What Are Podcast Analytics?
Podcast analytics is collecting and analysing data related to your podcast’s performance. These analytics offer invaluable insights into various podcast stats, such as episode downloads, listener demographics, engagement rates, and more.You can track these vital statistics by using a dashboard provided by your podcast hosting platform or specialized third-party tools.
Understanding podcast analytics is crucial for optimizing your content, growing your listener base, and even attracting potential sponsors. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, leveraging these analytics can help you tailor your episodes to what your podcast listeners want, thereby boosting your podcast’s success.
9 Best Podcast Analytics Tools
The growth of podcasting as a medium has led to the development of numerous tools designed to provide in-depth analytics for podcasters. Leverage podcast data from some of the best podcast analytics tools and services you can consider:
- Podtrac
- Apple Podcast Analytics
- Chartable
- Podbean
- Transistor
- Blubrry
- Simplecast
- Spotify for Podcasters
- Google Podcasts Manager
1. Podtrac
Podtrac is a widely-used free service that offers basic metrics like unique downloads and listener demographics. It’s also known for its ranking system, which lists the top podcasts in various categories. From monitoring your download numbers to analyzing listener demographics and ad engagement metrics, Podtrac offers comprehensive data solutions for podcasters.
Price:
- Free to start,
- 20 USD per month for advanced features.
Pros and Cons of Using Podtrac
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| IAB-certified analytics. | Reporting customization is limited. |
| Comprehensive reporting. | It may require some technical know-how. |
| 30-day rolling metrics. | |
| Multi-faceted data (e.g., by platform, episode). | |
| Unique monthly audience counts. | |
| Aggregate data from multiple sources. |
2. Apple Podcast Analytics
Apple Podcasts Analytics is a robust tool that offers deep insights into your podcast’s listener behavior. Thanks to Apple Podcast Analytics, podcasters can gain clarity on listener demographics, engagement rates, and how their audience consumes content directly within the Apple Podcasts ecosystem. The platform provides metrics such as listener retention rates, episode performance over time, and geographic data for targeting specific audiences.
Price: Free
Pros and Cons of Using Apple Podcasts Analytics
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for the Apple Podcasts ecosystem. | Limited to data from Apple Podcasts users. |
| Detailed listener demographics. | Lacks comprehensive cross-platform metrics. |
| Listener engagement analytics. | |
| Geographic targeting capabilities. | |
| Episode-specific performance data. |
3. Chartable
Chartable is an indispensable analytics tool for podcasters seeking to optimize and grow their platforms. Offering comprehensive data on a podcast’s reach, listener demographics, and listener behavior, Chartable equips the user with the intelligence needed to make data-driven decisions.
Price:
- Indie Plan: Free
- Pro Plan: $50 per month
- Enterprise Plan: Contact chartable
Pros and Cons of Using Chartable
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive cross-platform analytics. | Not an in-depth analytics tool. |
| Easy to use. | Reporting customization limited. |
| Detailed listener demographics. | In-depth demographic analysis only for the US. |
| Offers track SmartLinks which are trackable URLs. | |
| Tracks the impact of podcast advertising on podcast episodes. |
4. Podbean
Podbean is a robust podcast hosting and analytics platform that provides podcasters with essential insights into episode performance, listener demographics, and engagement metrics. With Podbean, podcasters can host their audio files and delve into analytics to understand how their podcast is resonating with their target audience. It offers a straightforward dashboard with real-time statistics, which helps you easily understand how well your episodes perform.
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Unlimited Audio: $9 per month
- Unlimited Plus: $29 per month
- Network: $79 per month
Pros and Cons of Using Podbean
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports Android, iPad, iPhone. | Limited advanced analytics in the basic plan. |
| Has an API. | Pricing can be high for larger shows. |
| Offers the following support: Email/Help Desk, Phone Support, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base. | Limited customization options. |
| Offers geographic and demographic data. | |
| Podbean integrates with:WordPress, Twitter/X, Meta for Business, Mailchimp. |
5. Transistor
Transistor is a podcast hosting and analytics service that offers a clean interface and rich data insights. It helps podcasters to distribute their content across multiple platforms while keeping an eye on important metrics like listener counts, engagement levels, and which devices podcast listeners use.
