Podcasts are picking up a lot of hype these days and many even say that they will replace books, but why? Probably because they allow you to choose your own adventure story but instead of turning pages, you move to episodes and you get hooked for hours. Today, there is a podcast for everyone no matter who you are and where you belong and that is the beauty of it. “Podcast” is the trending word nowadays and every influential creator is talking about it.
Podcasts are digital audio files that can be streamed or downloaded at any given point in time, they cover a range of topics including crime, drama, horror, technology, comedy, and many more topics. They come in episodes daily, regularly, or weekly, there are various platforms where you can listen to podcasts for instance apple podcasts and Google podcasts.
In this blog, we will go through 8 of the most powerful statistics related to podcasts that will help you understand the current landscape.
Podcast Making Their Debut
In 2000, people were breaking the ice and trying videos and internet radio shows. In 2003, the software engineer Dave Finner introduced a groundbreaking idea. It was that of sharing audio content using something called an audio RSS feed. Journalist Christopher Lydon jumped in between and started to share interesting interviews that got the attention of the audience and he gained some following. Fast forward to 2004, Finner teamed up with MTV DJ Adam Curry and they created iPodder. This program was the first one that made it possible for people to download internet radio broadcasts to their iPods for convenient listening and from here the term podcast came into being.
What Is The Purpose Of A Podcast
Podcasts are just like the new age radio shows that offer a range of advantages and they are highly attractive to content creators and audiences. The Pew Research Centre released a survey about podcast viewership, it says each listener has a different reason to turn up to podcasts. Some 88% listen to podcasts to learn, while 87% say for entertainment, the rest 81% engage in podcasts because they want to just listen to something, and 71% do just for the sake of hearing other people’s opinions. To ask what’s the purpose of the podcast does not have a definite answer to it because there is no such general rule. Each and every podcast has a different goal, just like a book: every book is different, but you get to learn something new from every book. Most people listen to podcasts because they view them as educational content, if they want to learn about a topic or go in-depth, then they listen to podcasts. Other people listen to podcasts to keep up with the current news, trends, and events.
Podcast Listeners Demographics
The popularity of the podcast is evident in its listeners, which reached a new peak in 2020 at 485 million listeners worldwide. While the market is still expanding, there is an estimated increase to over 800 million users by 2025.
The growth is indeed phenomenal, but there will still be room to grow as new topics will come up. It might be surprising, but podcasts are especially popular among the younger generation of people. And it’s proved by the fact that 44% of listeners aged 26 to 35 said that they love to listen to podcasts.
2021 has blazed a trail in podcasts because a lot of people have adopted podcasts, especially in the U.S. and America. 43% of the U.S. men, and 35% of the women, and it’s the first time in history that women have an all-time high listenership. In the U.S., podcast listeners are usually white. Both Hispanic and Asian populations are taking the lead as have also started to consume podcasts.
Powerful Statistics On Podcasts
The popularity of the podcast market is increasing day by day, and without doubt, podcasts have the best views on the global stage, they are truly the cream of the crop, podcasts capture the attention of a wider audience from various age groups, so let’s discuss the status of the podcast in detail.
- There are 4.25 million podcasts registered every day
Your podcast choices are diverse because there are so many options available in the market today. Every day a whopping 4.25 million podcasts are generated. Apple Podcasts take the lead with more than 2.6 million shows and 87.6 million episodes. Whatever your niche, whether it’s storytelling, self-improvement, crime, drama, or comedy, the podcast world has so much to offer.
- South Korea Takes The Lead In Podcasts
The podcasting magic is real in South Korea. With South Korea having the internet at the speed of lightning, in Seoul, there are communities that love podcasts and they are ready to fuel their creative fire. South Korea is experiencing a surge in its podcast advertisement market, driven by its tech-savvy- population, and the huge popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop. It’s no wonder that South Korea has the biggest podcast listenership worldwide. Along with Sweden, the US, Spain, and Ireland, joining the ranks.
