Podcast Statistics By Language, Platform, Demographics, Advertising, Impact Of AI, Finance, Frequency And Scheduling

Updated · Mar 04, 2025


TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Editor’s Choice
- What Is A Podcast?
- General Podcast Statistics
- Podcast By Language Statistics
- Podcasting Platform Statistics
- Podcast Listeners Demographics
- Podcast Advertising Trends And Performance Statistics
- Podcast Production Statistics
- Number of Podcast Listeners Statistics
- Impact Of AI on Podcasting
- Apple Podcast Statistics
- Video Podcasting Statistics
- How Do People Listen To Podcasts?
- Podcast Financial Statistics
- Podcast Episode Statistics
- Podcast Listening Habits Statistics
- Top Podcast By Genre On Spotify
- Average Podcast Length Frequency And Scheduling Statistics
- Podcast Engagement Statistics
- Conclusion
Introduction
Podcast Statistics: The popularity of podcasts is growing quickly around the world. By the end of 2024, it’s expected that over 504.9 million people worldwide will listen to podcasts. On average, people spend about seven hours a week listening to their favorite podcasts. Popular platforms like Apple and Spotify draw millions of listeners each day.
By 2025, Apple is likely to have 29.2 million listeners, while Spotify is expected to reach 42.4 million. Let’s take a closer look at more interesting Podcast Statistics and numbers about podcasts and how they are used around the world and in the United States.
Podcasts have become a popular way for people to learn, entertain themselves, and stay updated on various topics. More people listen to podcasts every year, and the industry is growing fast. With millions of episodes available, podcasts cover almost every subject, from news and education to health and storytelling.
This article explores key podcast statistics, including the number of people who listen, their favorite topics, and how podcast trends are changing. It also examines the growth of the podcast industry and how creators make money from their content. Understanding these statistics helps businesses, advertisers, and creators see how podcasts are shaping the way people consume information and entertainment in today’s digital world.
Editor’s Choice
- The number of podcast listeners worldwide is projected to reach 584.1 million in 2025, up from 546.7 million in 2024.
- Apple is likely to have 29.2 million listeners by 2025, while Spotify is expected to reach 42.4 million.
- In the United States, podcast listeners are expected to increase from 109.1 million in 2024 to 114.7 million in 2025.
- Spotify leads as the preferred podcast platform globally, with 37% of listeners, followed by Apple Podcasts at 32.9%.
- As of January 2025, there are approximately 4.3 million podcasts worldwide, offering a vast array of topics and genres.
- In the U.S., 67% of adults aged 18 to 29 listen to podcasts, while 58% of those aged 30 to 49 are listeners.
- On average, podcast listeners spend about 7 hours per week tuning into their favorite shows.
- A significant majority, 86.1% of podcast listeners globally, prefer accessing content via mobile devices.
- American podcast advertising revenue is anticipated to surpass USD 4 billion by 2024, with projections reaching up to USD 12 billion by 2030.
- Nearly one-third of podcast episodes last 20 to 40 minutes, catering to listeners’ preferences for concise content.
- The global podcasting market is projected to reach USD 130.63 billion by 2030.
- There are 4.25 million podcasts available globally. The number of podcast listeners worldwide is expected to reach 504.9 million by 2024.
- 22% feel there are too many ads in podcasts compared to other types of media.
- 51% pay more attention to podcast ads than to ads in other media
- In the US, 62% of people have listened to a podcast.
- Podcast Statistics stated that almost 36.2% of podcast listeners use Apple Podcasts to tune in.
- About 30% of podcasts last between 20 and 40 minutes.
- According to Buzz Sprout, Apple Podcast users are typically between the ages of 35 and 54. Apple Podcasts is the most popular podcast platform, with 37.4% of the market share.
- Worldwide, over 4.25 million podcasts are registered, with Apple Podcasts hosting 2.6 million podcasts and more than 87.6 million episodes available for download.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 58% of adults have subscribed to at least one Podcast with regular content. In the UK, nearly 32% of adults listen to podcasts regularly each month.
- 35% of podcasters use a dynamic microphone, 33% prefer a USB microphone, and 29% choose a condenser microphone. These are the most commonly used types, though the choice depends on the podcaster’s needs.
- There are 2.7 million valid podcasts on Apple Podcasts, with a total of 98.8 million episodes available for download, including older podcasts that may no longer be active.
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What Is A Podcast?
