Most likely answer is that when you’re switching to the HomePod, it’s finding the episode and streaming it from Apple Podcasts instead of airplaying directly from your phone, so you’re hearing the current version of the file on the HomePod, and an old version on your phone because you downloaded it. HomePods work weirdly and there’s all sorts of annoying quirks like this. Answer from quietlypodcast on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/podcasting › apple started adding ads to my show
r/podcasting on Reddit: Apple started adding ads to my show
October 4, 2023 -
Is this a new thing? My show has 52 episodes so far, and this is the first time that we've had this issue: we upload the episode to iVoox, It automatically syncs with all of our platforms by RSS... And then, when you listen to it on apple podcast, audio starts with an ad inserted in the track itself
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255602256
How to delete ads from podcasts downloade… - Apple Community
Some podcasts offer a paid subscription via Apple Podcasts which removes ads, but this may not be the case for all podcasts. If you have any questions, don't hesitiate to reach out!
Videos
04:23
The ad-free shows in Apple Podcasts - who pays? - YouTube
Add ad-free audio to published episodes - Apple Podcasts for Creators
03:06
New Apple podcast marketing tool to promote your show 🍎 - YouTube
Growing your audience - Apple Podcasts for Creators
04:49
How To Advertise Your Business On Podcasts with Podbean - YouTube
Apple Podcasts
podcasters.apple.com › support › 899-set-up-your-show-for-a-subscription
Set up subscription benefits - Apple Podcasts for Creators
Apple Podcasts will serve the ad-free version to subscribed listeners. Followers and everyone else will see the ad-supported episode. Only your subscribers will have access to this show.
Quora
quora.com › Did-Apple-podcasts-recently-add-external-advertising-I-hear-ads-that-definitely-arent-part-of-my-shows-now-and-it-started-last-week
Did Apple podcasts recently add external advertising? I hear ads that definitely aren't part of my shows now, and it started last week. - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): I honestly don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me (especially in the future). But, I have my ‘ear to the ground’ in the podcast industry and I’ve heard nothing about that yet, so I would say it is (currently, as of Monday, June 14, 2021) unlikely.
CNET
cnet.com › tech › mobile › you can now subscribe to podcasts ad-free on apple. here's how
You can now subscribe to podcasts ad-free on Apple. Here's how - CNET
June 17, 2021 - You can still listen to all of these podcasts free, as you typically have. But becoming a subscriber lets you unlock new content and benefits like ad-free listening and early access. "Listeners can't get enough of their favorite podcasts and want a simple way to support the extraordinary creators who make them possible," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats, in a press release.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/audiodrama › apple sticking extra ads into already downloaded podcasts?
r/audiodrama on Reddit: Apple sticking extra ads into already downloaded podcasts?
December 20, 2024 -
I have had The Hyacinth Disaster downloaded for a while, have listened to it a few times. There are ads already in what I have downloaded. On my phone, Episode 1 starts in earnest at about 1:35. Put it on my homepod and it switched from being the episode to being more ads. I have switched back and forth a few times, and it comes out to there being 2 min extra ads added to the beginning if I want to listen on my speaker. The episode starts at 3:37.
Does anyone know what the heck is going on with this?
Update as I have been told the ads are inserted elsewhere.
Just for the record, my homepods won't play anything I have downloaded to my phone. It will start to play and then a few seconds later dump it back to the phone. This is a new problem, so maybe they broke it in a recent update.
Top answer 1 of 4
5
Most likely answer is that when you’re switching to the HomePod, it’s finding the episode and streaming it from Apple Podcasts instead of airplaying directly from your phone, so you’re hearing the current version of the file on the HomePod, and an old version on your phone because you downloaded it. HomePods work weirdly and there’s all sorts of annoying quirks like this.
