Originating as ‘audio blogging’, podcasts have undergone some evolution in the past years. From their beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, the rise of podcasts has revolutionized the way we consume entertainment, education, and information these days. First, ask what is a podcast? It is a blog in forms of audio that is distributed globally on dozens of platforms. There are two ways to interpret the question “How has podcasting become so popular?”
Why are so many people producing podcasts and why are so many people listening to podcasts. But at first, let’s figure out it’s origin and how it took the hearts of people
Since when Podcasting is a Thing?
Podcasts actually began in the 1980s, predating the internet, and were initially known as ‘audio blogging.’ Similar to early bloggers, this medium allowed individuals to share their thoughts and experiences with others. However, the lack of distribution methods meant that it took another 20 years for the genre to gain traction.
The Early Times
In the early 2000s, the popularity of portable audio devices like the iPod helped bring ‘audio blogs’ into the mainstream by allowing them to be transferred as MP3 files.
By 2003, people could download audio blogs to their iPods, and journalist Ben Hammersley coined the term ‘podcasting,’ with ‘pod’ referring to the iPod.
In 2005, Apple officially incorporated podcasting into its iTunes Music Library. In 2006, during a keynote presentation, Steve Jobs demonstrated how anyone could create a podcast using a Mac and share it with the world.
Since 2006, over 700,000 podcasts have been created, producing more than 30 million episodes, most available for free.
2014 was a great year because Serial gave podcasts another boost. More brands started taking it seriously with the Pandora/This American Life deal following. You could say that every 3-4 years there’s either a podcast itself or feature(hardware-software) that gives podcasts another big bump in listenership.
So What Happened Later?
In May of 2019, Apple was the big player. Google play began to step up it’s SEO Game. Until that time, videos were the new cat’s meow. YouTube and Google spent eons of very cool technology energy to keyword search and listen to videos, pulling out the words so you could be discovered in searches (as a video).
That’s not the perfect wording, but you get the picture. So in summer 2019, audio files started being google-able for content. This means podcasts started showing up more easily and readily for their search terms. Suddenly, when you typed in a question, the answer might show up in the form of a podcast. Interesting!
With this new search engine optimization function (you can search for key topics in podcasts now and find them) podcasts became an instant way to become an authority.
From 550,000 podcasts to the latest statistics: 900,000 podcasts since late 2018 to present. Most likely people stuck at home now are building podcasts so we are likely to globally eclipse 1M if we haven’t already!
As the world becomes busier, the podcast format has surged in popularity because it allows for multitasking. A recent study showed that while 49% of podcast listening occurs at home, 22% happens while driving, 11% at work, and 8% during exercise.
Why are so many people producing podcasts
Low Barrier to Entry
It’s getting easier to listen. Podcasting has a bit of a barrier to entry tho because it’s not accessed the same as YouTube or similar media content on the internet. Now that there are more podcasting apps out there and more people are listing it’s easier to find someone to explain how to listen. Starting a podcast is relatively easy and inexpensive compared to other forms of media production. Before, podcasts made by APPLE COMPANY were complicated to operate. Hardware and software were both just so so. Also, large space was needed to save the recorded program. However, the function of recording, de-noising, mixing, uploading is improving. This has led to a proliferation of podcasts on various topics, giving listeners a wide array of choices.
For video there is a lot more that goes into it technically. With podcasting all you need is a microphone which can be bought for less than $100 easily and software to record in which can be used for free. We have the list of the Best Mics under 100$.
Grow Your Business Through Personal Branding
I can bet on this. 90% creators you see on internet came to internet to promote their Business and make money. If you have a business and you want tons of traffic there is no better way than creating something on the internet. Podcasting is just one of those where all you have to do is interview and add some of your visions sometimes to ultimately to create a Personal Brand. And later on when people start loving you, show them your product, They will jump over it.
Monetization Opportunities
As podcasting has grown in popularity, there are more opportunities for creators to monetize their content through sponsorships, advertising, merchandise sales, and listener support through platforms like Patreon.
Distribution
Another reason for the recent popularity is that podcasts are now being distributed on major streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and Apple’s music streaming service. Currently, the most popular podcast publishers are iHeartRadio and NPR, each with over 22 million monthly listeners. These networks offer top podcasts such as Stuff You Should Know, Planet Money, and TED Radio Hour.
Hosting
There are services that make hosting very easy. For example Podbean, buzzsprout, pinecast or podient. Check out this blog to Know which Hosting is perfect for you.
Why are so many people listening to podcasts
There are a ton of niche topics. Do you want a podcast on fountain pens? You’re in luck. What about you’re favorite obscure cartoon from your childhood? It’s probably a thing. There is something everyone will be interested in.
Accessibility
Podcasts are easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a smartphone or computer. Mainly because of the widespread use of smartphones, listeners can download or stream episodes on-demand, making it convenient to consume content anytime, anywhere. SOUNDCLOUD on the Internet had only more than 3,000,000 users during nearly 10 years. Once mobile Internet occurred, the number of users increased to 1,000,000,000 suddenly.
