At SXSW Sydney, Steve McLendon — Global Lead for YouTube Podcasting — spotlighted two features that podcasters can immediately leverage: creator collaborations and episode‑title A/B testing. He argued these tools are not just nice to have, but increasingly vital in a video‑podcasting world.
Feature 1: Creator Collaborations
McLendon emphasised that collaborating with other creators can dramatically extend reach. By working with guests or co‑hosts with their own audiences, your podcast episode can appear on both channels, boosting discoverability.
What it means for you:
- Choose collaborators whose audience overlaps or complements yours.
- Plan episodes where both parties promote and link across channels.
- Treat the guest appearance as a growth strategy, not just content.
Feature 2: Episode Title A/B Testing (and Beyond)
YouTube now offers testing of episode titles to determine which version drives stronger engagement. McLendon noted you can test three titles — although “A/B/C testing” sounds less familiar than just A/B.
How to use this effectively:
- Draft 2‑3 distinct titles that vary tone, keywords, or urgency.
- Upload the episode as usual, then activate the A/B/C title test.
- Monitor watch‑rate, click‑through, and audience retention metrics.
- Keep the winning title and learn which language resonates with your audience.
Video‑podcasting is no longer an after‑thought. If your podcast is audio‑only, you’re missing a large YouTube‑viewer segment. McLendon stressed the value of video formats for podcast growth.
Test‑and‑optimize mindset wins. From titles to guest strategy, treat each episode as an experiment. Use the collaboration and testing features intentionally to expand audience and refine your approach.
YouTube’s platform features are evolving beyond “upload and hope.” With creator collaborations and title testing now built into the workflow, podcasters who embrace these tools will have a strategic edge. Rather than relying solely on content output, focus on how you amplify and optimize each episode. For brands and creators populating multiple platforms, this isn’t optional—it’s becoming foundational.
