71 Podcast Stats & Trends You Need To Know For 2024

From blogs to videos, there are countless ways to express yourself or build your online brand. 

One powerful platform that often gets overlooked is podcasting. 

In recent years, podcasts have exploded in popularity, with more creators launching shows and even more listeners tuning in. 

Today, there’s a podcast out there for everyone, no matter your interests. 

To show just how much podcasts have grown, we’ve put together some key podcast stats for 2024. You’ll learn about their global popularity, the top platforms listeners are using, and much more.

Top Podcast Statistics

The podcasting world is thriving, with millions of people listening to podcasts for entertainment and learning. Going through all the stats will give you great insights to help your podcast grow. 

But if you’re short on time, here are some key podcast stats you need to know.

1. There are over 464 million podcast listeners around the world, and this number is expected to reach 504.9 million by 2024.

2. On average, listeners spend about 7 hours a week enjoying their favorite podcasts.

3. Episodes that are 20-40 minutes long are the most popular, fitting well with busy schedules and shorter attention spans.

4. Podcast listening is popular among both men and women, with women slightly ahead at 48% compared to 43% for men.

5. As of 2023, 64% of Americans have listened to a podcast at least once. That’s about 183 million people, up from 57% in 2021.

6. In the U.S., 50% of monthly podcast listeners are between the ages of 12 and 34, 43% are between 35 and 54, and 22% are over 55.

7. The top podcast publisher globally in June 2024 was iHeart Audience Network, with 646.8 million streams, views, and downloads. Acast came in second with over 365 million.

8. Norway has the highest percentage of podcast buyers at 37%, followed by India, while Japan ranks the lowest.

9. Most people listen to podcasts on their smartphones (73%), while only 13% use laptops or desktops.

10. As of January 2023, Spotify had nearly 5 million podcasts, while Apple Podcasts had 2.5 million.

11. In the first half of 2023, 30% of podcast listening on Spotify was for comedy, and 18% was for society and culture content.

12. According to Keywords Everywhere, the top three most-searched podcast-related terms on Google are “Podcast Adobe,” “Google Podcast,” and “Apple Podcast.”

Podcast Audience Growth and Trends Statistics

Podcasting wasn’t always as popular as it is now. But interest from both creators and listeners keeps growing rapidly. 

Take a look at these podcast stats that highlight how much this medium has expanded over the years and what the future might hold:

12. Back in 2018, there were just over 500,000 podcasts worldwide. Now, that number has jumped to over 2 million, showing how much podcasting has grown in recent years.

13. The number of podcast listeners around the world has also seen huge growth. In 2019, there were about 274.8 million listeners, and by 2023, that number reached 464.7 million. It’s expected to hit 504.9 million listeners by 2024.

14. The United States leads the world in podcast listeners, with 40% of internet users tuning in. Following the U.S., Sweden has 34.6% of users listening to podcasts monthly, Norway has 34.2%, Australia has 33.2%, and Canada has 32.8%.

15. In the U.S., the percentage of people ages 12 and older who listened to a podcast in the past month grew from 12% in 2013 to 42% in 2023. Weekly listenership also saw a rise—jumping from 7% in 2013 to 31% in 2023, highlighting the steady growth in podcast engagement.

16. The podcasting market is booming, too. Back in 2022, the global market was valued at USD 21.4 billion and is expected to skyrocket to around USD 233.9 billion by 2032, with an estimated annual growth rate of 27.8% from 2023 to 2032. 

Podcast Listener Demographics Statistics

When it comes to podcasts, it’s fascinating to see who is tuning in. If you’re thinking about starting your own podcast, understanding your target audience from the start is key. 

These podcast stats give you a clear picture of your listeners—their age, gender, favorite genres, and much more:

17. As of 2023, 48% of podcast listeners worldwide are between 12-34 years old, 35% are 35-54, and 18% are over 55. In the U.S., the split is 36% (12-34), 30% (35-54), and 34% (55+).

18. A 2022 Edison Research study found that half (50%) of U.S. listeners aged 12-34 tuned into a podcast in the last 30 days, while 43% of those aged 35-54 did the same, making this group the fastest-growing segment.

19. When looking at gender, 56% of U.S. podcast listeners are male, and about 44% are female. In the U.K., the split is 53% male and 47% female. In Australia, it’s 56% male and 44% female, and in Canada, it’s 54% male and 46% female.

20. Over a quarter (25%) of Americans aged 55 and older listen to podcasts each month.

21. Gen Z is diving into podcasts at double the rate of other age groups—47% listen monthly, 28% nearly every day, 21% for over 10 hours a week, and 83% recommend podcasts to friends and family.

22. Among kids aged 6-12, 63% know about podcasts, 46% have listened to one, and 74% say podcasts make car rides more fun. Around 29% listen monthly, and 87% share what they learn with others.

23. Podcast awareness is growing—84% of people in the U.S. know about podcasts, up from 75% in 2020, steadily increasing each year.

