September 21, 2021
New features for Apple Podcasts in iOS 15
With the release of iOS 15, new sharing and personalization features are now available in Apple Podcasts. Listeners can now easily see all of the episodes, shows, and channels shared with them over Messages in one convenient section in Apple Podcasts. Additionally, we’ve expanded personalized show recommendations in the Listen Now section, opening new ways for listeners to discover their next favorite podcast.
Shared with You: Apple Podcasts
People trust recommendations from friends and family, which is why word of mouth is among the most effective ways for listeners to find new shows they love and for creators to grow their audiences. Shared with You makes this even more convenient. Now episodes, shows, and channels from Apple Podcasts sent over Messages automatically appear in a new Shared with You section in Listen Now. When listeners navigate to the shared episode, show, or channel, a button at the top indicates who shared it with them. They can tap that button from the corresponding page — or section in Listen Now — to jump right back to the moment it was shared in Messages and send a Tapback or reply.
Personalized Recommendations in Listen Now
Listeners* will also discover additional personalized recommendations through new sections in Listen Now to help them find their next favorite show. Sections titled “If You Like [Show Name]” recommend additional shows listeners of that show are engaging with. For example, a “If you like Back Issue” section might recommend popular shows in the Society & Culture category, more shows with a discussion format or that focus on pop culture, additional shows from Pineapple Street Studios, and other shows listeners of Back Issue are also following.
Listeners will also find new sections with personalized recommendations based on topics they care about. For example, listeners who enjoy shows categorized by their creators under Arts will see new sections with suggestions for shows categorized under Books, Design, and Food. These recommendations are based on the more than 100 categories and subcategories available to creators which can be modified at any time in Apple Podcasts Connect or through a third-party hosting provider.
With iOS 15, Apple Podcasts also supports playback at 1¼ (1.25x) speed. Shared with You for Apple Podcasts and Personalized Recommendations in Listen Now are also available to listeners using iPadOS 15 and tvOS 15 and with macOS Monterey later this fall. As with all Apple products and services, Apple Podcasts is designed to safeguard listener privacy.