- Podcast Statistics in the UK and US
There are so many genres of podcasts that have popped up and it’s no wonder that podcasts attract a user base from all around the world. But let’s take a moment and discuss some podcast statistics mainly from the United Kingdom. So here’s what you should know about the podcast charts among the UK listeners.
- In the UK 4% of adults listen to podcasts monthly
The podcast’s popularity is reaching a diverse global trend, as there is on-the-go listening with a ton of engaging topics like health, fitness, relationships, comedy, drama, and politics. Podcasts have seeped into the daily lives of people, especially those who want content that is entertaining. A recent survey in Q3,2023, Rajar, shows that precisely one-third of people are hopping on podcasts listening. The survey shows that 32% of UK adults don’t mind making podcasts a part of their routine. It’s just like a regular activity in the UK now.
- 5.8 million people adopted podcasts in 2021
Moving on to the US, there have been significant changes in the podcast market. In 2006, just 22% of Americans were aware of podcasts. But in 2022, the awareness has surged to an impressive 79% of the people familiar with the format. In 2021, 82 million people adopted podcasts, and this number is expected to grow and reach over 100 million listeners by 2024.
4. Apple Podcast Statistics
There are various platforms for podcasts and having so many options makes sense since they can cater to a large audience. However, the Apple Podcast comes at the top of the list. Let’s discuss some Apple Podcast statistics that might be of interest to you.
As of October 2023, the Apple podcast boosted 460.080 active users, and it’s quite an achievement. It is quite certain that these podcasts have 3 to 4 episodes only, and the common pattern of starting and then abandoning a podcast will not be forgotten, as it’s a common habit. Therefore, continuing to contribute to the final number. Furthermore, Apple podcast covers 75% of the podcast market in the United States. This stat is evidence of Apple’s stronghold on the market and its a prominent player in the industry.
The question is, why do people prefer Apple podcasts over others? Well, Apple Podcasts offers a range of benefits. As they allow access to a wide library of podcasts, they have a user-friendly interface that makes it easier to discover and manage the whole app. Apple Podcast is also integrated with other Apple devices and services such as CarPlay, TV, and Apple Watch. If you are a creator, then also you can access basic analytics from Apple Podcasts, which can help you give an idea about your demographics. Apple Podcasts offers automatic updates, global reach, and accessibility features that others do not offer up till now.
5. Spotify Podcast Statistics
It seems that Apple and Spotify are in a tight spot to compete with each other as they have impressive analytics, and it might be fair to look at the podcast statistics first and then judge by yourself. So here are some statistics that we need to check out. Spotify takes pride in its huge podcast production and has reached an impressive 4.7 million views, leaving Apple’s 2.5 million views behind as of January 2023. The podcast index is approved to the vast content arena, and it is directed towards an estimated 4,216180 podcast episodes currently available digitally.
The Spotify listening trend does not stop over here, it soars even higher, as there are remarkable hikes seen. According to the survey from Infinite Dial, reported by Edison Research in 2023, there was an impressive 42% of Americans aged 12 and under, turning to podcasts in the past month. What’s so special about this is that this percentage has been a consistent trend since 2020.
6. Podcast Download Ratio
The number of downloads matters a lot for the success of a podcast. There are certain benchmarks that have to be achieved. So, if you are curious about the download benchmarks, then continue reading this blog to find out some helpful insights.
So there is this thing called a popularity score. If you have a score of 40 or 50, then you are likely to secure a great spot in an official Spotify playlist. It’s like being selected as a nominee for an award. And if your release is unique, then you have a higher chance that you will reach exposure on Spotify. It’s just about hitting the perfect range.
7. Average Podcast Length
The length of the podcast varies according to the genre of the podcast, a podcast can last from 10 minutes to one hour. The standard length of an average podcast is around 20 to 40 minutes, it’s true for 31% of the podcasts. The success of your podcast doesn’t depend on its time duration, instead, it’s the content that matters. A 20 min podcast can have a huge impact while a 60 min might be yawn-inducing.