Podcast Listening Habits Statistics

To understand why podcasts have become so popular, it’s crucial to dive into where, when, and how people tune in, and what they’re often doing while listening. 

These podcast stats will give you a clear view of listening habits and preferences, shedding light on how and why people are making podcasts a regular part of their lives.

24. Smartphones are the preferred device for podcast listening, and they are used by 75% of people. Laptops and desktops are used by only 13%.

25. Most listeners, 71% use headphones for privacy, while 29% listen through speakers with others.

26. To find new podcasts, 40% use their app’s directory, 18.3% ask friends for recommendations, 15.2% look for suggestions on social media or online communities, 13.6% search on Google, and 13% browse podcast charts or featured sections.

27. 59% of people listen to podcasts while doing other tasks, 32% listen during driving or traveling, and 59% listen at home.

28. A solid 74% of podcast listeners tune in to learn new things. Others listen for entertainment, staying updated, relaxation, or inspiration.

29. Almost 50% of non-listeners either don’t know where to find podcasts or feel overwhelmed by the many options.

30. The peak listening time is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with 26% of people tuning in and 25% listening before 10 a.m.

31. Most listeners engage with at least 6 podcasts per week, with 18% listening to more than 6.

32. 63% of podcast listeners have full-time jobs, and a majority hold a four-year college degree. About 27% have completed this degree, and 30% have pursued graduate studies. Around 45% of podcast listeners have a household income of $75,000 or more.

Popular Podcast Genres and Platforms Statistics

Podcasts come in all kinds of genres, offering something for everyone’s taste and interest. Whether you’re into true crime, storytelling, comedy, education, or business, there’s a podcast out there for you. 

Most of these shows are available on popular platforms like Spotify and Apple, giving listeners a wide range of choices. 

Let’s dive into some key stats about podcast genres and the platforms where they’re available.

33. Comedy leads the way as the top choice for 22% of US podcast listeners who tune in for a good laugh. Not far behind are news, true crime, and sports, showing just how varied people’s tastes are.

34. When it comes to true crime, it’s a big hit too. About 34% of US adults who listened to podcasts in the last year regularly tune in to true crime shows. Interestingly, women are almost twice as likely as men to be drawn to this genre.

35. Apple Podcasts hosts an impressive 460,536 active podcasts as of June 2024. But here’s the catch—almost half of them have only three or fewer episodes. This suggests that many podcasters start strong but quickly give up, inflating the numbers.

36. Spotify takes the crown as the top podcast platform, holding a 33.7% share of the market. Apple Podcasts isn’t far behind, with a solid 27.6% share, especially popular among iOS users.

37. Other key players include iHeartRadio with 6.2%, Google Podcasts with 3.6%, Amazon Music with 2.7%, and CastBox with 1.5%.

38. As of January 2023, Spotify had nearly 5 million podcast titles on its platform, while Apple Podcasts had 2.5 million.

39. In 2022, about 32.5 million Americans listened to podcasts on Spotify, compared to 28.5 million on Apple. By 2025, these numbers are expected to rise to 42.4 million for Spotify and 29.2 million for Apple.

40. Despite Spotify being the most popular platform for streaming, Apple Podcasts dominates downloads, with over 70% of all podcast downloads happening there. Spotify, on the other hand, accounts for only 8.9% of downloads.

41. As for the most popular podcasts in the US on Spotify in 2024, they are The Martyr Made Podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, Synced, The Tucker Carlson Show, and The LOL Podcast. 

If you’re curious, you can check out the top podcasts in each country on Spotify’s podcast charts.

42. On Apple, the top shows as of September 2024 are So Supernatural, The Tucker Carlson Show, The Daily, Autocracy in America, and Crime Junkie. 

Video Podcast Statistics

Lately, video podcasts, or “vodcasts,” have become quite popular. They offer a unique mix of audio and visual content that appeals to a wide range of people. 

This rise in video podcasts is part of the overall growth in the podcasting world. Big platforms like Spotify and Apple have added video podcast features, showing there’s a big opportunity in this space. 

Here are some key stats about video podcasts:

43. Spotify now hosts over 250,000 video podcast shows, up from just 100,000 in 2023.

44. More than 170 million users have watched a video podcast on Spotify, and over 70% of them are actively watching these videos in the foreground.

45. In the U.S., almost 1 in 3 Spotify users who listen to podcasts every month also watch video podcasts. Globally, nearly 1 in 4 do the same. The number of people worldwide engaging with video podcasts on Spotify has grown by 40% compared to last year.

46. The number of creators posting video content each month has also jumped by nearly 70% over the past year.

47. The U.S., Brazil, and Mexico are the top countries where creators are publishing video podcasts.

48. In places like Brazil and the Philippines, about 20% of all podcast creators each month are putting out videos, which is almost double compared to last year.

