Today’s topic (YouTube vs. Podcasting) is a fun one and a question you may have asked yourself: YouTube vs. podcast? Which should you choose? Is YouTube better than podcasting? Or is podcasting better than having a YouTube channel?
As I record this, I’ve been a podcaster for six years and three months, with 311 episodes under my belt. So, I have a lot of experience with podcasting. But I’m also very familiar with YouTube. And honestly, I’ll start by saying this: both are absolutely amazing ways to create content and grow your business.
So let’s begin with that—both platforms are great. I’m not here to throw rocks at YouTube just because I host a podcast. In this episode, I'm going to bust some common myths about podcasting vs. YouTube and I’ll share some statistics and help you figure out which platform might be the best fit for you especially if you're thinking, “This year, I want a new way to create content and grow my business.”
In this episode, we'll explore which platform aligns better with your personality and business model. Because again, I truly believe both have a place (and they may even work beautifully together in your business).
Whether you're deciding which one to start, or you already have a podcast or a YouTube channel, this episode will give you more data and clarity to support your choice.
I’m really excited about this. Let’s dive in.
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Okay, so—is YouTube better than podcasting, or is podcasting better than YouTube?
The truth is, it really depends on who you ask. And honestly, there’s a lot of content out there bashing one or the other. For example, you’ll easily find people saying, “Don’t start a podcast—it’s a waste of time. It only serves your existing audience and doesn’t help you grow.” Okay... people are going to say that.
On the flip side, there are people who say, “Don’t bother with YouTube. It’s expensive, time-consuming to produce videos, you’re probably not great on camera anyway, and the platform’s oversaturated.”
So yes, there are strong opinions on both sides. But here’s what I want to say:
If you ever hear someone claim there’s only one right way to do something in business, they’re probably trying to sell you something that teaches that “one way.”
And look, I do have a podcasting course, and yes, I’d love for you to join it. But I’m also not going to stand here and say that podcasting is the only way to grow your business. That’s just not true.
That said, I’ve obviously chosen podcasting as my main platform. I also have a YouTube channel where my podcast episodes get uploaded. We’ll talk more about that later. The reason I chose podcasting has a lot to do with my personality, how I like to consume content, the kind of content I create, and where I believe my ideal audience is hanging out—which, in my case, is on podcasts.
But let me be clear: I don’t hate YouTube. You’re not going to hear me throwing shade at YouTube in this episode. I have business friends who’ve seen amazing success on their channels, and when someone tells me they’re starting a YouTube channel, I’m genuinely excited for them. I’m the first to say, “Yes! Go you! I can’t wait to subscribe and cheer you on.”
It doesn't have to be this “us vs. them” situation—like YouTube creators over here and podcasters over there, facing off in some kind of content battle.
I personally use YouTube all the time—just not for business content. I watch workout videos there, and my oldest son’s favorite shows are all on YouTube Kids. In fact, we even subscribe to YouTube Premium so he can watch without ads.
So yeah, I use YouTube—but not for business learning. Still, I know plenty of people do.
So if you’re thinking, “I want to start a podcast or a YouTube channel, but I’m not sure which one is right for me,” this episode is for you.
I’ve got six myths to bust, and then we’ll go over some key factors to help you decide which platform is best for you—your personality, your goals, your business model, and the kind of content you want to create.
Because yes, both are amazing options. But that doesn’t mean they’re both the right fit for you.
Myth #1: Podcasts Aren’t Searchable, But YouTube Is
You’ve probably heard this one before—people saying that it’s hard to get discovered through podcasts, but YouTube? Oh, that’s where the visibility magic happens. And just so you know, every myth I’m sharing in this episode is something I’ve heard, taught, or seen presented as a fact in online business circles—they're not made up. But this one? It’s simply not true anymore.
Let’s bust it: Podcasts are searchable.
Now, to be fair, this used to be more true. I’d say maybe 8 to 10 years ago, podcasts were harder to search and discover. But that’s changed significantly. Podcast searchability has improved even more in just the six years I’ve been podcasting.
Today, when someone searches for keywords in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, the search engines inside those apps are working hard to surface relevant episodes. And it's not just the episode titles that show up in search. Results are also based on your episode transcripts and show notes, which are either auto-generated by the platform or uploaded by the creator.
