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People “don’t want to just listen”: YouTube’s Mohan

Jun 18, 2025
YouTube's CEO Neal Mohan reveals the growing trend of video in podcasting at Cannes Lions, emphasizing that audiences prefer to watch rather than just listen. He believes this shift leverages YouTube’s algorithm to help discover new podcast audiences. Meanwhile, a blog post from Bumper criticizes relying on download metrics, suggesting they’re disconnected from actual consumption. Technical changes in download algorithms pose risks for podcasters, highlighting the need for smarter measurement tools in the industry.
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INSIGHT

YouTube Boosts Podcast Reach

  • YouTube's algorithm helps podcasts find new audiences daily regardless of the podcaster's size.
  • Video format is key as people prefer watching podcasts over just listening.
INSIGHT

Audience Wants Video Podcasts

  • People don't just want to listen to podcasts; they want to watch conversations unfold.
  • YouTube's big bet on video podcasting has proven successful.
INSIGHT

Downloads Are Misleading Metric

  • Measuring podcast success by downloads is risky due to technical changes and declining numbers.
  • Downloads are disconnected from actual consumption, making download-based metrics unreliable.
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