49. In certain markets, such as Chile and Brazil, video podcasts are making up a bigger chunk of the total time people spend listening to podcasts. In Chile, video podcasts account for a quarter of all podcast hours, while in Brazil, they make up over 15%.

Podcast Marketing and Advertising Statistics

Podcast ads are on the rise, and it’s clear that advertisers see great value in this space. 

Podcasts attract a wide range of listeners of all ages and interests, making it easier for marketers to reach their target audience. 

Plus, podcast listeners are highly engaged—whether they’re driving, cooking, or doing chores, they’re paying attention. 

Research shows that podcast ads are more memorable than digital ads and often lead to better conversion rates. 

Here are some key stats that highlight why podcasts are a must-have in every marketer’s strategy:

50. In the U.S. alone, podcast ad revenue is expected to top $3.92 billion by 2025. Advertisers can sponsor individual episodes or even entire seasons of a podcast.

51. A survey shows that 62% of podcast listeners are likely to buy a product or service they hear about on a podcast. More than half listeners say they are more inclined to purchase something from a brand after hearing a podcast ad.

52. Millennials are the most likely to buy products or services they hear about on podcasts, according to a survey of U.S. podcast listeners by Morning Consult. Podcast ads are also especially effective for listeners who earn over $100,000 a year, making them more likely to make a purchase.

53. Podcast ads are highly effective at capturing attention: 64% of listeners focus entirely on them, and 95% take action afterward. Additionally, 77% of listeners say they make smarter decisions because of what they’ve heard in a podcast.

54. Podcasts attract a diverse audience, with Millennials leading the way, Gen Z listeners rapidly growing, and listeners over 55 increasing by 22% in the last two years. This wide variety of listeners gives brands the chance to reach many different groups.

55. Advertisers are set to spend $2.28 billion on podcasts in 2024, which is a 15.9% increase from the previous year, according to a March 2024 EMARKETER forecast. Of that amount, 9.3%, or $211.9 million, will be spent through programmatic buying.

56. In the U.S., Spotify’s podcast ad revenue is expected to reach $255.8 million in 2024, while iHeartMedia’s will be even higher at $435.4 million.

57. By 2026, spending on podcast ads is predicted to exceed $3 billion, making up 35% of the total spend on digital audio services.

58. Ad formats range from short 15- to 60-second spots to more customized segments or even sponsoring full episodes. Plus, 46% of listeners say podcast ads are “not intrusive at all” compared to other ad formats.

59. In 2021, AI technology helped 80% of marketers spend more time on creative tasks related to podcasting.

60. About 60% of advertisers are considering using AI to create more personalized podcast ad experiences.

Podcaster Statistics

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast to boost your personal brand or your business, it’s key to understand a few things first—like how much podcasters are making, how they promote their shows, when and where they post, and more. 

Here are some important stats you should know before launching your own podcast:

61. Joe Rogan is considered the most popular podcaster out there. His show, The Joe Rogan Experience, has released 2,355 episodes over 14 years. The top 10 most-watched episodes on YouTube alone have racked up about 368 million views.

62. According to Keywords Everywhere, anything related to Joe Rogan has a high search volume on Google, showing how popular famous podcasters are and how much fans look them up. This helps podcasters build a strong personal brand and make money from it.

63. When it comes to podcasting tasks, 45% of podcasters say that promotion and marketing are their main responsibilities, making it the top task in the field.

64. Successful podcasters can earn quite a bit: 23% make between $50k and $75k a year, 22% earn $75k to $100k, 18% bring in $30k to $50k, and 15% earn $100k to $150k yearly.

65. Guests play a big role in podcasts. About 46% of podcasters often feature guests, 35% sometimes have guests, and 15% rarely do.

66. As for episode length, 32% of podcasters say their episodes are 30-40 minutes long, which is the most common length. About 29% run 20-30 minutes, while 17% go for 40-50 minutes.

67. In terms of publishing frequency, 35% of podcasters release new episodes weekly, making it the most popular schedule. Meanwhile, 20% publish twice a week, and 19% every other week.

68. When asked about the key to success in podcasting, 62% of podcasters believe it’s all about the host’s personality, and 57% think it’s about offering a unique point of view.

69. A study by Acast found that 85% of listeners are okay with podcasters using AI to create content. In the same study, 84% of podcasters and 57% of listeners said that tools like ChatGPT and Canva can boost the quality of podcast content.

70. Another survey by Headliner showed that 66% of podcasters are already using AI to improve their shows.

71. Promoting podcasts on social media is key—70% of professionals use social media to market their podcasts, and 54% promote them on their blogs or websites.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about diving into the world of podcasts, you’re looking at a fantastic opportunity. 

These podcast stats reveal a lot about how they can connect you with your audience and boost your ad revenue. 

The podcasting audience is growing rapidly, with diverse interests and significant ad potential. 

In fact, the podcasting industry is expected to be worth over $100 billion by 2030, so there’s never been a better time to add podcasts to your digital marketing mix.