To create a podcast on YouTube, make a public podcast in YouTube Studio—or designate an existing playlist—and add full-length episode videos in the order people should watch or listen. An MP3 by itself is not a YouTube podcast episode: each episode in the playlist must be a video. YouTube can make eligible podcasts discoverable in additional places, but no setup choice guarantees audience growth.
What counts as a podcast on YouTube?
YouTube defines a podcast show as a playlist and its episodes as videos in that playlist. A show can therefore be audio-led, but its YouTube episodes still need video delivery. Upload an episode video directly, or use an RSS feed or a supported podcast-hosting distribution option to deliver episodes to YouTube. An audio file alone is not enough.
YouTube’s official setup guidance is at Create a podcast in YouTube Studio; distribution options are covered in Distribute podcasts on YouTube.
Prepare the show and episode playlist
Choose the right playlist scope
Create one public podcast playlist for each show. Put complete episodes from every season in that playlist, and leave clips, Shorts, other shows, and unrelated uploads out of it. You can organize clips separately without designating their playlist as a podcast. Shorts made to support a podcast do not appear in YouTube Music.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Name and describe the podcast
Use the show’s actual name as the podcast title. YouTube cautions against generic titles and unnecessary extra words—including “podcast” when it is not part of the show’s name. Write a detailed description that tells prospective listeners what the show covers. See YouTube’s podcast discovery tips.
Make a square thumbnail
A square podcast thumbnail is required when editing podcast details. YouTube recommends 1280 x 1280 pixels. Treat that as a platform design recommendation, not a promise that a particular thumbnail size or image will increase reach.
Create the podcast and add episodes in Studio
-
Open YouTube Studio and create a new podcast, or select an existing playlist and designate it as a podcast.
-
Enter the show title and detailed description, set its visibility to public, and add the square thumbnail.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Upload episode videos or add eligible existing videos. Keep the podcast playlist focused on complete episodes; use separate playlists for clips and other material.
Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
Arrange episodes to suit the format. For an episodic show, order them newest to oldest. For a serial show whose story is best followed from the beginning, order them oldest to newest.
-
Review the podcast’s settings and playlist before publishing. If you use RSS or a hosting platform instead of direct Studio uploads, check YouTube’s distribution guidance and whether your host supports delivery to YouTube.
Interface labels can change, so use the current options shown in YouTube Studio if they differ from these descriptions.
Choose direct upload, RSS, or hosting-platform distribution
You can upload episodes directly in YouTube Studio, connect an RSS feed, or use a podcast host that supports YouTube distribution; YouTube also mentions third-party upload tools. Choose based on how your episodes are produced and managed: direct upload gives you a Studio-based workflow, while RSS or host distribution may fit a show already published through a podcast host. Confirm the current requirements and options in YouTube’s distribution instructions. Regardless of delivery method, the YouTube podcast is built from episode videos in a podcast playlist.
How YouTube may help people discover the show
Eligible podcasts may be included in YouTube Music and may receive podcast badges, placement on youtube.com/podcasts, Watch-page discovery, recommendations to people with similar interests, and improved search features. Eligibility and placement are conditional; they are not guaranteed outcomes. YouTube says its podcasts page uses social signals, machine learning, signals from other Google products and services, and human input.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
Keep one public playlist per show and include complete episodes in listening order.
-
Use a recognizable show name and a detailed, accurate description.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Keep clips and Shorts separate from the full-episode podcast playlist.
-
Check eligibility: playlists containing content you do not own may be ineligible for podcast features, and copyright-policy violations can also affect eligibility.
These are ways to structure a podcast in line with YouTube’s guidance, not guaranteed growth tactics. YouTube’s documentation does not promise that any title, description, playlist order, or discovery surface will produce a specific number of listeners.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Measure performance and decide what to change
In YouTube Studio, review the podcast analytics available for your channel. YouTube describes views and watch time, with deeper views that can include traffic sources, audience demographics, audience retention, revenue, and other information. Its distribution guidance also lists impressions and click-through rate among available metrics. Names and availability may change, so confirm what appears in the current Studio interface.
Recommended Free Tools
-
Use traffic sources to see where viewers found episodes.
-
Use retention to identify where viewers stop watching or listening.
-
Compare episode performance and audience information before changing topics, format, or release choices.
Use your channel’s observed data to guide editorial decisions; the available analytics describe performance but do not by themselves establish why an episode succeeded or guarantee that a change will grow the audience.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Copyright, eligibility, and audio-only playback
Use content you own or have permission to use, and follow YouTube’s copyright policies. Content ownership and copyright-policy violations can affect whether a playlist is eligible for podcast features. YouTube podcast videos can be available for audio-only playback. YouTube says that to disable audio-only playback for a video, you must remove that video from all podcasts in its video settings.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you also want a YouTube channel to stay live around the clock using uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a separate option from podcast publishing: it loops uploaded videos on a YouTube live stream. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer can stay off; StreamNeo runs the stream in the cloud.
-
Nothing has to stay on at home, and automatic recovery can restart the stream if YouTube drops it.
-
One flat price per slot covers the quality you upload, up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
