YouTube is still the top spot for U.S. podcast consumers, according to new Edison Research metrics. Meanwhile, Netflix is already carving out a foothold of its own.
What We Know: Edison Research’s Q3 2026 Podcast Metrics from SSRS once again ranks YouTube first among U.S. weekly podcast consumers. Behind it, Spotify places second at 17%, while Apple Podcasts sits third at 9%. Notably, Netflix ranks seventh, with 3% naming it their most-used podcast platform. For comparison, Edison’s October 2024 U.S. reading had YouTube at 31%, compared to 27% for Spotify and 15% for Apple Podcasts.
What The Data Shows: (via Edison Research)
What Remains Unclear: With YouTube gaining more stream and Netflix beginning to make its own impact, the data shows how video-first platforms are earning more users. It remains unknown which titles are most popular with the survey. Also, with Spotify and Apple also having video options for podcasts, the difference in audio versus video consumption was not listed.
What It Means: For creators, the takeaway is clear: video matters. In fact, YouTube’s sustained lead makes it the default destination for new shows. Meanwhile, Netflix adds another video-first rival worth watching. As a result, audio-first platforms face growing pressure to adapt as well as creators to pivot to video first models.
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