A podcast is an audio program that people can listen to on the internet. It is like a radio show, but you can play it anytime on your phone, computer, or smart speaker. Podcasts cover many topics, such as news, education, health, business, and entertainment. Some podcasts have one person talking, while others have interviews or discussions with guests. New episodes are released regularly, and listeners can subscribe to get updates. Many people enjoy podcasts because they can listen while driving, exercising, or relaxing. Podcasts are a great way to learn new things or enjoy interesting stories.
General Podcast Statistics
- Currently, there are more than two million active podcasts, offering listeners a wide range of choices and over 48 million podcast episodes.
- Just three years ago, there were only about 500,000 podcasts, showing how much the number has grown as more people start podcasts and more listeners join in.
- Around 59% of podcast listeners spend more time listening to podcasts than they do on social media.
- About 69% of listeners say podcast ads have introduced them to new products or services.
- In addition, 38% of listeners have bought something they heard about in a podcast. This shows that podcast ads can lead to actual sales.
- Finally, 32% of Americans listen to podcasts at least once a month.
- 22% feel there are too many ads in podcasts compared to other types of media.
- 51% pay more attention to podcast ads than to ads in other media
- In the U.S., 62% of people have listened to a podcast.
- Podcast Statistics stated that almost 2% of podcast listeners use Apple Podcasts to tune in.
- About 30% of podcasts last between 20 and 40
- According to Buzz Sprout, Apple Podcast users are typically between the ages of 35 and 54. Apple Podcasts is the most popular podcast platform, with 4% of the market share.
- Worldwide, over 25 million podcasts are registered, with Apple Podcasts hosting 2.6 million podcasts and more than 87.6 million episodes available for download.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 58% of adults have subscribed to at least one Podcast with regular content.
- In the UK, nearly 32% of adults listen to podcasts regularly each month.
- 35% of podcasters use a dynamic microphone, 33% prefer a USB microphone, and 29% choose a condenser microphone. These are the most commonly used types, though the choice depends on the podcaster’s needs.
- Apple Podcasts has 5 million monthly listeners, and by October 2023, there were 460,080 active podcasts available.
(Reference: thepodcasthost.com)
- As of 2023, there are 464.7 million podcast listeners worldwide. This number is expected to grow to 504.9 million by the end of 2024.
- The podcast industry is projected to be worth USD 23.56 billion in 2023.
- There are more than five million podcasts, with over 70 million episodes available.
- The United States has the largest number of podcast listeners in the world. By 2023, over 100 million people in the US are expected to listen to podcasts.
- Scandinavian countries have the highest podcast usage rates.
- Around 25% of Americans get their news through podcasts.
- During the pandemic, smart speaker sales increased by 22%, and they are now one of the most popular ways to listen to podcasts.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 78% of people in the US are familiar with podcasts, and 28% listen to them every week.
- A total of 160 million Americans have listened to a podcast at least once.
- 91% of Australians are aware of podcasts.
- Most people listen to audiobooks in the morning, and most of them use mobile phones to do so.
Podcast By Language Statistics
- Podcasts are growing in variety and are available in more than 100 languages.
- Still, English-language podcasts dominate, making up 60.38% of all podcasts.
Rank | Language | Number | Proportion |
21 |
Others | 76,934 | 2.6% |
20 | Tamil | 6,799 |
0.23% |
19 |
Farsi | 7,749 | 0.26% |
18 | Norwegian | 8,613 |
0.29% |
17 |
Danish | 9,815 | 0.33% |
16 | Polish | 10,245 |
0.35% |
15 |
Turkish | 11,272 | 0.38% |
14 | Arabic | 12,570 |
0.43% |
13 |
Swedish | 14,679 | 0.5% |
12 | Dutch | 19,891 |
0.67% |
11 |
Russian | 24,899 | 0.84% |
10 | Hindi | 26,708 |
0.9% |
09 |
Japanese | 29,208 | 0.99% |
08 | Italian | 29,735 |
1.01% |
07 |
Chinese | 50,239 | 1.7% |
06 | French | 59,961 |
2.03% |
05 |
German | 78,904 | 2.67% |
04 | Indonesian | 141,771 |
4.79% |
03 |
Portuguese | 205,381 | 6.94% |
02 | Spanish | 346,990 |
11.73% |
01 |
English | 1,786,269 |
60.38% |
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Podcasting Platform Statistics
- The most popular RSS podcast hosting platform is Anchor FM.
