YouTube may get a new 'Podcasts' homepage, as well as audio advertisements.

YouTube looks to have intentions to compete with podcast industry behemoths Apple and Spotify. An 84-page document that is believed to define the company's plan has been purportedly leaked.

The text is said to be aimed at podcast producers. YouTube is allegedly working to enhance podcast consumption on its platform, according to this leaked document. A new podcast homepage with a comparable YouTube style is also coming.

The information comes from Podnews, which claims to have obtained an 84-page YouTube presentation. It hasn't revealed the entire presentation, instead focusing on a section titled 'Looking Ahead.'

According to the rumour, YouTube will have a separate 'Podcasts' site for easier search and discovery at youtube.com/podcasts (URL presently not working). The online video sharing company is rumoured to be working on making it easier to publish podcasts to its platform.

YouTube is also rumoured to be intending to introduce audio adverts for its audience who listen to music, podcasts, and other audio material, which will be sold by Google and other partners.

YouTube's statistics are reportedly being updated with new data measures geared for audio-first artists. This move will allow the company's data to be smoothly integrated with industry-standard podcast measuring platforms such as Nielsen, Podtrac, and Chartable.

Spotify is also rumoured to be working on a new 'audio newsfeed' for quick podcast discovery on its applications. A purported video of the new vertical feed has also surfaced, showing the app's dedicated 'Podcasts' button.

The stream is said to feature a vertical appearance similar to TikTok, with podcast segments from producers the audience might love. Spotify is said to be employing Podz's technology for automatically picking podcast pieces, which it purchased last year.