For US users, Google has introduced podcasts on YouTube Music.

To listen to podcasts on YouTube Music in the background, while casting, or when disconnected from the internet, you do not need a subscription.

• Google has launched podcasts on YouTube Music for US listeners.
• A subscription is not required for background and offline listening.
• The feature is rolling in stages. Check back later if you don’t have it yet.

Podcasts are now available on YouTube Music for US viewers

If you already have this capability, you can access music.youtube.com web interface or the YouTube Music app for iOS or Android to listen to your favorite podcasts.

To access the new section for audio podcasts, if you reside in the United States and have the feature, click the Podcasts option in the navigation bar at the top.

On the Home tab, you’ll find your unfinished episodes and suggested podcasts based on your listening habits. For curated content in areas including Business, Comedy, Gaming, Health & Fitness, Music, Society & Culture, and True Crime, click the Explore tab.

Google intends to expand the availability of this feature in the future.

Do I need to be a subscriber to hear podcasts?

Additionally, YouTube Music enables you to view show details, add podcasts to your library, download episodes for offline viewing, and browse channel pages for specific creators. Without a subscription, you can download shows for offline listening, listen to podcasts in the background, and cast.

The search engine giant explains that “this podcast listening experience is distinct from our music listening experience where you require a Premium or Music Premium subscription to use some of these capabilities.

This update also allows you to begin watching a podcast episode on the main YouTube app and continue listening to it on YouTube Music, according to the YouTube Music Help. On YouTube Music, listeners can alternate between audio and video versions. If you want to post your podcast to YouTube Music, follow Google guidelines.

Get the Google Podcasts app now

This is Google’s second podcast listening service. You may listen to your favorite episodes on the Google Podcasts app in addition to YouTube Music.

View Google Podcasts on the App Store

Watching video podcasts is also supported by the main YouTube app. According to Google, exclusive agreements with podcast producers like Spotify are not in the works.