The Difference Between a Podcast and a Vodcast — and Why It Matters Now
The vocabulary around podcasting is shifting. You're hearing "vodcast" more often. "Video podcast." "Audio podcast." "Podcast on YouTube." The words are being used interchangeably in some contexts and very specifically in others, and it's creating genuine confusion about what you're actually making when you hit record.
Here's a clear breakdown.
What a Podcast Is (Technically)
A podcast, in the original and still-common technical sense, is an audio show distributed via an RSS feed. The RSS feed is what allows it to show up on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Overcast, and every other podcast app. You subscribe, episodes download or stream automatically, you listen whenever you want.
The key elements are: audio content, RSS distribution, subscription-based delivery. A show that doesn't have an RSS feed isn't technically a podcast. It might be a video series, a YouTube show, a streaming program — but not a podcast in the strict definition.
What a Vodcast Is
Vodcast (video podcast) is the same concept applied to video. A vodcast has both audio and video components, distributed via RSS, playable through podcast apps that support video (fewer than you'd think — most podcast apps are audio-optimized), and often cross-posted to YouTube.
The term isn't new — "vodcast" was actually thrown around in the mid-2000s when video iPods were a thing. It faded because video podcasting didn't really take off then. Now it's back with genuine traction because YouTube has become a major podcast distribution channel and audiences are comfortable watching long-form video conversations.
Why the Distinction Matters in Practice
If you record a video podcast and only upload it to YouTube, you're making a YouTube show, not a podcast. There's nothing wrong with that, but it means your show won't appear in podcast apps, won't be discoverable by people specifically looking for podcasts on their commute, and won't benefit from RSS-based distribution.
If you record audio only and distribute via RSS, you have a podcast but nothing for YouTube — which, as mentioned in our previous piece, means leaving significant discoverability on the table.
The smartest position in 2026 is to do both: record audio and video, distribute the audio via RSS to podcast directories, and upload the video to YouTube. You cover both audiences and both discovery surfaces.
The Platform Confusion
Spotify complicates this. Spotify hosts both podcasts (RSS-distributed) and video podcasts, and the distinction between the two isn't always clear in the UI. For most listeners, it doesn't matter — they just see a show and listen or watch. For creators, understanding which format you're publishing in affects how you set up your feed, which metadata you need, and how the platform surfaces your content.
Apple Podcasts also supports video podcasts, but usage rates for video on Apple are dramatically lower than YouTube. Most Apple listeners are there for audio.
The Practical Takeaway
Stop thinking in terms of "podcast vs. vodcast" as a binary choice. Think of it as audio-first with optional video layer, or video-first with audio extracted. Either approach can result in a show that's available everywhere. The format you're making isn't defined by the platform — it's defined by your production approach and how you distribute it.
If you want the full reach, make video, extract the audio, distribute the audio as your podcast, and post the video on YouTube. That's what the majority of well-run shows are doing right now.