2 of 4
1
Nearly all ads today are dynamically inserted. The episode ad load can be changed by the producer at any time, and that file can be updated with the new ad load when it is re-downloaded. One of the real issues is that different podcast apps and players handle downloaded files differently. So, for example, if you listen to half an episode today and the rest tomorrow, the podcast app may actually re-download the file, which will sometimes end with a new file or a Frankenstein stitched file. How this is handled really depends on the podcast player behavior, but the hosting providers are pretty consistent: The latest ad load that they have in their system will be used for all downloads at that point. What can happen (although it's pretty rare) is that you download a file with a certain ad load, and then go to listen to it later on another player (or even on the same player) and the ad load will have been updated, so your listening experience changes.
Apple
toolbox.marketingtools.apple.com › en-us › apple-podcasts › us
Market with Apple Podcasts
Download Apple Podcasts badges and lockups · Customize posts for Social Media
Prx
help.prx.org › hc › en-us › articles › 36626130452251-Still-Hearing-Ads-on-Your-Paid-Apple-Podcasts-Subscriptions
Still Hearing Ads on Your Paid Apple Podcasts Subscriptions?
If you purchased your subscription through Apple Podcasts, the ad-free experience is available only in the Apple Podcasts app.
Audiogo
audiogo.com › home › faq › podcast ads › do my podcast ads run on apple's podcast player?
Do my podcast ads run on Apple's Podcast player?
Yes! Most of the shows in our network are available on the Apple Podcast player, meaning your podcast ad can and most likely will run on the Apple Podcast player.
The Podcast Host
thepodcasthost.com › home › is this the end of ad-free apple podcasts app?
Is This the End of Ad-Free Apple Podcasts App?
August 25, 2022 - Apple is planning to expand advertising to more of its native apps, and it looks like this will include Apple Podcasts. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple already generates $4 billion in advertising revenue annually.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255705353
How are ads on podcast ads hyper local? - Apple Community
August 10, 2024 - I get my podcasts from Apple with the iOS app. I’ve noticed some of the ads that I get are hyper local. Very local retailers, or health care providers. I am wondering how that works. Do the podcast creators know where I live? Or does Apple know where I am because of my profile on Apple?
Acast
advertise.acast.com › news-and-insights › podcast-advertising-the-ultimate-guide
Podcast Advertising: The Ultimate Guide [2025]
Podcast ads are non-intrusive yet attention-grabbing, it's subtle yet impactful. It gives advertisers the power to communicate with their target audience during those off-screen moments that were previously inaccessible.
Captivate
captivate.fm › home › blog › is apple podcasts free for podcasters? plus 8 easy steps to upload your podcast to apple
Is Apple Podcasts Free? Plus How to Upload your Podcast | Captivate
April 5, 2024 - This can include early access or exclusive episodes or ad-free listening. The Apple Podcasters Program costs around $20 per year to sign up to, but it’s really worth it from a monetization standpoint, and once you’re in you can manage it all directly from within Captivate. Delivering premium content directly within Apple Podcasts will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the amount of revenue your show generates for you, simply because it makes the process of paying for content seamless for your listeners.
Podcastpontifications
podcastpontifications.com › home › apple podcast advertising – ads on podcasts
Apple Podcast Advertising - Ads On Podcasts - Podcast Pontifications
August 21, 2025 - Use marketplaces like AdvertiseCast or Podcorn to connect with podcasters. Great for businesses that want turnkey campaigns. 🎙️ No Apple Ad System: Apple does not operate an ad marketplace.
Apple
marketing.services.apple › apple-podcasts-identity-guidelines
Apple Podcasts Identity Guidelines
The key to a great marketing campaign is clear and effective messaging. To comply with Apple requirements and receive the greatest benefit from your communications, follow these guidelines when promoting Apple Podcasts in marketing communications, including advertising, social media, websites, and printed promotions.
Singular
singular.net › home › apple podcast ads could be a multi-billion business by 2030
Apple Podcast Ads could be a multi-billion business by 2030
January 5, 2023 - One way: Apple Podcast Ads. Which, of course, does not yet exist. Nor do I have any insider information that it will soon exist.