If you’re serious about growing your podcast in 2026, YouTube is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a core part of your podcast marketing strategy. This year, YouTube rolled out a wave of new tools that make the platform friendlier than ever to creators who want to grow sustainably without burnout. From AI-powered analytics to auto-dubbing in 20+ languages, these updates are transforming how podcasters reach global audiences, collaborate smarter, and monetize content more effectively.

But here’s the real question: which of these features actually move the needle for podcasters—and which are just shiny distractions? In this episode of The Podcast Space, I welcome video strategist Yesenia Bocanegra to break down what’s essential for growth, what to experiment with, and what you can safely ignore (at least for now).

The Must-Try Features for Podcasters on YouTube

The new AI analytics in YouTube Studio are one of my favorite additions. They make it so much easier to understand how each episode performs, which content connects most with listeners, and where new subscribers are coming from. I’ve always loved data, but let’s be honest—it can be overwhelming. This update finally makes analytics feel approachable, even for creators who aren’t data nerds.

Then there’s the collaboration feature, which has been an absolute game changer for me. I tested it by tagging past guests in older videos, and after collaborating with sponsorship coach Justin Moore, I saw a 700% increase in views in just two weeks. It’s one of those “low effort, high reward” features that breathe new life into your back catalog. I now see collaborations as part of my passive marketing strategy—a simple but powerful way to extend reach without constantly creating new content.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to YouTube's New Features for Podcasters
• 00:07- Leveraging YouTube’s New Collaborations Tool for Audience Growth
• 00:38 - AI Tools and Studio Upgrades for Content Creation

Resources mentioned in this episode:

For the full list of links, resources and show notes, please visit:

https://www.thepodcastspace.com/podcast/s4-107-the-youtube-features-podcasters-cant-live-without-in-2026-and-whats-just-hype

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