Meet YouTube SmartModeling and Podscribe’s new AI Chatbot
As first announced earlier this week in our Q1 2026 PPB webinar, we’re excited to share more details on two of Podscribe’s latest developments:
SmartModeling for YouTube
Our new AI chatbot
SmartModeling for YouTube
In the world of YouTube ad measurement, modeling is a key topic. Historically, the industry standard has been to model YouTube conversions using the conversion rate from the same ad on the same audio episode.
This approach has succeeded in ensuring simulcast buys are not blanket under-represented, but lacks nuance & sophistication. To improve YouTube modeling accuracy based on the latest research, we’re announcing our 6-point YouTube SmartModeling solution.
Instead of just using the audio conversion rate of an ad, SmartModeling dynamically predicts the performance of a YouTube ad based on a variety of data-backed factors:
Share of U.S. vs. International audience - YouTube channels with more U.S. subscribers result in stronger modeled conversions weighting.
Ad Placement - If a podcast and YouTube ad both appear at the same time of the episode/video, modeling slightly favors the podcast. If the ad appears earlier in the YouTube video, the modeling may then favor the YouTube view, per our PPB findings of earlier ads generally doing better.
Ad Length - Longer ads are favored, per our PPB findings of longer ads performing better.
Engagement rate [Coming soon] - Videos with more engagement, judged by comment-to-view ratios, will be modeled higher. Related: our engagement scores per show.
Read Type [Coming soon] - Effectiveness of a video read likely varies by type. Eg if a host does a video read showing off some part of the sponsors’ product, it will have a higher weight in the modeling
Vanity URL [Coming soon] -Clicks on links from YouTube videos will factor into the modeling, if the advertiser uses vanity URLs.
On average, advertisers should expect a 10-30% drop in modeled YouTube performance with SmartModeling, which is in line with our research with Oxford Road that a YouTube view is less effective at driving conversions than a podcast download.
YouTube SmartModeling is live in your dashboard now, go check it out! →
Effective April 1st, 2026, YouTube SmartModeling will be the default for all simulcast campaigns moving forward. This will not affect historical reporting. You will still have the option to toggle off YouTube SmartModeling and switch back to YouTube Original Modeling.
Hello Podscribe AI!
Meet your new AI performance advisor and professional planner. Podscribe’s AI Chatbot is designed to help advertisers, publishers and agency users turn data into actionable insights.
What Podscribe’s AI Chatbot can do today:
The chatbot connects directly to Podscribe’s data layer, taking into account:
Show transcripts
Brand safety data
Podcast topics and contents
Social Audience data (TransUnion Audience Data coming soon)
Show sponsors
All past Podscribe’s Performance Benchmark (PPB) reports
Example use cases:
Talk to any show to learn about its audience data, content, advertisers
“What are the top audiences for Crime Junkie?”
“Would my brand work well with NPR Up First?”
Ask for performance tips based on past PPBs
“What is the best performing ad length, based on past PPB findings?”
Get quick podcast summaries
“What are the top topics discussed in the latest episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty?”
“What are the recurring topics discussed in The Ezra Klein Show?”
Discover new creative inspiration
“Craft a creative based on Joe Rogan’s transcripts, if I’m a meditation app”
Sort through a show’s advertisers
“Who are Crime Junkie’s past sponsors?”
“What is Crime Junkie’s usual ad format?”
Research top podcast shows, publishers and advertisers
“Which advertiser is the top spender in December 2025?”
Test it out now and let us know what you think →
What’s next? More coming soon…
Querying across multiple shows at once
Campaign performance analysis
Taking dashboard actions based on campaign performance
Adding more layers of data: YouTube & social media data, Podscribe rankers
Need help getting started or want a quick walkthrough?
Reach out anytime at adops@podscribe.com orrequest a demo.
