iOS 18 and Apple Podcasts: The Announced New Features

During Apple’s latest keynote dedicated to the launch of iOS 18, new features were unveiled for the Apple Podcasts app. Always focused on enhancing user experiences, Apple has introduced updates that promise to make the listening experience even smoother and more interactive. 🎧

Here’s what’s coming with iOS 18! 🌟

Dynamic Chaptering

For listeners, navigating through podcast episodes will become a breeze with dynamic chaptering. This feature allows you to see the different sections of an episode as you listen, making it easy to skip directly to the topics you’re interested in. For podcasters, this is a fantastic opportunity to structure their content and guide listeners to key segments of their episodes. However, this feature requires manually adding chapters, which could encourage creators to enrich the user experience and make their content more accessible and engaging! 🎙️

And speaking of adding chapters, if you’re using Ausha, you can easily create and manage chapters directly from our platform. Here is a guide on how it works on Ausha 🥳

Customized Listening and Sharing

Apple also announced enhanced customization options for listeners, such as the ability to reorganize episodes in the “Up Next” queue. For podcasters, this means listeners can prioritize episodes that capture their interest the most.

Additionally, the ability to share links that start at specific points in an episode is a powerful tool for creators. Imagine directing your audience straight to a memorable moment or a particularly impactful segment of your episode. Simply create a link from the transcript and share it—perfect for teasers and promotion on social media! 🔗

Clickable Timestamps

Podcast descriptions can often be lengthy, making it hard for listeners to find the exact moments they want to hear. With iOS 18 on Apple Podcasts, clickable timestamps embedded in episode descriptions will simplify this process. For podcasters, this is a great way to highlight the most interesting or engaging parts of their podcasts. By making each segment accessible with just one click, you improve the listener experience while allowing them to consume your content more easily. It’s also a strategic way to hold attention and encourage a more complete listen! 🚀

Revamped Search Engine

One of the key improvements announced is the overhaul of the Podcasts app’s search engine. With real-time suggestions for terms, shows, and episodes appearing as you type, listeners will be able to find the content they’re looking for more quickly. For podcasters, this update is a game-changer: it increases the discoverability of your shows. By optimizing the titles, descriptions, and metadata of your episodes, you can better leverage this new search algorithm to attract new listeners. 💡

To help you optimize them even further, we’ve created the PSO Control Panel: a tool that lets you track your positions in Apple Podcasts and Spotify search results and boost your visibility!

Conclusion

The new features announced for Apple’s Podcasts app on iOS 18 demonstrate a commitment to enhancing engagement for both listeners and content creators. Podcasters will have new tools to captivate their audience, while listeners will enjoy a smoother, more personalized, and interactive experience. These improvements represent a significant step forward in transforming podcast listening into an even richer and more engaging experience. 📱