- Anchor FM is a free podcast platform provided by Spotify. It allows users to create, share, and earn money from their podcasts. With 1.79 million podcasts hosted, it holds a 55.8% share of the market.
(Reference: toneisland.com)
- Buzzsprout is in second place with around 199,000 podcasts, making up 6.2% of the market, while Soundcloud is third with 126,000 podcasts and holds a 3.9% market share.
- According to Buzzsprout’s podcast statistics, Apple Podcasts had about 42.65 million podcast downloads in January 2024 out of a total of 115.5 million downloads across all platforms. This gives Apple Podcasts a 36.9% share of the download market.
- Spotify comes in second with a 33.3% share of the downloads. Web Browsers are third with 5.1%, while Apple iTunes and Google Podcasts each have 2.9% of the market.
Podcast Listeners Demographics
- In 2024, 59% of individuals aged 12-34 will be monthly podcast listeners,55% of those aged 35-54 will listen monthly, and 27% of the 55+ age group will be monthly listeners.
- 45% of women and 48% of men in the U.S. have listened to a podcast in the past month.
- 48% of Black Americans are monthly podcast listeners, and 43% of Latino Americans tune in monthly.
- Meanwhile, 49% of monthly podcast listeners have a college degree or higher.
- 56% of monthly listeners have an annual household income exceeding USD 75,000.
- Weekly listeners consume an average of 8.3 podcast episodes per week.
- 73% of podcast listeners use smartphones to tune in.
- Approximately 49% of podcast consumption occurs at home.
- In the United States, the age groups of podcast listeners in 2023 are: 36% are 12-34 years old, 30% are 35-54 years old, and 34% are over 55 years old.
(Source: podbean.com)
- Gen Z finds podcasts twice as quickly as other age groups. Younger listeners are also more likely to engage with podcasts, such as by following the Podcast or its host(s) on social media or by trying something new (like watching a movie or changing a habit) because of something they heard on a podcast.
For Gen Z:
- 47% listen to podcasts at least once a month
- 28% listen to podcasts almost every day
- 21% listen to podcasts for more than 10 hours a week
- 83% have recommended a podcast to friends or family
- Mental health is a top concern for Gen Z, and podcasts offer them a space to explore these topics.
- Podcast Statistics stated that Gen Z is more likely to take action and interact with brands after hearing podcast ads.
(Reference: firstsiteguide.com)
- 63% of kids aged 6-12 know what podcasts are.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 46% of kids in this age group have listened to podcasts before.
- 74% agree that podcasts make family car trips more fun.
- 94% of kids aged 6-12 who listened to a podcast in the last month say they learned something new from them.
(Reference: firstsiteguide.com)
- In recent years, men have generally listened to podcasts more often than women.
- However, in 2023, more women are starting to listen to podcasts.
- Still, both men and women make up a large share of podcast listeners, creating a fairly equal audience between the two.
Podcast Advertising Trends And Performance Statistics
- Podcasting is a great marketing tool for large companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their audience.
- 72% of listeners who have been listening to podcasts for four or more years have bought something from a sponsored ad.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 69% of people say podcast ads help them learn more about products, brands, and services.
- 81% of listeners pay more attention to podcast ads than to ads on radio, TV, billboards, or even social media.
(Source: market.us)
- The Global Podcast Advertising Market is projected to grow from USD 12.7 billion in 2023 to USD 43 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 14.5%.
- In 2023, podcast advertising revenue in the United States is anticipated to reach nearly USD 2.8 billion, a 27% increase from 2022.
- US podcasting revenue is expected to exceed approximately USD 2.6 billion by 2024.
- Host-read advertisements dominate the market, capturing a revenue share of 58.7%.
- Direct-response ads hold the major revenue share at 64.8% in the market.
- The news & politics genre secures a major revenue share of 26.2% in the podcast advertising market.
- The BFSI industry dominates the end-use market with a major revenue share of 15.8%.
- The number of brands investing in podcast advertising is expected to grow by 35% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
- Podcast advertisements have led to 63% of listeners being more inclined to consider purchasing advertised products or services.
- After hearing a podcast advertisement, 54% of listeners took action, such as visiting a website or making a purchase.
- 75% of podcast listeners report paying close attention to podcast advertisements.
- 80% of podcast listeners show a preference for host-read advertisements.
- 72% of podcast listeners prefer ads that align with the content and theme of the podcast.
- 69% of listeners are more attentive to podcast ads than traditional radio or TV commercials.
