Podcasts and podcasting has recently taken the world by storm over the past few years, reaching 464.7 million listeners as of recently in 2023, equating to 22% of all internet users.
But why have they gained so much popularity? What is it about them that makes people crave more, and what’s attracting the new fanbase to consume podcasts? Find out in this post.
5 Reasons Why Podcasting is so Popular
Vast range of topics
With podcasts, in simple terms, there’s no limits on what type of topic you can search up. Much like YouTube and the array of YouTubers, there are an array of loveable content creators out there that range from niche to niche, covering different topics, the same can be said for podcasts.
Whether you’re looking to hear from an entrepreneur and their anecdotal story towards success, listen to parents and get neo tips on parenting or even tune into a comedic podcast to have a laugh, podcasts aren’t limited to any one topic.
This range of topics makes it so users don’t get bored and always have choice, which is a reason why so many choose to return as repeat listeners.
A sense of community
Podcasts offer an intimate form of media where they address viewers directly, and typically base their shows around audience input, be it from comments or direct messages from their established community.
Not only this, but in the sense that podcasts are typically run in a conversational format, it makes it so that the listener in this case is also part of the conversation. The listeners in this case are typically of a certain demographic, if not based worldwide, and are treated as a community, who typically give more input than that of the average content creator.
With podcasts in particular, hosts tend to engage in long-form conversations and cover topics and stories from a personal sense, offering a truly intimate experience, communicating with the listener in a way that they can feel they relate to the host.
Can be listened to on-demand
Another reason why podcasts have shown a spurt in popularity in recent years is the on-demand nature of them. With podcasts now being accessible on various platforms, YouTube and Spotify to name a few, this has made it easy to incorporate podcasts into people’s daily lives.
Unlike traditional radio interviews that you may not hear if you’ve missed it, podcasts can be listened to any hour of any day, in the format that suits you best.
The on-demand nature of podcasts is certainly a key reason for its growth in popularity, with this ever growing world of convenience, on-demand media is now a necessary factor determining how people entertain themselves with this hustle and bustle environment.
Helping to shape learning and personal growth
There are various podcasts people tune into for entertainment in general, but did you know that 74% of listeners tune in to podcasts to learn new things?
It’s no surprise that’s the case, with various industry professionals across all niches providing audiences with niche-relevant content that covers information of interest, covering personal anecdotes.
We live in a world where everyone is hustling. To adapt and climb your way in your career or starting your own business, people need mentors now more than ever.
Instead of literally going out there and finding a mentor, people may opt to tune into podcasts instead, as they still offer an insightful experience where an audience member can gain valuable insight and inspiration.
With the personal growth industry now booming more than ever, the demand for these types of media is only going to rise as time goes on.
The popularity of podcasting
As long as people tune into audio content, the demand for podcasts will always be there. With the vast range of topics, the personal feel of it all, and the applications in regards to learning and personal growth, podcasting is more than just a form of media, it’s a lifestyle and tool for a very many people.
What’s your favourite reason for tuning into podcasts? Drop a comment and let us know below!