So you’ve got:
- Your episode title working for you,
- Your show notes working for you,
- And now, literally what you say in your episode is searchable.
That’s a big deal! And again, this is a newer development. Apple and Spotify both now generate transcripts automatically (though you can upload your own if you prefer). Personally, I just let them auto-generate mine—and even that’s working great.
These platforms are improving all the time, because podcasting is huge and continuing to grow. Companies like Apple and Spotify are investing heavily in making podcast discovery better.
Now, it’s hard to find exact numbers on how much they’re spending, but here’s one stat I found while researching: As of October last year, Spotify has spent over $1 billion acquiring shows—like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy. (We’ll actually talk about how those shows impacted the presidential election later in this episode)
Apple, while not buying shows, is investing in improving their software and adding features like paid subscriptions for podcasts (integrated right into the Apple ecosystem).
So, if someone tells you that podcasting isn’t searchable—they’re just wrong.
Both YouTube and podcasts are searchable. And here’s something else people often overlook: podcast episodes are also searchable on Google and other search engines, even if you don’t blog about them.
Now, I’m a big fan of blogging your podcast episodes—especially for SEO. And if you want to learn how to do that, I teach it in my program Podcast Success Blueprint. But even without blogging, Apple and Spotify can still show up in Google search results.
So, for example, you might Google a business topic and find a specific episode or show from Apple Podcasts or Spotify right there on the first page. That happens all the time.
Of course, you can also blog your episodes for added visibility and search value. But again—podcasts are searchable, period. And so is YouTube. This isn’t about saying podcasting has better search than YouTube. I’m just saying that both platforms have strong and growing search capabilities.
One thing I would love to see in the future—and maybe Apple and Spotify are already working on it—is the ability to search within a specific podcast show. So, for instance, you could go to The Breakthrough Brand Podcast page and search just that library for a certain topic. How great would that be?
Anyway, that’s myth number one:
“Podcasts aren’t searchable.” Totally false.
Read more: 3 Advanced Podcasting Tips That Will Boost Your Downloads, Save You Time, and Make More Money
Myth #2: Everyone Has a Podcast So There’s More Room For Growth on YouTube
Alright, let’s move on to myth number two:
“Everybody has a podcast, but YouTube still has room for growth.”
This one’s fascinating to me. First of all, let’s be clear: both YouTube and podcasting are popular. Neither is some hidden, undiscovered gem—which is why we’re even comparing them in the first place. There are a ton of content creators on both platforms, and they’re both massive in terms of reach and influence.
But here’s the myth-busting truth: podcasting actually has less competition than YouTube.
Now of course, it depends on your specific niche. But generally speaking, research shows that while there are about 2 million podcasts in existence (with around 48 million episodes), there are over 37 million YouTube channels. And those channels are pumping out more than 500 hours of video content every single minute. That’s a huge difference.
So yes, there’s more competition on YouTube. You’re competing for clicks, views, and search results in a much more crowded space. That’s something worth considering as you choose the right platform for you.
Myth #3: Podcasting is Too Expensive
This myth comes up a lot—and it’s one I love busting, because it’s simply not true for most people. In fact, if we’re comparing the two, starting a podcast is often less expensive than starting a YouTube channel.
Of course, it depends somewhat on your situation and what kind of business you have. If you already have video gear for YouTube, great! That might lower your costs. But for most people just starting out, you’ll spend less getting a podcast off the ground.
Here’s an example: You can start a successful podcast for under $100 total in equipment. Not per item—total. And it’s all stuff you can buy on Amazon.
To do well on YouTube, though, especially if you’re planning to be on camera, you’ll typically need:
- A quality video camera
- Good lighting
- A tripod
- A mic (which you’ll need for podcasting too)
Plus, one of the big advantages of podcasting is that it’s audio-focused—so you can keep things simple. For example, I love that I don’t need to set up lighting or get camera-ready every time I record. Right now, I’m sitting in my office, in my comfy, very-pregnant-girl outfit, feeling relaxed with my notes in front of me. It just works.