- 65% of podcast listeners have household incomes above approximately USD 75,000.
- 55% of podcast fans have made a purchase based on a podcast advertisement.
- There are over 2,000,000 podcasts available, featuring more than 48 million episodes.
- 49% believe podcast hosts use the products they talk about.
- Ads that are not read by the podcast host (pre-recorded ads) are the least liked by Super Listeners.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 30% said they want fewer ads in podcasts.
- 22% feel there are too many ads in podcasts compared to other types of media.
- 51% pay more attention to podcast ads than to ads in other media.
- They are 48% more likely to consider a brand after hearing an ad on a smart speaker than on other platforms.
- 37% said they would be likely to ask for more details if they could interact with an ad through their smart speaker.
- 80% believe brands that advertise on smart speakers are innovative.
Podcast Production Statistics
(Reference: techreport.com)
- RODE is the most popular microphone brand among 19% of podcasters. It is known for its excellent sound quality and clarity.
- The Blue Yeti microphone by Blue Microphones is used by 17% of podcasters. It’s also a favourite of many content creators because of its great performance.
- 35% of podcasters use a dynamic microphone, 33% prefer a USB microphone, and 29% choose a condenser microphone. These are the most commonly used types, though the choice depends on the podcaster’s needs.
- 36% of podcasters use a pop filter, while 26% use a foam windscreen. These tools help prevent unwanted noise and protect the microphone.
- 74% of podcasters wear headphones while recording to listen to their audio quality in real time. The remaining podcasters choose not to wear them.
- 67% of podcasters use recording software like Audacity or Audition on their computers. These programs help create better audio for listeners.
- Blubrry is one of the most popular podcast-hosting platforms. It’s also helpful for analyzing data and fixing any network problems.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 48% of podcasters use Audacity to edit and fix issues with their podcasts. Nearly half of all podcasters rely on this software to improve their recordings.
- Adobe Audition is the second most popular podcast editing tool. Many podcasters prefer it because it’s a trusted Adobe product known for high-quality results.
- All podcasters use an RSS feed to deliver their episodes to listeners. This feed keeps their audience updated with new podcast content.
Number of Podcast Listeners Statistics
- As of the most recent data, there are 504.9 million podcast listeners around the world, which accounts for 23.5% of all internet users. The number of people listening to podcasts has grown by more than 40 million in the last year.
(Reference: statista.com)
- Here’s a look at the expected growth of podcast listeners through 2024:
Year | Podcast Listeners | Change over the previous year | % of Interest users |
2024 (projected) |
504.9 million | ↑ 8.6% | 23.5% |
2023 | 464.7 million | ↑ 9.6% |
22% |
2022 |
424.2 million | ↑ 10.6% | 20.3% |
2021 | 383.7 million | ↑ 15.5% |
18.7% |
2020 |
332.2 million | ↑ 20.9% | 16.5% |
2019 | 274.8 million | ↑ 22.6% |
14.4% |
Impact Of AI on Podcasting
- The global AI in podcasting market size is expected to reach USD 26,599.1 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 28.3% from USD 2,200.9 million in 2023 during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.
- By 2024, the market for AI-enabled podcasting is anticipated to be worth USD 3 billion.
- In 2023, the software segment was the largest in the AI podcasting market, holding over 60% of the market share.
- The cloud-based segment led the AI podcasting market in 2023, comprising over 75% of the market share.
- In 2023, the content curation segment captured more than 30% of the AI podcasting market share.
- The machine learning (ML) segment accounted for more than 28% of the AI podcasting market share in 2023.
- The interview-based segment was the largest in 2023, with over 40% of the AI podcasting market share.
- North America held the largest market share in the AI podcasting market in 2023, with more than 34.6%.
- Approximately 40% of podcasters used AI technologies to enhance their productions in 2023.
- Nearly 57% of podcast listeners utilized AI-powered features, such as personalized recommendations and voice control.
- AI technologies can reduce operational costs for podcast creators by up to 50%.
- About 85% of people are comfortable with podcasters using AI tools to create content.
- AI-driven podcasts experienced a growth of 500% in 2022.
- AI-powered advertisements can increase click-through rates by 100%.
- AI tools have increased account visits by 24.4% and clicks by nearly 25% on average.
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Apple Podcast Statistics
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 52% of podcast listeners find new podcasts by searching through podcast directories.
- About 30% of listeners are subscribed to 6 to 10 podcasts.
