The Podcasting Feature Spotify and Apple Should Launch Next

As podcasting’s popularity grows, independent hosts have found it more challenging to break through and connect with new audiences. Efforts from Spotify and Apple, such as spotlighting favorites and offering recommendations based on interests, have helped. But the platforms could do more.

Gael Aitor, the 19-year-old co-host of the mental health-focused podcast Teenager Therapy, has a few ideas. One major area that’s lacking, in his opinion: a comment section for individual episodes. While listeners can leave podcast reviews, those are generally an assessment of the show as a whole. “Your listeners can get a sense of what other people thought of the episode, what parts they thought were good,” Aitor said in an interview. “It’s my favorite part about posting the podcast on YouTube because people can go in there and actually comment their thoughts … I love seeing that sense of community.”