Portability
Podcasts have surged in popularity because they are portable. You can listen to podcasts in your car, on a train, and I like to listen to podcasts when I work out or jog and doing any household task. The podcast is a downloadable audio file and you can binge listen even if you are doing something else. So, you can’t easily read a blog while you are riding a bike or driving a car. You definitely should not watch a video while you are doing those things! Now, the podcast pops in and delivers educational value on YOUR terms. You can binge download when you run into a problem (i.e., DivorceAndBeyondPod.com) or a dilemma or maybe you can learn French with a podcast. You can have energy healing chakra clearing meditations.
Diverse Content
Podcasts cover a wide range of topics and interests, catering to diverse audiences. If you’re interested in true crime, self-improvement, history, comedy, or any other subject, there is likely a podcast that suits your preferences. You get content you can’t get anywhere else. Podcasting often covers hyper-niche topics (chameleon breeding), and you’re not going to find that on TV, radio, etc. So while that show may never have 10,000 downloads, the people who find that show, that need that show, LOVE that show.
Convenience
Podcasts allow listeners to multitask while consuming content. People can listen to podcasts while commuting, exercising, doing household chores, or during any other activity where they can’t read or watch videos. How many YouTube videos can you watch while driving? How many blogs can you read while physically working with your hands? The truth is that you can clean your house, mop your floor, walk the dog, brush your teeth, close your eyes, work out, ride a bike, and more all while listening to a very interesting and free conversation or story on exactly what you are interested in. Podcasts can be played almost anytime without intense focus. You can play them during routine boring parts of life that transform those times into extremely interesting and mentally stimulating periods. Podcasts are pretty dang sweet if you ask me.
Personal Connection
One of the Numerous Benefits of Podcasting is that, Podcast hosts often have a more intimate and conversational tone compared to traditional media. This can create a sense of connection and engagement with the audience, fostering a loyal following.
Long-form Content
Podcasts typically allow for longer, more in-depth discussions compared to other forms of media like radio or television. This can attract audiences looking for detailed analysis and conversations on specific topics. In many cases, people are taking a “deep dive” into a subject vs the six-minute interview you get on TV. The production and consumption of voice are turning into rigid demand. Podcasts are no longer fragmented programs.
Community Building
Podcasts can foster a sense of community among listeners who share common interests. Many podcasts have dedicated fan bases that engage with each other and the creators through social media, live events, and other channels.
Radio’s Decline
Radio has lost its personality. Back in the 50s–70s, people listened to the DJ who brought them their favorite music. The DJ’s personality and passion for the music came through. Now at night, Siri is the DJ playing music I don’t want to hear saturated with too many commercials. Radio will not go away, but now that there are alternatives, they are going to have to pay attention to their listeners more.
Future Prospects
The popularity of podcasts is likely to rise with over 20 million books on Amazon and around 4 billion videos on YouTube, while the podcast space has under 1 million. Alexa will be next. My prediction!
Segmented Information
Podcast audio content enables listeners to explore topics without needing to set aside time to read or watch videos. Podcasts also offer information in small, manageable segments perfect for daily commutes or hectic schedules.
Educational Value
Podcasts offer a wealth of educational content on a wide range of topics, which makes them valuable resources for lifelong learning. Whether you’re interested in exploring the depths of history, mastering a new language, delving into scientific discoveries, or enhancing your professional skills, there’s a podcast to suit every area of interest and expertise.
One of the key advantages of podcasts in terms of education is their accessibility. Unlike traditional educational resources such as textbooks or academic journals, podcasts are freely available and easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a smartphone or computer. This accessibility democratizes education, breaking down barriers to learning and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to access high-quality educational content.
Moreover, podcasts offer a unique learning experience that combines entertainment with education. Through engaging storytelling, in-depth discussions, and expert interviews, podcasts bring complex topics to life in a way that is both informative and entertaining.
Overall, the combination of accessibility, diverse content, convenience, personal connection, and low barriers to entry has contributed to the popularity of podcasting as a medium for entertainment, education, and information.
Conclusion
Listeners are drawn to podcasts due to their diverse content, covering a wide range of topics catering to niche interests. The convenience of consuming podcasts while multitasking, coupled with the personal connection and long-form discussions offered by hosts, has further contributed to their appeal. Podcasts also foster a sense of community among listeners with shared interests, transcending geographical boundaries.
As traditional media like radio declines in popularity, podcasts are poised for continued growth, offering an alternative platform for entertainment, education, and information. With the rise of smart home devices like Alexa, the future of podcasting looks promising, providing segmented information in easily digestible formats for listeners worldwide.
In essence, the popularity of podcasts can be attributed to their accessibility, diverse content, convenience, personal connection, and low barriers to entry, making them a ubiquitous medium in today’s digital landscape.
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