Price:
- Starter: $19 per month
- Professional: $49 per month
- Business: $99 per month
Pros and Cons of Using Transistor
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy-to-use interface. | Limited advanced analytics. |
| Offers listener breakdown per episode. | Higher pricing for the top level offering. |
| Detailed listener demographics. | |
| Multiple show hosting with a single account. | |
| Excellent customer support. |
6. Blubrry
It is one of the few services that is IAB-compliant, ensuring that the analytics you receive are accurate and standardized across the industry. Blubrry analytics offer insights into download numbers, listener geolocation, and client information (what devices people are using to listen). With its WordPress integration through PowerPress, it’s particularly good for podcasters who already have or plan to have a WordPress website.
Price:
- Free Statistics: Free
- Standard Statistics: $5 per month
Pros and Cons of Using Blubrry
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| IAB-compliant analytics | Might be overwhelming for beginners |
| Deep WordPress integration | Limited customization options |
| Detailed listener metrics | Higher cost for premium features |
| Long-standing industry reputation | |
| Excellent customer support |
7. Simplecast
Simplecast is a podcast hosting and analytics platform designed to make podcasting easy for beginners while offering robust features for more advanced users. With Simplecast, podcasters can access essential metrics like episode downloads, listener locations, and even what devices and applications their audience is using. The platform provides a sleek, user-friendly interface and offers options for web embedding and social sharing to boost your show’s discoverability.
Price:
- Basic: $15 per month
- Essential: $35 per month
- Professional: Contact Simplecast
- Enterprise Add-Ons: Contact Simplecast
Pros and Cons of Using Simplecast
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly interface. | Limited basic analytics. |
| Unlimited storage and uploads. | Higher cost for larger shows. |
| Distribution to anywhere the podcast audience is. | |
| Secure site and RSS feed. | |
| Email support. |
8. Spotify for Podcasters
While limited to one platform, Spotify for Podcasters gives you insights into how podcast episodes are performing among Spotify users, offering details like listener demographics, the show’s performance and more.
Price: Free
Pros and Cons of Using Spotify for Podcasters
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Deep insights into listening behavior. | Only Spotify-specific data. |
| Free to use. | Limited in-app marketing tools. |
| AIB complaint. | |
| Geolocation data. | |
| Reliable analytics. |
9. Google Podcasts Manager
Google Podcasts Manager provides analytics and insights tailored for podcasters who distribute their shows via Google Podcasts. The platform offers an in-depth look at important metrics like listener retention, the total number of listens over a specific period, and audience demographics. It also allows you to see how long people listen to your episodes and when they drop off, which can help refine your content strategy.
Price: Free
Pros and Cons of Using Google Podcasts Manager
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Detailed listener analytics. | Only covers Google Podcasts platform. |
| Free to use. | May not be as widely used as other platforms. |
| Comprehensive retention metrics. | Limited monetization options. |
| Accessible from Google’s ecosystem. | |
| Simple and intuitive interface. |
MORE: Top Podcasts of 2023
Why Should You Track Your Podcast Analytics?
Understanding your podcast analytics is like having a roadmap for success in the competitive podcasting landscape. Analytics give you a detailed snapshot of your current audience and offer actionable insights to improve listener engagement and grow your subscriber base.
Analytics help you identify which episodes resonate most with your audience, thereby allowing you to produce more targeted and relevant content. Additionally, having a firm grasp of your podcast’s performance data can make your platform more appealing to advertisers and sponsors. Tracking podcast analytics is indispensable for anyone looking to elevate their podcast from a hobby to a profitable venture.
MORE: How to Monetize a Podcast
What Podcast Analytics Should You Track and How?
To get a good view of your podcast’s performance, there are some key metrics you should be tracking:
1. Episode Downloads
This is often the first metric podcasters look at. It indicates how many times your episodes have been downloaded and can be a reliable indicator of your podcast’s popularity.