- According to Infinite Dial, the least number of podcast listeners who tune in each week is 6, with 18% of listeners listening to more than six podcasts weekly.
- 63% of podcast listeners have full-time jobs.
- Almost 51% of podcast listeners worldwide are male, while 49% are female.
- Most podcast listeners around the world have a 4-year college degree. 27% have completed a 4-year degree, and 30% have attended graduate school.
- Around 45% of podcast listeners have a household income of USD 75,000 or more.
- 77% of podcast listeners click on a podcast and begin listening to it immediately.
(Reference: coolest-gadgets.com)
- In 2024, Apple Podcasts will be the second most popular podcast app, holding a 26.9% market share.
- Apple Podcasts has added nine new categories, such as language learning, parenting, books, personal journals, relationships, and more.
- There are around 71.1 million episodes available on Apple Podcasts. The “Spirituality and Religion” category has the most episodes, with 8.4 million. “Culture and Society” follows with 3.8 million episodes, and “Business” has 3.4 million episodes.
(Source: theb2bhouse.com)
- Google Podcasts has just 3.6% of the podcast download share, while iHeartRadio holds 6.2% of the market in 2024.
- Apple Podcasts attracts listeners from all age groups, with 43% of users.
- The Bill Simmons Podcast is the most popular sports podcast in 2024.
- Apple takes a 30% cut from subscription fees in the first year.
Video Podcasting Statistics
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 64% of podcast listeners think YouTube provides a better podcast experience than just audio formats.
- With YouTube Podcasts now available, many listeners prefer an audio-visual experience.
(Reference: statista.com)
- YouTube offers features like likes and comments, allowing users to interact with each other and their favorite creators more easily. This also allows for real-time feedback, creating a stronger sense of community than audio-only platforms.
- 48% of podcast listeners find new podcasts on YouTube.
- After the closure of Google Podcasts, YouTube has become a popular platform for podcasts. It has five times more users than traditional podcast platforms, offering a big chance for creators and brands to reach a wider audience.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 54% of people recognize a video as a podcast because it has “podcast” in the title, and 51% identify it by the studio setting and microphones.
- Although video podcasts are gaining popularity, it can be hard to define what makes a video a podcast.
(Reference: quillpodcasting.com)
- 70% of viewers like to see hosts and guests together in a live studio when watching video podcasts.
- 75% of people believe a podcast should be described as either “audio or video.”
How Do People Listen To Podcasts?
- Most people listen to podcasts using their smartphones and play episodes through popular apps like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
- Around 13% of Americans listen to podcasts on a desktop or laptop.
- 28% of US adults listen to podcasts while driving.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 73% of listeners use their smartphones to listen to podcasts.
- 32% of people aged 18 and older who drove in the past month listened to podcasts during their drive.
- 18% of adults aged 18 and older own a car with a smart entertainment system.
- 49% of podcast listening happens at home.
- According to Edison Research, younger people often listen to podcasts on their TVs while doing housework.
(Reference: market.us)
- The most popular time for listening to podcasts is between 10 am and 2 pm, with 26% tuning in during this time. The next most popular time is before 10 am at 25%.
Other popular times for listening include:
- 2 pm – 6 pm | 21%
- 6 pm – 10 pm | 15%
- 10 pm – 2 am | 11%
Podcast Financial Statistics
- The global podcasting market was valued in 2024 at around USD 34.89 billion. By 2032, the market could be worth USD 133.9 billion.
- Here’s a look at the expected growth of the podcasting market in the coming years.
Year | Podcasting Market Value |
2032 |
USD 133.9 billion |
2026 |
USD 57.23 billion |
2025 |
USD 44.63 billion |
2024 |
USD 34.89 billion |
2023 |
USD 27.31 billion |
- Podcast advertising revenue worldwide is expected to reach about USD 4.02 billion by 2024.
- Podcasts are great for ads because they are longer, which makes them a good way to earn money.
- With the growing popularity of podcasts, ad revenue is expected to reach USD 4.02 billion by 2024.
- This number is projected to grow by 6.95% annually from 2024 to 2028, reaching USD 5.26 billion by 2028.
- The podcast industry in the United States is growing rapidly. In 2015, the ad revenue was only USD 105.7 million, but it is expected to hit USD 3 billion by 2024.
- This growth is happening at an average rate of 45.3% per year from 2015 to 2025, and it is projected to reach USD 4 billion by 2025.