Even if you do choose to include video with your podcast—like recording interviews on a tool like Riverside—the expectations for video quality are different. If you're posting a video podcast episode, people are usually more forgiving of lower production value than they would be with a standalone YouTube tutorial.
So again, podcasting doesn’t have to be expensive—and it’s often much simpler to produce.
Myth #4: YouTube Content Keeps Working When You Stop Uploading, But Podcast Content Doesn’t
This is another common belief, and it’s just not true.
I recently took a three-month break from releasing new episodes, and I saw firsthand how podcast content continues to deliver value even while you're not actively producing. I’ll share more on that in the next section.
I know three months isn’t a super long break, but during that time, I was still seeing growth in my business and a steady stream of podcast downloads. Of course, not as many as I would see if I were actively publishing new episodes—because a new release typically generates a spike—but even older episodes from two, three, or four years ago were still getting listens.
So yes, podcast content continues to work for you, even when you're not creating anything new. It brings in new listeners, new subscribers, and even new customers long after the episodes first air. For example, during that break, I had a few older episodes getting over 800 downloads in a single week—and those were episodes I hadn’t touched in years.
I think that’s really cool. Sometimes I’ll look at my analytics and see that a totally random episode from three years ago was the most-downloaded that week. And it gets me thinking… how can I create more content like that?
These episodes are still being consumed in a few different ways. Some people are discovering them directly in their podcast app. They see the title, it feels relevant, and they hit play (regardless of the episode’s age). That’s where those 800-download weeks come from.
Other people are finding the episodes through related blog posts. They search something on Google, land on your blog, and read content that’s tied to the episode. That’s another way your podcast keeps working without you lifting a finger.
I want to be fair here and say that YouTube works the same way. Older YouTube videos can absolutely continue to get views and engagement for years after they’re uploaded. So if someone tells you YouTube content has long-term impact but podcasting doesn’t, that’s just not true. Both platforms can keep working for your business even when you're not actively publishing.
And this is something I talk about a lot when people come to me saying,
"Elizabeth, I want to start a podcast, but six years? 300 episodes? That feels overwhelming."
Or maybe even just one year of weekly episodes feels like too much.
Here’s what I tell them: Don’t think about forever.
Just start with six episodes. That’s it.
Commit to six. That’s a solid starting point. And from there, maybe you get to 20 and realize you want a break, or maybe you keep going. Either way, even just six well-made episodes can make a meaningful impact on your business. They can help new people find you, learn from you, and buy from you—long after those episodes are published.
So don’t worry about how long you’ll be podcasting. Just start. Create a small body of work that can grow over time and continue serving your audience, even when you're not creating new content.
Myth #5: YouTube is Better For SEO
So yes, podcasting works. It’s valuable. And you don’t need to treat it like a lifelong commitment in order for it to be worth your time.
Let’s move on to myth number five:
“YouTube is probably just better for SEO, right?”
“Better for SEO” is tricky to define because it really depends on the content. You can create something that never ranks if the content isn’t good or if the SEO isn’t handled correctly. But here’s the truth—both YouTube and podcasts can be excellent for SEO and for getting discovered by new audiences.
Personally, my podcast has landed me on the first page of Google search results for all kinds of keywords. That includes both blog posts based on podcast episodes and the episodes themselves ranking directly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
For example, someone might search "how to start a book club" and my podcast episode shows up near the top. They click, listen, and that could be the start of them becoming part of my audience. That’s how podcast SEO works when it’s done right.
I teach all of this in Podcast Success Blueprint, my signature podcasting course. I’m really passionate about SEO and we cover a lot of strategies specific to helping your podcast reach the right people.
Now, I do want to acknowledge that Google owns YouTube, which is important. But that doesn’t mean Google only prioritizes YouTube in search. Google also indexes podcast content and knows how valuable it is. So, the takeaway here is that both platforms support strong SEO, and you can succeed with either.
Read more: 3 Easy Hacks To Grow Your Show With Podcast Guests
Myth #6: You Have To Pick Between Youtube and Podcasting
Now, you might want to choose a lead platform, especially if you're repurposing one piece of content across both places. But as a business owner, you're absolutely allowed to do both—many people do.
