer alternative: Zoom PodTrak P4 (~$150).
Accessories that matter: boom arm, shock mount, pop filter, tripod, soft LED lighting. For cameras, a good smartphone on a tripod works; frame at eye level with soft, even light.
Step 4: Record and edit (tools and workflow)
Recording platforms (remote + local options):
Riverside (local tracks, video-first; from ~$15/month)
SquadCast (remote recording; from ~$12/month)
Zoom (ubiquitous, but compressed; free–$18). Great for guests who won’t try new tools.
Editors:
Audacity (free), GarageBand (free on Mac), Descript (~$12+), Hindenburg (~$12). Workflow tips: edit content first (tighten story), fix noise second, use crossfades, add intro/outro with licensed music (Soundstripe, Storyblocks, AudioJungle).
Export settings: MP4 (H.264), 16:9, 1080p recommended for YouTube. Export WAV for archival and future remasters.
Step 5: Publish as a Podcast Playlist in YouTube Studio
YouTube now treats podcasts as playlists with extra metadata. Here’s the 2025 flow:
In YouTube Studio, click Create > New Podcast.
Choose Create a new podcast, Set an existing playlist as a podcast, or Submit an RSS feed.
Fill in title, description, visibility, and thumbnail.
Add videos: upload new episodes or add existing uploads to your podcast playlist.
Optimize metadata (more on SEO below). Avoid wasting title space on the words “episode” or even “podcast” for individual uploads; use that room for keywords.
Upload Options: New show, RSS ingestion, or audio-only
You can start fresh on YouTube, connect your existing RSS feed, or publish audio-only with visuals (audiograms).
How do I upload my podcast to YouTube using an RSS feed?
In YouTube Studio, go to Create > New Podcast > Submit an RSS feed. Accept terms.
Paste your RSS URL, verify by email (can take days to weeks).
Choose upload scope: all past episodes, from a certain date, or new episodes only.
Set visibility (Public, Unlisted, Private, or Scheduled). Past episodes typically import as Private until you switch the podcast to Public.
YouTube’s RSS ingestion auto-converts audio to a static-image video; your podcast may appear on the Podcasts Page and in YouTube Music podcasts when properly configured.
Turn an existing YouTube playlist into a Podcast Playlist
In Studio, Create > New Podcast > Set an existing playlist as a podcast.
Select your playlist, add podcast details, and set order (e.g., newest first). Standardize titles and descriptions for consistency.
Can I publish audio-only podcasts on YouTube?
Yes. If you rely on audio-first but want YouTube discovery, publish audiograms or static-image videos:
Use Headliner to create audiograms with waveform and captions, or Descript/Riverside to export square/vertical clips for YouTube Shorts and horizontal MP4 for full episodes.
Keep visuals branded: episode title, guest name, 1–2 key bullets, and bold thumbnail text.
YouTube Podcast SEO: titles, thumbnails, and metadata that rank
YouTube is a search and recommendation engine. Treat every upload like a search-optimized landing page.
Title strategy (avoid dead words and front-load keywords)
Use plain-English keyword phrases that match search intent: “how to start a podcast on YouTube,” “how to make a podcast on YouTube,” “upload podcast to YouTube using RSS feed.”
Avoid the words “episode” and even “podcast” in individual video titles if they don’t add search value; use that space for the topic and benefit.
Keep titles punchy (ideally ≤70 characters), include a benefit or outcome, and mention the year if freshness matters (e.g., 2025).
Examples:
“How to Upload a Podcast to YouTube with RSS (Full 2025 Walkthrough)”
“YouTube Podcast SEO Tips: Titles, Thumbnails, Chapters That Rank”
“Turn Audio Podcast into YouTube Video (Audiogram in 5 Minutes)”
Thumbnails that earn the click
Size: 1280×720 px minimum, 16:9, <2MB, JPG/PNG. Design for small screens first.
Use high-contrast colors and 3–5 big words to convey a clear promise (“RSS to YouTube in 5 Steps”). Faces work, but clarity wins.
Maintain a recognizable brand style for your podcast series thumbnail. A/B test variants over time to lift CTR.
Captions, transcripts, chapters, and file hygiene
Upload a transcript or refine auto-captions so every spoken word is indexable. Tools like Eddy by Headliner can auto-transcribe and suggest keywords.
Add chapters with keyworded labels (00:00 Hook, 01:05 Gear, 05:22 RSS to YouTube, 09:40 Shorts Strategy). Chapters help retention and search.
Fill all metadata fields (description with key takeaways, links, timestamps, tags, language, and location if relevant). Include LSI variations like video podcast, vodcast, YouTube show, podcast series, podcast setup, and podcast launch.
Rename asset files before upload (e.g., how-to-start-a-podcast-on-youtube-2025.mp4; youtube-podcast-thumbnails.png). File names are an early relevance signal and a low-effort win.
Description blueprint (copy and adapt)
First 2 lines: clear promise and main keyword. Example: “Learn how to start a podcast on YouTube in 2025 using Podcast Playlists, RSS ingestion, and YouTube podcast SEO.”
Timestamps/chapters.
Resources/guest links.
One focused CTA (subscribe, download checklist, join newsletter).
Hashtags: #YouTubePodcast #PodcastTips #YouTubeShorts.
Grow Faster: Shorts, algorithm, and distribution
Are YouTube Shorts effective for growing a podcast?
Yes. Shorts see ~70B views per day and are rapidly tested by YouTube’s recommendation system. Turn each episode into 5–10 Shorts:
Clip “aha” moments and contrarian insights (15–40 seconds).