- The number of people listening to podcasts is increasing fast, and that means more money for podcast ads.
- By 2023, the ad revenue in the US is expected to reach USD 2.3 billion, which is a 24.8% increase from the previous year.
- By 2024, ad revenue is expected to hit USD 4 billion. Interestingly, while the total digital ad market grew by 12% in 2022, podcast ads grew by 26%.
Here’s a breakdown of ad revenue by podcast category in the US:
- Sports: 15%
- Society & Culture: 14%
- Comedy: 14%
- News & Politics: 12%
Podcast Episode Statistics
- There are roughly 150 million podcast episodes, with each Podcast having an average of 50 episodes.
- About half of all podcast episodes receive fewer than 29 downloads in their first week after being published.
- Spotify and Apple Podcasts are the leading podcast platforms.
- Podcast Statistics stated that Spotify has around 4.7 million podcasts, while Apple Podcasts has 2.5 million as of January 2023.
- Podcast Index estimates there are around 4,101,163 podcast episodes in total.
- Here’s the breakdown of how often shows are being published:
Period | No. of Published Podcast Shows |
Last 90 Days | 448,929 |
Last 60 Days | 395,975 |
Last 30 Days | 330,553 |
Last 10 Days | 230,183 |
Last 3 Days | 82,756 |
Podcast Listening Habits Statistics
- On average, podcast listeners spend about seven hours each week on their favorite podcast apps.
- Most people listen to podcasts in the morning.
- 73% of people use their smartphones to listen to podcasts, making it the most popular device.
- After smartphones, only 13% of people listen on laptops or desktop computers.
- Nearly 60% of listeners multitask while listening to podcasts, doing other activities at the same time.
- Half (48%) of American podcast listeners still need to finish their episodes, while 52% listen to the entire episode.
- However, 41% of listeners get through most of the podcast episodes, and only 2% stop listening right away.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 59% of podcast listeners listen to podcasts at home.
- 32% of listeners enjoy podcasts while driving or traveling.
- About 32% of 18-year-olds also listen to podcasts in their cars at least once a month.
- Spotify is the most popular podcast platform, but only 8.9% of its users download podcasts.
- In comparison, more than 70% of podcast downloads happen on Apple Podcasts.
- In the United States, 74% of podcast listeners say they listen to podcasts to learn something new.
- 71% of people listen for entertainment, 60% to keep up with the latest trends, and 51% for relaxation.
- Audio quality is important to listeners, with 51.1% preferring podcasts with high-quality sound.
Top Podcast By Genre On Spotify
- Comedy and News podcasts make up 43% of all podcast genres on Spotify.
- Here are some key details about the most popular podcast genres on Spotify:
- Comedy is the most popular genre in the United States, with a 22% share of the market.
- Below is a table showing the top podcast genres in the United States:
Genre | Share of Genre |
Scripted Drama | 8% |
Pop Culture | 9% |
Game Show | 10% |
Scripted Comedy | 13% |
Finances | 13% |
Investigative Journalism | 15% |
Self-Help Productivity | 16% |
Politics | 16% |
Health/Faith | 17% |
Sports | 17% |
True Crime | 18% |
News | 21% |
Comedy | 22% |
- In the United States, The Joe Rogan Experience is the most popular comedy podcast.
- Here’s a list of the top 10 comedy podcasts in the US:
Rank | Podcast |
10 | The Basement Yard |
9 | Smartness |
8 | Morbid |
7 | 2 Bears, 1 Cave With Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer |
6 | Armchair Experts With Dax Shepard |
5 | Call Her Daddy |
4 | Distractible |
3 | Bad Dates With Jameela Jamil |
2 | This Past Weekend |
1 | The Joe Rogen Experience |
Average Podcast Length Frequency And Scheduling Statistics
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 38% of podcasters release a new episode every 3 to 7 days. These podcasters publish episodes regularly, but not more than once a week.
- 39% of podcasters post new episodes every 8 to 14 days. They release episodes less often but still make sure to publish within two weeks.
- The typical podcast length is between 25 and 30 minutes. Since people often have short attention spans, longer podcasts might lose listeners, while shorter ones might leave them wanting more. This is why most podcasts fall within this time range.
- 40% of podcast listeners find new shows through directories. These apps help users choose the podcasts that best match their interests.
- 3% of listeners ask friends and family for podcast recommendations. Many people trust their close ones’ suggestions when finding new podcasts.
