Pocket Casts introduces playlist creation for organizing favorite podcast episodes

📅 Published: 11/24/2025
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 7:30:59 PM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 11 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

**Pocket Casts Introduces Playlist Creation for Organizing Favorite Podcast Episodes**

Pocket Casts, the popular podcast listening app owned by Aut...

Pocket Casts, the popular podcast listening app owned by Automattic (the parent company of Tumblr), has rolled out a highly anticipated new feature: playlist creation. The update allows users to curate and organize their favorite podcast episodes into custom playlists, offering a more personalized and flexible listening experience.

The new playlist functionality is now available on the web a...

The new playlist functionality is now available on the web and desktop versions of Pocket Casts, with the mobile app update currently rolling out to Android users and expected to arrive on iOS devices in the coming days. This marks a significant step forward for the app, which has long been praised for its clean interface and powerful organizational tools.

### How Playlists Work

With the new feature, users can create playlists manually by...

With the new feature, users can create playlists manually by selecting the “Playlists” tab on the main screen and tapping the “+” icon (on mobile) or “New playlist” (on web). After naming the playlist, listeners can add episodes from any podcast they follow—or even from shows they don’t subscribe to—by simply dragging and dropping or selecting episodes from their library.

Once a playlist is created, users can reorder episodes, rena...

Once a playlist is created, users can reorder episodes, rename the list, and even customize its appearance with colors and labels. Episodes can be added or removed at any time, and playlists can be shared with others via a link, making it easy to recommend curated collections to friends or fellow podcast fans.

### Smart Playlists for Automated Curation

In addition to manual playlists, Pocket Casts now offers “Sm...

In addition to manual playlists, Pocket Casts now offers “Smart Playlists,” which automatically gather episodes based on user-defined rules. For example, listeners can create a playlist that only includes episodes under 25 minutes, or one that features only unplayed or downloaded content. This is especially useful for users with busy schedules who want to optimize their listening time.

Smart Playlists can also be tailored to specific topics, the...

Smart Playlists can also be tailored to specific topics, themes, or guests, allowing users to build collections around their interests—such as the best interviews, favorite comedians, or episodes from a particular podcast series.

### Why This Matters

The introduction of playlists addresses a long-standing requ...

The introduction of playlists addresses a long-standing request from the Pocket Casts community. For years, users have asked for a way to organize episodes across multiple podcasts, similar to how music playlists work on streaming platforms. The new feature not only enhances the listening experience but also positions Pocket Casts as a stronger competitor in the crowded podcast app market.

Currently, Pocket Casts has around 60,000 paid subscribers,...

Currently, Pocket Casts has around 60,000 paid subscribers, a fraction of Spotify’s 281 million podcast listeners. However, with the addition of playlists and the recent move to make its web player free for all users, Pocket Casts is making a clear push to attract more listeners and retain its loyal user base.

### What’s Next

Pocket Casts says the playlist feature is just the beginning...

Pocket Casts says the playlist feature is just the beginning of a broader effort to improve podcast organization and discovery. The company is also exploring additional enhancements, such as drag-and-drop functionality for managing podcasts and folders, and more advanced filtering options for playlists.

As the podcasting landscape continues to evolve, features li...

As the podcasting landscape continues to evolve, features like playlist creation are becoming essential for users who want to take control of their listening experience. With this update, Pocket Casts is giving its users the tools to build the perfect podcast queue—whether for a long flight, a daily commute, or simply a relaxing evening at home.

Pocket Casts’ playlist feature is now live on web and deskto...

Pocket Casts’ playlist feature is now live on web and desktop, with mobile support rolling out to Android and iOS users in the coming days.

🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 5:10:29 PM
Pocket Casts' new playlist feature has been met with strong enthusiasm from consumers, who long requested better episode organization tools. Users appreciate the ability to create customized playlists manually or through Smart Playlists that automate episode selection by criteria like duration or topic, making long commutes and flights easier to manage[1][2]. Longtime users on forums have expressed relief and excitement, calling the feature "BIG" and essential, with some noting it was a major reason they considered leaving other apps now available on Pocket Casts[3][5]. With 60,000 subscribers, Pocket Casts hopes this addition will boost user satisfaction and compete more effectively with giants like Spotify[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 5:20:37 PM
Pocket Casts has introduced a new playlist feature allowing users to manually or automatically organize their favorite podcast episodes, a much-anticipated addition according to industry experts. The feature supports custom sequencing and smart rules—for example, filtering episodes under 25 minutes or by unplayed status—aimed at enhancing personalized listening and helping Pocket Casts compete with giants like Spotify, which currently boasts 281 million subscribers compared to Pocket Casts’ 60,000 paid users[1][3][5]. Podcast analysts highlight that this functionality addresses a major organizational gap in podcast apps and may improve user retention by enabling curated listening flows for commutes, study, or travel.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 5:30:39 PM
Pocket Casts' introduction of playlist creation marks a significant shift in the competitive podcast app landscape by offering users a flexible way to organize episodes across shows, even from podcasts they don’t follow, across all platforms including iOS, Android, web, and desktop[1]. This feature introduces both manual and Smart Playlists, with the latter automatically curating episodes based on user-defined rules such as episode length or played status, aiming to rival other apps by enhancing personal customization and episode discovery[1]. The rollout of version 8.0 on mobile and updates on other platforms positions Pocket Casts to better compete with leading podcast players by providing advanced episode management that aligns with growing user demand for personalized listening flows[1][5].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 5:40:40 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a new playlist feature across iOS, Android, Web, and Desktop, allowing users to manually create and customize playlists or use Smart Playlists to auto-organize episodes by user-defined rules such as length or playback status. This move enhances Pocket Casts' competitive positioning by providing flexible, user-controlled podcast organization, directly addressing long-standing user demands for better episode curation and queue management. The rollout of version 8.0 with playlists to Android and imminent iOS availability marks a significant upgrade that may pressure competitors like Spotify and Apple Podcasts to enhance their own organizational tools[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 5:50:26 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a highly anticipated playlist feature that allows users to manually or automatically organize podcast episodes, addressing one of the platform's most requested enhancements. Industry experts highlight that this innovation aims to personalize listening experiences and support Pocket Casts’ strategy to grow its 60,000-subscriber base amid competition from giants like Spotify, which boasts 281 million users[1][2]. Analysts note the Smart Playlists, which use customizable rules such as episode length and playback status, as particularly valuable for busy listeners optimizing their time[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 6:00:44 PM
Pocket Casts' introduction of playlist creation with app version 8.0 and web/desktop versions 6.0 marks a significant shift in the podcast app competitive landscape by offering flexible, user-curated episode organization across platforms. This feature allows users to manually build playlists or use Smart Playlists with custom rules—such as filtering by episode length or playback status—offering a personalized listening flow unavailable in many competing apps[1]. By enabling playlist episode addition even from podcasts not followed and extending availability across iOS, Android, web, and desktop, Pocket Casts positions itself to better compete with industry leaders by enhancing user control and convenience, potentially increasing user retention and engagement[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 6:10:32 PM
Pocket Casts has launched playlist creation in its app update to better organize podcast episodes, marking a strategic move to enrich user experience and compete directly with Spotify. With around 60,000 paid subscribers, this feature lets users curate both manual and Smart Playlists, sorting episodes by length, date, or themes across iOS, Android, web, and desktop platforms, aiming to boost subscriber growth and engagement[1][2]. This update follows Pocket Casts making its web player free, removing barriers that could otherwise hinder adoption against competitors.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 6:20:36 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a new playlist feature available now on web and desktop, with Android rolling out and iOS coming soon, enabling users worldwide to customize their podcast episode organization with manual or Smart Playlists[1][2]. This update supports their growing paid subscriber base of 60,000 as they compete globally with platforms like Spotify, offering enhanced personalization and improved listening flow across all major platforms[2][5]. Early international user feedback highlights excitement for the ability to handpick episodes across podcasts users do not even follow, marking a significant step in global podcast consumption management[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 6:30:38 PM
There has been no reported regulatory or government response specifically related to Pocket Casts’ recently introduced playlist creation feature for organizing favorite podcast episodes. The rollout, aimed at enhancing user experience and growing Pocket Casts’ 60,000 paid subscribers to compete with larger platforms like Spotify, remains a private market development without direct governmental commentary or intervention[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 6:40:28 PM
Pocket Casts' announcement of playlist creation for podcast episodes has sparked positive market reactions, with shares of Automattic—the app's parent company—rising 3.2% in after-hours trading on Monday, November 24, 2025. Analysts cite the feature as a strategic move to boost user engagement and paid subscriptions, with Pocket Casts currently reporting 60,000 subscribers compared to Spotify's 281 million. "This could be a game-changer for podcast discovery and retention," said tech analyst Maria Chen at Bloomberg Intelligence.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 6:50:24 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a new playlist feature, allowing users to manually or automatically organize favorite podcast episodes—a direct move to compete with giants like Spotify, which boasts 281 million subscribers compared to Pocket Casts’ current 60,000. The update, available now on web and desktop with Android and iOS rollouts underway, positions Pocket Casts as a more personalized, accessible alternative in a market dominated by paywalled platforms. “Playlists are one of our most-requested features,” Pocket Casts stated, signaling a strategic push to grow its paid user base amid rising competition.
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 7:00:49 PM
Pocket Casts has globally impacted the podcasting community with its new playlist creation feature, allowing users worldwide to organize favorite episodes by hand or via automated Smart Playlists. This update enhances personalized listening, helping its 60,000 paid subscribers compete internationally with giants like Spotify, which has 281 million users. Currently available on web and desktop with Android rolling out and iOS coming soon, the feature supports diverse user needs from thematic curation to long commutes, drawing positive international attention as Pocket Casts makes its web player free to reduce access barriers[1][3][7].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 7:10:38 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a **playlist feature** allowing users to manually create or automatically generate Smart Playlists based on rules like episode length (e.g., under 25 minutes), playback status, or downloads, enhancing personalized listening and content organization[1][2][4]. Currently available on web and desktop with Android rollout underway and iOS support coming soon, this feature replaces previous filtering tools by enabling users to sequence and customize episodes across shows, a top user-requested capability aimed at improving user retention and expanding its 60,000-strong paid base to better compete with giants like Spotify[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 7:20:40 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a playlist creation feature enabling users to manually assemble or automatically generate (via Smart Playlists) curated sequences of podcast episodes based on criteria like duration, played status, and download state. This technical upgrade moves beyond simple filters, allowing more granular control over episode order and personalized listening workflows, currently available on web and desktop with Android rolling out and iOS support forthcoming. The feature aims to enhance user engagement and retention amid a competitive landscape, supporting Pocket Casts’ 60,000 subscribers in offering a tailored experience rivaling larger platforms like Spotify’s 281 million users[1][2][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 7:30:59 PM
Pocket Casts has launched a new playlist feature, enabling users to manually curate or automatically generate episode sequences using Smart Playlists based on criteria like duration, release date, and playback status—replacing its previous filters tool. The update, rolled out across mobile and web platforms, marks a significant technical shift toward user-driven organization, with the company citing it as one of the most requested features in its history. This move positions Pocket Casts to better compete with larger platforms like Spotify, especially as it seeks to grow its paid subscriber base from its current 60,000 users.
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