Pocket Casts, the podcast app owned by Automattic (the company behind Tumblr), has introduced a new playlist feature, allowing users to organize and listen to their favorite podcast episodes in custom sequences. This update aims to improve user personalization and drive growth in a competitive market.
Why This Matters: A Shift in Podcast Consumption 📈
For years, podcast listening has been largely linear: subscribing to shows and consuming episodes as they drop. Playlists change this. They let listeners curate content across multiple podcasts based on themes, guests, or personal preference —turning podcasting into a more active, deliberate experience.
This is especially relevant because the podcast market is dominated by giants like Spotify (281 million subscribers) while Pocket Casts has only 60,000 paid users. Features like playlists help Pocket Casts stand out and attract listeners who want greater control over their audio experience.
How Playlists Work: Two Ways to Organize ⚙️
Pocket Casts offers two methods for playlist creation:
- Manual Playlists: Users can manually select and order episodes from their favorite podcasts. This is ideal for crafting collections around specific topics (e.g., “All Episodes with Malcolm Gladwell”) or moods.
- Smart Playlists: The app automatically generates playlists based on user-defined rules. For example, listeners can create a playlist that only includes episodes shorter than 25 minutes or filters for unplayed content.
This automated approach is useful for busy listeners who want to maximize their listening time.
Availability and Future Rollout 📱💻
The playlist feature is currently available on the web and desktop versions of Pocket Casts. Android users have already begun receiving the update, and iOS support is coming soon.
This update signals Pocket Casts’ commitment to evolving beyond a simple podcast player into a personalized audio hub. By empowering users with greater control over their listening experience, the app is positioning itself as a niche alternative to larger, more algorithmic platforms.