In fact, one of the biggest trends on YouTube right now is podcasts being uploaded to the platform. YouTube now offers podcast support where your audio episodes can be auto-published from your RSS feed. I personally do this.
Another option is recording video podcasts (where people can watch you and your guest speaking on camera) or you can just upload audio with a visual element.
Either way, it gives your podcast extra discoverability on YouTube, in addition to the podcast apps and Google.
Or maybe you're doing the reverse: YouTube is your main platform, and you upload the audio to a podcast feed. Just keep in mind that if your content is very visual (like tutorials) listeners might miss out without the video. In those cases, you could include a blog post with supporting visuals and link to that from the podcast.
Some creators also choose to create unique content for both platforms. That’s more work, but totally doable. For instance, I have YouTube tutorials around Showit that don’t make sense as podcast episodes because they’re screen shares. But most of my podcast episodes work just fine without visuals.
And if you’re thinking, “Elizabeth, I don’t have the time or bandwidth to do both,” that’s completely okay. You don’t have to. When I first started my podcast, I wasn’t on YouTube either. That came later, and it’s still optional. The point is—you don’t have to pick one and exclude the other forever. There’s room for flexibility and growth.
So that’s the end of the myth busting. Now it’s about figuring out what works for you.
Whether you go all-in on podcasting, choose YouTube as your main platform, or decide to do both, it really comes down to how you prefer to create and consume content, and where your audience spends time.
As you listened to these myths, what stood out to you? Did any point make you lean more in one direction?
Podcasting is incredibly powerful, and I could go on for days about all the reasons I love it. One thing I especially love is the intimacy of the medium. You’re with someone as they go about their day—maybe while they’re driving, working out, folding laundry, or doing tasks in their business. It’s a unique way to build trust. And that kind of connection is much harder to create on YouTube.
Podcasting is Now Considered New Media
Now that we've busted some of the most common Youtube vs. Podcasting myths, I want to go back to something I mentioned briefly earlier: Podcasting is now considered new media. It’s a format that has real influence.
In fact, it played a huge role in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Even though I don’t talk politics on my show, I found that fascinating. It really showed how deeply trusted podcasting has become.
Here’s a quote from Steve Johnston, former COO of Flex Point Media:
“2024 will be remembered as the podcast election—not because podcasts are new, but because it was the first time presidential nominees and their running mates leveraged podcasts in a meaningful way.”
No matter where you fall politically, it’s really fascinating to see podcasting become such a major platform in public life. This shift in how media is consumed is important.
If you missed it during the 2024 election season, here’s what happened: Trump appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, and JD Vance, his running mate, did as well. Vice President Harris went on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper. These are two of the biggest podcasts in the world, both owned by Spotify. Earlier I mentioned Spotify investing over $1 billion into acquiring shows—these are examples of that investment.
Trump also did 14 major podcast interviews and live streams, including appearances on platforms like Twitch. That shows just how seriously political campaigns are taking podcasting as a form of media.
Podcasting is widely considered part of the “new media.” If you Google the term, you’ll see how it’s come to represent a trusted alternative to traditional outlets. In 2024, many voters chose to listen to Harris and Vance on podcasts during their daily routines (on commutes or while running errands) instead of watching scheduled debates on Fox or CNN.
This shift is a big deal. Even now in 2025, you’re seeing podcasters invited to the White House more frequently. It’s a sign that this medium continues to grow in influence and reach.
Now let’s shift to helping you decide which platform is best for you.
How To Decide If YouTube vs. Podcasting Is Right For Your Business?
Here are a few key questions to ask yourself:
1. Which platform do you use more personally?
Do you find yourself watching YouTube videos daily, or are you someone who refreshes your podcast app to catch the latest episodes? We tend to create content most effectively on the platforms we consume. If you never use YouTube, for example, it may feel awkward or unfamiliar to create content there. But if you’re a regular podcast listener, starting your own show might come more naturally.
2. Is your content visual?
Take a look at the ideas you’ve been jotting down. Are they highly visual? If your content relies heavily on visuals, YouTube might be a better fit. Podcasting, while powerful, isn’t the best medium for tutorials or content where visuals are essential to the message.