Add on-screen text, captions, and a simple CTA (“Full episode on our channel”).
Use tools like Riverside Magic Clips, Headliner, or Descript to auto-find highlights.
How the YouTube algorithm treats podcasts
YouTube tests your content with small audiences and expands reach when signals are strong. Focus on:
CTR: compelling thumbnails/titles.
Watch time and audience retention: hook quickly in the first 10–30 seconds; avoid long intros.
Engagement: reply to comments, pin a comment with the main resource, and heart good replies. Engagement boosts recommendations.
Structure your catalog: a Podcast Playlist signals podcast content and can help you surface on the Podcasts Page and in YouTube Music.
Distribution beyond YouTube
Submit to Apple Podcasts and Spotify via your host (Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Captivate). Artwork specs for directories: 3000×3000 px, 72 dpi, RGB, JPG/PNG.
Paid discovery: Buzzsprout Ads (~10,000 listeners ≈ $200), Overcast Ads (often ~100 new subscribers per buy).
Cross-promote: newsletter, LinkedIn/Twitter, guest swaps, community posts, end screens, and cards to drive viewers into a binge path.
Measure Success with YouTube Podcast Analytics
You can access podcast-only analytics by filtering by your Podcast Playlist in YouTube Studio.
Key metrics to monitor
Watch time: strongest engagement signal; aim to increase session time with strong hooks and clear segments.
Views & CTR: thumbnail/title experiments to boost browsing performance.
Average view duration & retention: identify drop-off points; cut tangents and tighten the open.
Subscriber growth: track what topics convert viewers.
Engagement: likes, comments, shares; prompt a question in your video to spark replies.
Traffic sources: search, browse, and suggested; align titles/descriptions to winning searches.
Improve with feedback loops
Test one change at a time (title vs thumbnail vs open).
Keep a weekly release to build a habit (most creators thrive at weekly cadence).
Repurpose winners into Shorts; link Shorts to the long-form episode.
FAQs: Quick Answers for 2025
What equipment do I need to start a YouTube podcast?
Minimum: dynamic mic (Samson Q2U), headphones, smartphone/webcam, small LED light, and a quiet room. Add a boom arm and pop filter when you can. For multi-host setups, consider an interface (Scarlett 2i2) or a mixer/recorder (RODECaster Pro, Zoom PodTrak P4).
How much does it cost to start a podcast on YouTube?
Anywhere from ~$100 (USB mic + free editor) to $1,000+ for multi-host gear. Most beginners launch under $300 with a Q2U, headphones, and basic lighting.
How do I upload my podcast to YouTube using an RSS feed?
In YouTube Studio, Create > New Podcast > Submit an RSS feed, verify by email, and choose which episodes to import (all/backdated/new). Imported episodes default to Private until you switch visibility.
Is YouTube good for podcast discovery?
Yes. YouTube is the leading podcast platform by usage and acts as a recommendation engine. Search, suggested videos, Shorts, and the Podcasts Page drive discovery beyond your existing audience.
Should I avoid the word “episode” in YouTube podcast titles?
For individual uploads, yes, avoid “episode” and even “podcast” if they don’t add search value. Use that space for keywords and a clear benefit. Keep “podcast” in your series branding and descriptions.
Are YouTube Shorts effective for growing a podcast?
Absolutely. Shorts create multiple entry points per episode and are tested quickly by the algorithm. Use 5–10 clips per episode with captions and on-screen hooks.
Can I publish audio-only podcasts on YouTube?
Yes. Use RSS ingestion (auto static-image videos) or create audiograms with Headliner/Descript/Riverside. Add branded visuals and captions for higher retention.
How do YouTube Podcasts work, and how do you upload episodes?
Podcasts are playlists with extra metadata. Create a Podcast Playlist in YouTube Studio, upload or add existing videos, optimize metadata, and maintain consistent titling/thumbnail style. Alternatively, submit your RSS feed for automated ingest.
Pro Tips and Checklist for YouTube Podcast Launch
Primary keyword placement: Include “how to start a podcast on YouTube” in your video description intro and at least one H2-equivalent on your site page to reinforce relevance.
File/asset hygiene: Rename video, audio, thumbnail, and transcript files with descriptive keywords.
Chapters & timestamps: Add keyworded chapters; pin them in comments for easy navigation.
One CTA per episode: Subscribe, grab a checklist, or join your mailing list.
Community: Use the Community tab, live streams, and comments to deepen engagement.
Internal links (for your website’s companion post):
Link to your podcast equipment guide.
Link to your editing workflow tutorial (Audacity/Descript/Hindenburg).
Link to your RSS-to-YouTube walkthrough and YouTube podcast SEO tips.
Conclusion:
Now you know how to start a podcast on YouTube from validating your concept and building a budget-friendly podcast setup to recording, editing, publishing with a Podcast Playlist, and using RSS ingestion or audiograms when needed. In 2025, YouTube podcast SEO, Shorts repurposing, strong thumbnails, and rapid engagement in comments are the levers that move the algorithm. Keep titles clear, avoid wasting space on the word “episode,” upload transcripts, and watch your watch time. Start simple, publish weekly, and iterate. Your next upload could be the one YouTube recommends to thousands of new listeners searching for exactly what you have to say.
If you’re ready to put this playbook into action and want support on how to start a podcast on YouTube, our team can help you launch and scale your YouTube podcast, from concept validation to streamlined recording and podcast editing.