For instance, if your podcast is aimed at young boys and your theme is geopolitics and history then your time duration should be 15 to 20 min considering young people’s short span of attention.
8. Commitment To Listening Podcast
Back in 2019, around 93% of podcast initiators stayed hooked to the entire podcasts as shown by current data. Also, 80% of podcast lovers watch the entire episode, thanks to their attention span. This shows that podcasts are not only heard but also experienced by a huge number of people.
Three Best Podcasts in 2024
Since we have discussed so much in detail about podcasts you are aware that if there is content there is market. If you are thinking of exploring some genres in podcasts here are some good addictive podcasts you can feast on.
- Serial
Serial’ has been going strong since 2014 and it is a classic for a reason as the first season laid a strong foundation and created an example in the podcast world. It follows a murder case and thanks to the podcast, Adnan Syed was released in 2022. Season three shows us an American courthouse lifestyle and fans are waiting for season 4. No podcast is as influential as “serial”.
- Sounds Like a Cult
Sounds Like A Cult is an addictive and easy-to-listen series hosted by Amanda Montel. It’s around the modern-day cults that we all follow. Starting from the pop culture sensations that allow Vice Franchise’s Momento and Taylor Swift to more light-hearted topics like spiritual scammers and doomsday preppers, each and every topic is covered with genuine interest and in-depth insights. Obviously, there is a touch of humor, without which the podcast is incomplete. Each episode sets out to analyze various groups, asking basic questions like whether are they a cult, if they are not, then what are they, and to what extent, etc.
- Otherworld
People who have shorter spans of attention find it really difficult to settle down for a podcast, but if there is something really interesting, your brain will never ignore it. Otherworld podcast hosted by Jack Wenger with his journalistic-style questions never fails to amaze your brain, and it definitely does the trick. If you are a person who is interested in occult and mysticism, then Otherworld is the best option as it includes all the unexplainable and paranormal circumstances and things presented through first-person narrative. Jack Wenger’s input questions interject and analyze the themes of pyramidal UFOs, demonic entities, witchcraft, secret societies, and unexplained concepts. You can start off with “The Man in the Hat” or “The Black Widow “ to get a taste and idea of this series.
Podcasts And The Advent Of AI
The surge in podcasting has opened new doors for journalists, experts, and storytellers from all around the world. It has brought a different and diversified point of view to the table. However, in this ever-evolving era, technology has its own part to play and it has redesigned the world of podcasts. Artificial intelligence has added to the benefits and convenience of podcasts.
Long before podcasters had to put in long hours to create scripts and detailed notes for their podcast, but today’s AI algorithms and automated software have made this so much easier. You can produce fresh and non-repetitive content and even marketing copy. This has allowed podcasters to focus on delivering efficiency on time. Surprisingly, AI can now also generate voices that are just like humans. It can create virtual guest speakers for specialized topics to narrate text-based articles.
Now podcasters can change their voices to their liking while staying anonymous. If you want to find a suitable topic according to your niche then you don’t have to dedicate hours and search through the web. You can leverage AI-powered tools that seep into the algorithm and bring forward new and attention-grabbing topics. So the next time you get ready to listen to a podcast or are planning to start your own, consider the ways in which AI can help you to make your experience enriching. AI has also made things easier for the deaf community. Automated transcription services seamlessly produce precise text versions of podcast episodes, and they ensure that content is accessible for the deaf and people who find it difficult. Moreover, there are multi-language translation algorithms that enable podcasts to match with a huge audience. They contribute to the enrichment of voices and make other people’s perspectives heard.
Conclusion
The number of podcast listeners around the world is increasing day by day and after video content audio distribution will be the next big thing. One reason podcasts are a popular option is that podcasts are portable and ultra-convenient, they can be heard while driving, sleeping, cooking, and strolling. The avid listeners are evidence of podcasts’ glowing prospects in the near future.