2. Unique Listeners
This metric shows the number of individual devices that have downloaded episodes, giving you a sense of your audience size.
3. Listener Demographics
Age, gender, and location data can help you better understand your audience, enabling you to tailor your content more effectively.
4. Listener Retention
How long are people listening to your episodes? If they’re dropping off early, this could signal a need to make your intro more engaging.
5. Engagement Metrics
Track likes, shares, and comments across platforms to measure how involved your audience is with your content.
6. Conversion Rates
If you have specific calls to action—like signing up for a newsletter or visiting a sponsor—tracking conversions can show how effectively you’re driving these actions.
You can find most of these metrics through the analytics dashboard provided by your podcast hosting platform.
When are People Listening to Your Podcast?
Determining when people are listening to your podcast can provide you with valuable insights to optimize your content release schedule, promotional efforts, and even the timing of your in-episode advertisements. Most podcast analytics tools offer time-based metrics that can help you understand the habits of your listeners. Here’s what you should look for:
Peak Listening Hours
By identifying the hours your podcast receives the most listeners, you can time your new episode releases to coincide with these peak times. This can increase the likelihood of your episode being discovered and listened to shortly after release.
Weekday vs. Weekend Listens
Some podcasts may find that their audience prefers tuning in during weekdays, perhaps during commutes or work hours. Others may notice a spike in weekend listens. Knowing this can help you decide which days are best for releasing new episodes.
Seasonal Trends
Depending on your content, your podcast experiences seasonality. For instance, a podcast focused on a specific sport might see an uptick in listeners during that sport’s season. Similarly, educational podcasts might see increased engagement during the school year.
Listening Duration
Pay attention to when people stop listening to your podcast episodes. Do you see a drop-off at a specific point? This could indicate a part of your episode that may need re-evaluating to keep your audience engaged for longer.
MORE: Who Are the Top Podcasters?
Regional Differences
If your podcast has a global audience, consider time zone differences. An episode released at 9 a.m. in New York will hit the feeds at 2 p.m. in London and might not be ideal for listeners in Sydney, Australia, where it would be one hour before midnight.
MORE: What Makes a Good Podcast?
Podcast Analytics From Different Platform
In June 2023, iHeartRadio took the top spot as the world’s foremost podcast publisher, boasting 377.24 million unique streams and downloads. Following closely behind was Wondery, with a substantial 176.23 million streams and downloads for the same month.
Other statistics for leading podcaste publishers worldwide include:
- NPR: 162.04 million unique streams and downloads,
- New York Times: 111.71 million unique streams and downloads,
- Daily Wire: 79.94 million unique streams and downloads,
- NBC News: 70.41 million unique streams and downloads,
- PRX: 52.45 million unique streams and downloads,
- The Walt Disney Company: 41.36 million unique streams and downloads,
- CNN: 35.07 million unique streams and downloads,
- Vox Media: 38.19 million unique streams and downloads.
Takeaway Points
Mastering podcast analytics empowers you to make data-driven decisions that can significantly enhance your show’s performance. One crucial insight you can gain is pinpointing the optimal times to release new episodes. By analyzing listener engagement patterns, you can strategically schedule your episodes to drop when your audience is most active, thereby maximizing your reach and boosting your podcast’s overall success.
So, if you’re starting your podcast journey and looking for a great name, check out our podcast name generator.With our AI-powered generator, you’ll get thousands of great podcast names in seconds. All you have to do is type in the words that you want associated with your podcast, choose the name and register the domain. You’ll be ready to start your new podcasting business in just a few simple steps.
MORE: 25 Good Podcast Topics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Total downloads
- Listener demographics (age, gender, location)
- Episode engagement (how long people are listening)
- Audience growth over time
- Listener retention rates
- Sources of traffic (e.g., search engines, social media, direct links)
- Episode downloads: Total number of times an episode has been downloaded
- Unique listeners: Number of individual listeners
- Listener retention: The percentage of the episode that is listened to, on average
- Listener growth: Increase in the listener base over a specific period
- Engagement: Interactions like shares, likes, and comments
- Conversion rate: If you have calls to action, how many listeners actually follow through with them