It’s official: YouTube has thrown its hat into the podcast-ranking ring, launching a brand-new Top 100 Podcasts chart for the United States. And, no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention, The Joe Rogan Experience is sitting pretty at number one. For the week of May 5 to May 11, 2025, Joe Rogan’s juggernaut of a show led the pack, with Kill Tony, Rotten Mango, 48 Hours, and The MeidasTouch Podcast trailing behind in the top spots. This is YouTube staking its claim as a podcast powerhouse, and it’s got the numbers—and the cultural clout—to back it up.

YouTube’s foray into podcast charts isn’t just a flex; it’s a natural evolution for a platform that’s been quietly dominating the audio-visual podcast space for years. According to a blog post by YouTube’s Steve McLendon, the chart will refresh every Wednesday, ranking shows based on watchtime. The methodology is straightforward but specific: only playlists explicitly tagged as “podcasts” by creators during the upload process qualify. That means no clip-heavy playlists or bite-sized YouTube Shorts sneaking into the rankings. This focus on full-length episodes ensures the chart reflects what people are actually sitting down to watch or listen to, whether they’re tuning in for Rogan’s three-hour deep dives or Rotten Mango’s true-crime storytelling.

The launch of this chart comes at a time when YouTube’s podcast footprint is impossible to ignore. Back in February 2025, YouTube dropped a jaw-dropping stat: over 1 billion people tune into podcasts on the platform every month. To put that in perspective, Spotify—one of the biggest names in audio streaming—reported 100 million regular podcast listeners in 2023. YouTube’s audience is not just larger; it’s an order of magnitude bigger. And unlike Spotify, which leans heavily on audio-only experiences, YouTube offers a hybrid of video and audio that’s clearly resonating with listeners who want to see their favorite hosts as much as hear them.

It’s no shock that The Joe Rogan Experience claimed the top spot. Rogan has been a podcasting titan for over a decade, blending long-form conversations with everyone from comedians to scientists to conspiracy theorists. His show’s appeal lies in its unfiltered, sprawling nature—episodes often clock in at three hours or more, offering a level of depth (or, depending on your perspective, meandering) that’s rare in today’s bite-sized content landscape. On YouTube, where Rogan posts full episodes and highlight clips, his channel boasts over 19 million subscribers and billions of views as of mid-2025.

What’s driving Rogan’s dominance on this new chart? For one, his watchtime is astronomical. YouTube’s ranking system prioritizes how long people spend with a show, and Rogan’s marathon episodes give fans plenty of minutes to rack up. Add to that his knack for landing high-profile guests—think Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders, or Jordan Peterson—and it’s clear why his show is a gravitational force. But it’s not just about star power. Rogan’s conversational style, love it or hate it, feels like eavesdropping on a chat at a bar. That raw authenticity translates perfectly to YouTube, where viewers can watch him lean into a mic, crack a joke, or get visibly fired up during a debate.

While Rogan may be the king, the rest of the top four tells a story about the diversity of YouTube’s podcast audience. Coming in at number two is Kill Tony, a live comedy podcast hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe. Recorded at Austin’s Comedy Mothership, the show combines stand-up performances with brutal roast-style commentary, drawing a cult following for its chaotic, anything-goes energy. Its YouTube channel, with over 2 million subscribers, thrives on the visual element—watching comedians bomb or soar on stage is half the fun.

Rotten Mango, in third place, is a standout in the true-crime genre. Hosted by Stephanie Soo, the podcast dives into chilling cases with a storytelling flair that’s both empathetic and gripping. Soo’s ability to connect with her audience, paired with YouTube’s visual platform, has turned Rotten Mango into a phenomenon, with millions of views per episode. The show’s success highlights how YouTube’s podcast charts aren’t just about big names; they’re also a stage for niche creators who build loyal communities.

Rounding out the top four is 48 Hours, the long-running CBS true-crime series that’s found a second life as a podcast. Its presence on the chart shows YouTube’s ability to bridge traditional media with the new-school podcasting world. Fans of 48 Hours can watch full episodes or listen to audio versions, making it a perfect fit for YouTube’s hybrid model.

YouTube’s decision to launch a podcast chart isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s a strategic move to cement its place as the destination for podcasts. The platform has been investing heavily in podcasting features over the past few years. In 2023, YouTube introduced dedicated podcast pages and improved its algorithm to surface podcast content. By 2024, it was experimenting with RSS feed integration, letting creators upload episodes directly from their podcast hosting platforms. The new chart is the latest step in this journey, giving creators and listeners a clear snapshot of what’s trending.

What sets YouTube apart from competitors like Spotify or Apple Podcasts is its visual edge. Podcasts on YouTube aren’t just audio files; they’re full-blown video productions, often with slick editing, dynamic camera angles, and even live audience interactions. This makes the platform especially appealing for shows like Kill Tony, where the live comedy vibe is a core part of the experience, or The Joe Rogan Experience, where watching Rogan and his guests banter adds a layer of intimacy. Even audio-first listeners benefit, as YouTube’s mobile app lets you lock your screen and treat videos like traditional podcasts.

YouTube isn’t resting on its laurels. Steve McLendon’s blog post hints at big plans: more features for the chart, like deeper analytics for creators, and expansion to other regions beyond the U.S. Imagine a global Top 100 Podcasts chart, spotlighting shows from the UK, India, or Brazil, where YouTube’s user base is massive. The platform could also lean into its algorithm to recommend podcasts based on your viewing habits—watch a Rotten Mango episode, and YouTube might nudge you toward Morbid or Casefile.

There’s also room for YouTube to innovate on the listener experience. Features like timestamped chapters (already common in YouTube videos) could make it easier to navigate long podcasts. Interactive elements, like live chat during premieres, could turn solo listening into a communal event. And with YouTube’s ad infrastructure, creators have a clear path to monetization, unlike some audio-only platforms where revenue can be a slog.

Of course, the chart’s launch isn’t without challenges. Some creators worry that YouTube’s focus on watchtime could favor long-winded shows over concise ones, potentially skewing the rankings. Others point out that the “podcast” tag requirement might exclude popular shows that haven’t been properly categorized. But these are growing pains for a platform that’s still figuring out how to balance its video roots with its podcast ambitions.

YouTube’s Top 100 Podcasts chart is more than a leaderboard; it’s a signal that podcasting is no longer an audio-only game. The medium is evolving, and YouTube is at the forefront, leveraging its massive audience and visual-first DNA to redefine what a podcast can be. Joe Rogan’s dominance may be the headline, but the real story is the platform’s ability to elevate a diverse range of voices—from comedians like Tony Hinchcliffe to true-crime storytellers like Stephanie Soo to legacy brands like 48 Hours.

For listeners, the chart is a treasure map, pointing you toward the shows people are actually watching and loving. For creators, it’s a chance to stand out in a crowded field, backed by YouTube’s unparalleled reach. And for the podcast industry, it’s a reminder that the future isn’t just about what you hear—it’s about what you see, feel, and share.