I've been tracking metrics on the podcast industry since 2018. It was my first working code when I learned JavaScript and Node.js. And the system has been running that (poorly written) legacy code for almost 8 years. Originally, this data was just a byproduct of the engine I built for My Podcast Reviews (which has since become Podgagement). But I recently rebuilt it as a free resources for podcasters, podcasting professionals, and anyone who wants to keep an eye on the growth of the podcast industry:
Here are some of the fantastic features you can explore right now!
Track the total number of podcasts in Apple Podcasts, Podcast Index, and YouTube
You have been able to view these numbers for a while, but I have greatly expanded the historical data. Instead of just seeing the last 13 months, you can now look back as far as seven years.
This historical view reveals some incredible trends. For example, it looked like the industry's growth abruptly slowed down in 2021. However, this had nothing to do with global events. It was simply the result of Anchor (now Spotify for Creators) turning off their automatic publishing firehose.
In addition to Apple Podcasts statistics, I also track the Podcast Index and even YouTube. Yes, I track YouTube even though I firmly maintain that since you cannot follow a YouTube show via an RSS feed, it is not actually a podcasting platform. But the data is there for you to explore anyway!
See how active podcasts are
Do not let the idea of “millions of podcasts” overwhelm you. A massive number of those shows only have a single episode and have long since faded away.
The true metric of your competition is how many shows are actively publishing. On the site, you can filter the data to see how many podcasts have published an episode within the last 7, 30, 60, or 90 days. The number of podcasts that have published a new episode in the last week is much smaller than you would think. Focusing on this realistic number of active shows should be highly encouraging for your own growth.
Discover deeper category details from Apple Podcasts
This is a brand new feature I have wanted to build for years. Thanks to the new site architecture, you can now dynamically drill down into deeper data across all 110 categories inside Apple Podcasts.
You can look at specific genres to see not only the total number of podcasts, but how many of them are currently active versus inactive. You can also see how many shows were recently added, deactivated, or reactivated within your primary category. Want a fun fact? Mathematics has the fewest number of active podcasts. You would only be up against around 120 other active shows if you launched a math podcast today!
Watch Podcasting 2.0 feature-adoption grow
I am deeply involved with Podcasting 2.0 and I love evangelizing the amazing new capabilities being built into podcasting.
If you head over to the Podcasting 2.0 section of Podcast Industry Insights, you can actively track the adoption rates of these features over time. You can see the growth of features like transcripts, chapters, and the value tag, tracked at both the overall podcast level and the individual episode level.
Download chart images for easy sharing
If you want to use these statistics in a presentation, a video, a blog post, or on social media, I have made it incredibly easy for you. You no longer have to mess with taking clunky screenshots.
Next to every chart, you will find a one-click download button. This generates a beautiful 16×9 image in 4K resolution perfect for slide decks. The image will automatically include the proper heading, the specific category you are viewing, and the required credit. The charts even support both light mode and dark mode. If you prefer dark mode on your device, the downloaded image will feature a beautiful dark branded background.
View, cite, and share podcasting statistics from Podcast Industry Insights™!
Special thanks
- Bryan Entzminger from Top Tier Audio streamed 1,303§ across my previous several episodes
- ChadF sent 1,000§ and said, “I ran OpenClaw for a few weeks but uninstalled it because it burns through tokens way too fast and I can do what I need with Claude Code and GitHub actions.”
If you love The Audacity to Podcast and value the podcasting inspiration and education I provide, would you please consider giving back what it's worth to you?
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Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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