- Apple Podcasts is the most popular podcast directory and chart. Since Apple is a trusted brand, most users rely on it to discover podcasts.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 47% of users listen to a podcast within 24 hours of downloading it. These listeners are quick to start, likely because they are interested in the content.
- A typical podcast gets 141 downloads within its first month. Most podcasts get over 100 downloads in the first 30 days, regardless of genre.
- The most common Podcast publishing frequency is 8 to 14 days (39%). This schedule works for most podcasters.
Podcast Engagement Statistics
- As of October 2023, there were more than 3 million podcasts and nearly 180 million episodes available to listen to. This is more than what is offered by all TV and streaming services combined.
- A 2023 study found that 30% of all podcast listening hours on Spotify were spent on comedy podcasts, making them the most popular genre.
Other popular podcast genres include:
- Society and Culture: 18% of listening time
- Lifestyle and Health: 15% of listening time
- True Crime: 10% of listening time
- Educational: 7% of listening time
According to Buzzsprout, the most common podcast length in June 2024 was between 20 and 40 minutes, with 32% of about 124,000 active podcasts fitting this length. The stats have stayed pretty consistent since 2021:
- 22% of podcasts last between 40 and 60 minutes.
- 16% are less than 10 minutes long.
- 16% are over 60 minutes long.
- 15% are between 10 and 20 minutes long.
Also, 40% of podcasts released episodes every 8 to 14 days in 2024. Other release schedules were:
- 34% published episodes every 3 to 7 days.
- 19% published episodes every 15 to 29 days.
- 6% published episodes every 2 days.
- 1% published episodes every 30 days or more.
(Source: whop.com)
- 78% of podcast listening happened on weekdays, from Monday to Friday.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 71% of listeners tuned in while commuting or traveling, between 8 am and 5 pm.
- 71% also listened while doing household chores.
- Around 43% of listeners enjoyed podcasts while relaxing.
- 34% listened while exercising.
- Podcasts in Religion & Spirituality, Arts, History, Health & Fitness, Science, and Fiction were more popular during the morning and late night.
- Podcasts in the Leisure (like Games & Hobbies) and Kids & Family categories were more popular during the evening.
- Regarding listener engagement, 73% of listeners said they liked interacting with their favorite podcast hosts.
- Asking listeners questions boosted engagement 2.5 times.
- Personalized questions led to 8.7 times more interaction.
When it comes to discovering new podcasts:
- 54% of listeners found new podcasts through shows they already followed.
- 53% received recommendations from friends and family.
- 50% discovered podcasts by browsing Spotify.
- 42% found podcasts through social media.
- 15% came across podcasts by reading articles, blogs, or newsletters.
- 12% found podcasts through podcast charts.
Discovery methods also varied by age group:
- Gen Z was 1.5 times more likely to turn to social media to find new podcasts.
- Gen X and Boomers preferred to find podcasts through articles, blogs, and newsletters.
As for how listeners typically find podcasts:
- 40% used their podcast app’s directory.
- 3% relied on recommendations.
- Podcast Statistics stated that nearly 15.2% asked on social media or in online groups.
- 6% used Google.
- 13% browsed podcast charts or featured sections.
Conclusion
Podcasts have become a major part of how people learn, stay informed, and find entertainment. With millions of listeners worldwide, the podcast industry continues to grow. Different age groups, backgrounds, and interests shape the way people engage with podcasts. Technology and easy access through smartphones have made listening more popular than ever.
As more creators and businesses invest in podcasting, the industry will likely expand even further. Podcasts are not just a trend; they are a powerful way to share stories, knowledge, and ideas with the world.
Sources
FAQ.
There is no set number of listeners needed to earn money from your Podcast. However, most brands and sponsors tend to focus on podcasts that have at least 1,000 listeners. Some podcast hosting platforms also have rules that determine when you can start earning revenue.
The most popular podcasts usually last between 20 to 40 minutes. Some other popular podcasts can be around 60 minutes or longer per episode. There is no set rule for how long your Podcast should be.

Saisuman is a talented content writer with a keen interest in mobile tech, new gadgets, law, and science. She writes articles for websites and newsletters, conducting thorough research for medical professionals. Fluent in five languages, her love for reading and languages led her to a writing career. With a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Human Resources, Saisuman has worked in HR and with a French international company. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and singing classical songs. At Coolest Gadgets, Saisuman reviews gadgets and analyzes their statistics, making complex information easy for readers to understand.