- Spotify has implemented the integration of podcasts within requested playlists
- You can generate a playlist of podcast episodes based on your own directions.
- It’s a new way to discover new podcasts, just like you can with music tracks.
I’ve never been a big Spotify podcast listener, mainly because the discovery tools aren’t as ubiquitous as they are with music, and it’s been difficult to find new shows that I really stick with, but Spotify’s new update could be the solution to this long-term struggle.
Building on its Requested Playlist feature, which lets you control its algorithm by using specific prompts to create music playlists, Spotify now includes podcasts in the mix. The tool is rolling out in English to Premium subscribers in several regions, including the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden.
Now, as as well as By using prompts to select song playlists based on mood, vibe, or listening history, you can use prompts to build a collection of podcast episodes to find your next big obsession or delve even deeper into specific topics. It gives you another way to explore Spotify’s wide range of podcasts, rather than endlessly scrolling through its podcast categories to find new shows, which has never worked for me personally.
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In her announcement, Lizzy Hale, Spotify’s global head of podcast editorial, shared that “podcast fans are always looking for their next great listen,” adding that “the requested playlist makes discovery easy and personal. For creators, it unlocks powerful new discovery opportunities, bringing both the catalog and new episodes to audiences who are actively indicating what they want to hear.”
A big step for podcast discovery
Expanding Prompted Playlist to podcasts works the same as it does for music.
You can create one by tapping the ‘Create’ button at the bottom right (or tapping the ‘+’ sign if you’ve disabled the Create button), then enter a message as long or short as you want, and you can be specific with your descriptions. You can edit these signals at any time or start a new one from scratch.
Additionally, you can modify your playlist to update from time to time, just as you can with a standard requested playlist of songs. That way, it gives you a series of recent podcast recommendations that keep you informed.
As I said, despite being one of the best music streaming services, Spotify’s discovery tools (like Daylists, New Music Friday playlists, and of course Discover Weekly) have only helped users find music, until now. I’ve pretty much mastered every way to find new tracks that resonate with me on Spotify, but I’ve never been able to stick to a new podcast show, let alone find a new one that catches my attention and makes me download more episodes.
Expanding Requested Playlists to the podcast ecosystem is the first step in Spotify’s journey to make podcast discovery a more seamless experience for subscribers. Because it allows for specific prompts, it also presents a new way for users to find episodes about culturally relevant topics that interest them most, even if they are niche.
Speaking of relevant topics, I wanted to see what Spotify podcasts had to say about Kanye West’s (who now prefers the name ‘Ye’) controversial Wireless Festival booking, and there was a lot to digest. Although the playlist took some time to generate (it often does with requested playlists), what it curated was a solid collection of podcast episodes on the topic I entered as a message, spanning different types of shows, from factual news to more relaxed, conversational, panel-based podcasts.
My testing revealed that the Prompted Playlists update opens a door to a whole new realm of podcast discovery, but it can also serve as an easy way to access and find how creators and other voices are contributing to cultural discourse on a global scale.
I predict great success for those who use podcasts to delve into current news and specific topics, rather than reading a mass of news articles to get their fix. I’m also excited to explore the tool further to see what new podcasts will come my way. Maybe 2026 will be the year I finally become the podcast enthusiast I always dreamed of being.
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