Apple changing ‘subscribe’ to ‘follow’ in Podcasts app with iOS 14.5
Apple is changing the wording of its “subscribe” feature in the Podcasts app with iOS 14.5, swapping it out for “follow” instead.
First spotted by Podnews, Apple Podcasts will no longer use the word “subscribe,” with research showing that 47% of people who don’t currently listen to podcasts think that ‘subscribing’ to a podcast will cost money.
While Apple hasn’t explained why it is changing the wording of the feature, it seems to be to encourage podcast listers to follow creators without the fear of being charged.
The wording could also be linked to rumors that Apple is planning a new pay-monthly Podcast subscription service to compete with the likes of Amazon and Spotify, giving creators ways to monetize their content on the Apple Podcasts platform.