Pocket Casts, the podcast platform under Automattic—the parent company of Tumblr—has introduced a new tool that enables users to assemble podcast playlists, making it simple to arrange your top episodes in any sequence you prefer. You have the option to build a playlist by hand, or let Pocket Casts generate one for you automatically.
These playlists are intended to offer a more tailored listening experience as Pocket Casts aims to expand its subscriber base and rival bigger services. At present, the app boasts 60,000 paying users, whereas Spotify’s subscriber count stands at 281 million.
With this new capability, you can easily put together themed collections or gather episodes featuring your favorite podcast guest across various shows. It’s also ideal for lining up episodes to listen to during long journeys or your everyday travels.
Image Credits:Pocket Casts
To begin making a manual playlist, head to the Playlists section from the main menu and tap the “+” button on your phone or select “New playlist” if you’re using the web app. After that, you can scroll through your preferred podcasts and select the episodes you want to add to your custom playlist.
If you’d rather automate the process, Pocket Casts includes Smart Playlists. By tapping the “Smart rules” option, you can set up personalized filters that automatically collect episodes that meet your chosen conditions.
For instance, if you’re interested only in shorter content, you can create a rule to include episodes under 25 minutes, or sort by those you haven’t played or have already downloaded. This is particularly handy for those with tight schedules who want to maximize their listening time.
Right now, the Playlist function is accessible on the web and desktop versions, and is gradually being introduced to Android devices. An iOS release is on the way.
This update comes after Pocket Casts made its web player free, further strengthening its position as a serious contender in the podcast market, especially compared to major platforms that restrict access to paid subscribers.
