Key Points:
- YouTube Music finally implements the long-requested “Mark as Played” feature for podcasts.
- Users can now easily manage their podcast library and queue by marking episodes as listened to.
- This basic functionality brings YouTube Music on par with dedicated podcasting apps.
For podcast enthusiasts who utilize YouTube Music, today marks a significant improvement in managing their listening experience. After months of anticipation following its initial tease in December 2023, YouTube Music has finally rolled out the “Mark as Played” feature for podcasts.
This seemingly simple addition addresses a crucial aspect of podcast management. Previously, users could not explicitly mark episodes as finished, making it difficult to keep track of their progress and identify unplayed content within their library and queue. The only workaround involved manually dragging the playback scrubber to the very end of an episode, an inelegant and time-consuming solution.
The new functionality seamlessly integrates with YouTube Music’s existing user interface. By accessing the overflow menu for a specific podcast episode, users will now see the option to “Mark as Played” or “Mark as Unplayed.” A confirmation message (“Episode marked as played”) appears upon selecting the appropriate action. While currently absent from the Now Playing UI, this feature is available across all platforms supported by YouTube Music, including Android, iOS, and the web platform.
The inclusion of “Mark as Played” represents a fundamental step towards establishing YouTube Music as a viable competitor in the podcasting landscape. This long-awaited feature brings YouTube Music in line with the basic functionalities offered by dedicated podcasting apps, enhancing the overall user experience for those who utilize the platform for both music and spoken-word content.
With this positive development, users can now effectively manage their podcast library, ensuring they never miss a new episode or waste time revisiting content they’ve already listened to. While some, like new episode notifications, may still yearn for additional podcast-specific functionalities, the introduction of “Mark as Played” signifies a commitment from YouTube Music to improve the podcasting experience for its users.