3. Do you enjoy being on camera?
Creating video content often means being face-to-camera. Do you feel confident in that setting? Or does the idea of showing up on video regularly feel like too much? With podcasting, you can record in your closet with messy hair, no makeup, and zero pressure to look polished. YouTube usually requires more setup and time to prepare.
Both platforms take getting used to. Your first podcast episode might be clunky. Your first YouTube video might be awkward. That’s okay. But knowing whether you’re more comfortable speaking on camera versus just using your voice can help you decide where to start.
4. Where is your audience?
This is huge. Who are you trying to reach and where are they spending time?
If your audience is mostly listening to podcasts while commuting or doing chores, podcasting makes sense. If they’re watching tutorials or lifestyle content on YouTube, then that might be your best route. You can even survey your audience directly by posting in Facebook groups or your email list and ask where people consume content.
Different topics and different types of content work better on different platforms.
Why I Chose To Prioritize My Podcast Over My YouTube Channel
Now that we've talked about YouTube vs. Podcasting, here are some personal reasons I love podcasting (and why I’ve stuck with it for years).
First, you can record in complete comfort. Seriously. Messy bun, no bra, sitting in your closet. No lights, no makeup, no set. That makes it so much easier to fit podcasting into your business and your life.
I do what I call “self-editing” while I record. I’ll pause, rephrase, or catch my breath when I need to (especially now that I’m very pregnant and get winded more easily). It’s flexible and forgiving, and that fits my personality well. If that sounds like you too, podcasting might be the better fit.
Second, podcasting is fairly straightforward. You don’t need to learn platform-specific tricks, trends, or video editing to get noticed. There’s less “algorithm hacking” and more focus on creating meaningful content.
Podcasting is more straightforward than learning YouTube, in my opinion. It’s also typically cheaper and easier to record a podcast episode than it is to light, film, produce, and edit a YouTube video. Especially for someone like me who doesn’t have a background in video or photography, podcasting is far more accessible.
Another thing I love—listening to a podcast episode is simply easier for most people than sitting down to watch a YouTube video. Podcast content is on-the-go. People can multitask while they listen, and you’re more likely to see higher listen-through rates, even for episodes where the listener might not be sure they’re fully interested in the topic. If they like your show, they’ll still press play.
That kind of ongoing engagement is powerful. Podcasting is also an extremely intimate form of marketing. Your voice goes with your listener throughout their day (into their car, on their walk, during chores) and that creates a real connection.
A podcast can put new eyes (and ears) on your business and help establish your credibility. Even if you're wondering, "Who am I to start a podcast?" I promise, once you begin and feel that momentum, you’ll see how powerful it is. You'll start building authority and trust with your audience.
Podcasting also opens up new ways to make money. And honestly, that’s something a lot of podcast courses don’t focus enough on. In my course, Podcast Success Blueprint, I have an entire module dedicated to this, called “Make Money Podcasting.” There's even a downloadable PDF called the Make Money Podcasting Playbook, which walks you through creative monetization strategies (many of which you may not have considered!).
In fact, in this one episode you’re listening to right now, I’m using three or four different methods I teach in that module to monetize the show. It's real, it's effective, and it's something I love sharing with my students.
Read more: 3 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Hit Record On My First Podcast Episode
Join Podcast Success Blueprint
If you’re feeling ready and podcasting seems like the right path for you, I’d love for you to join Podcast Success Blueprint. It’s open for enrollment now, and it’s a course I’m really proud of. I poured so much into creating it, and it’s been such a joy helping students inside the program.
We’ve got an active Facebook community, live Q&A calls, and lots of resources. Whether you're just getting started or already have a podcast that you want to scale and systematize, this course is for you. I cover how to get support, hire a team, streamline your workflow, and how to actually make money with your show.
If you’re still deciding between YouTube and podcasting, I want you to know:
There is no wrong decision.
Both are amazing ways to grow your business. It all comes down to what fits your personality, your audience, your content style, and your season of life.
You all know I’m passionate about building a business that fits your life, not the other way around. So choose what works for you right now. You can always evolve.
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Articles about how podcasting influenced the election here and here
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