Podcast Trends to Follow

An astonishing 104 million Americans regularly listen to podcasts, accounting for over one-third of the country (Buzzsprout). And with the most popular podcasts ranging from news and entertainment to true crime, it’s fair to say there’s a podcast for just about everyone out there.

Like any form of media, podcasting is an ever-evolving medium. This means that there are many different podcast trends that come and go, some of them sticking around to become a permanent part of the podcasting world. For podcasters in the making, staying on top of the latest trends is essential – especially if they want to make it in the increasingly competitive industry. 

As fellow podcast enthusiasts and experts in media, we’ve assembled a list of the 2022 podcast trends you need to know about now.

Podcast ads are becoming more widespread.

In the early days of podcasting, advertisements were few and far between. But now, we’re getting more used to hearing quick ad breaks during our favorite podcasts. In 2022, podcast ad revenue is expected to reach $1.33 billion – and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Listeners are impressively receptive to podcast ads as well, with nearly 80% saying they don’t mind advertisements and sponsorship messages. In fact, more than 60% of listeners end up considering certain products or services after learning about them via podcast advertising, which is a major win for advertisers. 

There’s more competition between the podcasting apps.

For years, Apple Podcasts led the pack of top podcast apps. With about 28 million monthly listeners, it maintained a significant lead, that is, until now. 

Spotify has claimed the top spot as the most-used podcast listening app, with several other platforms not far behind. One study showed that the average U.S. podcast listener utilizes around 3 different platforms on a regular basis. This makes it incredibly important for podcasters to publish their podcasts on multiple platforms.

Although Spotify and Apple Podcasts are the definite leaders, there are a variety of other platforms staking their claim as well: Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Pandora, TuneIn, Podchaser, Anchor, and others.

Podcasters are discovering new ways to monetize, moving beyond traditional advertising.

Advertisements have been the primary form of monetization for podcasters, but a growing number of creators are expanding their options. In addition to sponsored content and ads, podcasters are now looking for other ways to generate income.

One example is the Luminary platform, which operates via a model similar to Netflix. Users pay a small monthly fee to access exclusive content, and then Luminary pays podcast hosts to create that content. Some podcasters are also using platforms such as Patreon to offer additional content to their fans, charging varying fees for different “levels” of access.

Live podcasting is growing more popular than ever.

We might imagine podcasters as spending all of their time in a studio, but more and more are actually venturing onto a live stage. With live shows, podcasters are able to increase audience engagement and utilize a new source of revenue at the same time. 

Live podcast shows can be in-person or on a digital platform, with live broadcasting options including Zoom, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitch, and a few others. The actual format of these shows can also vary, largely depending on the style of the show and the podcaster’s creative focus.

Start Your Own Podcast Trends, 2022 and Beyond

Are you interested in learning how to become a professional podcaster? Getting a podcasting job requires talent, passion, and hard work – but if you want to get ahead of your competition, an education in media is a must.

At the Beonair Network of Media Schools, with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, we’ve launched an all-new Digital Media Production program that provides students with a unique perspective on the multi-faceted media industry. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of digital production, publishing, marketing, branding, and more, as well as a myriad of real-world experiences to prepare you for the future. 

Podcasting can be so much more than a hobby; it can turn into your full-time career. Learn more about how to get a job as a podcaster and why media school really does matter: contact our team today!

Featured Image: Shutterstock / Fizkes