It’s no secret that we LOVE podcasts, and we’re not the only ones. Tons of people are getting hooked on podcasts, with more and more listeners tuning in each year. In 2023, there were 76 million podcast listeners in the US, compared to 49 million in 2020. See what we mean!? People looove podcasts! So much so that many are creating their own podcasting experience and becoming podcast hosts!
But, curious minds over here at Dear Media have been buzzing with curiosity. What is it about podcasts that have people hooked? Why does everyone have a podcast? Why are podcasts so popular? We couldn’t wait another minute to find out, and now we’re sharing what we learned. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Why Are Podcasts So Popular?
Easy Access
Throw your hand up if you enjoy waiting. Now raise the other hand if you also love having to work extra hard just to complete a simple task. Yeahhh, us neither. So, as you can probably imagine, one of the reasons podcasts are so popular is because they’re super quick and easy to access. A couple of clicks or taps, maybe a swipe or two, and voila!
We live in a world where instant gratification reigns supreme, and there’s no shame in loving podcasts simply because of the lack of effort required. Thanks to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we have access to countless podcast episodes, all pretty much free of charge.
Convenience
You can listen to podcasts literally anywhere at any time. Whether you’re dealing with a long commute, working in the garden, going on a long walk, staying up late studying, or trying to motivate yourself to complete household chores, podcasts are there for you! You can always have one in your ear to keep you entertained while you do whatever it is you do!
Genre Diversity
Another factor contributing to the rise of podcasts is the wide range of diverse topics covered. From true crime, like Believable: The Coco Berthmann Story, and pop culture, like Not Skinny But Not Fat, to health and wellness, like The Art of Being Well, and self-help, like The Skinny Confidential Him and Her Podcast, you can find a podcast that covers whatever you’re looking for.
Niche Content & Community
We all crave a sense of community in that we want to feel like we belong, or at least like there are other people who share our interests. Podcasts, especially niche podcasts, make that possible, as they encourage podcast audiences to come together and bond over their unique hobbies and interests. Whether it’s on social media, in online forums, or at live podcasting events, these experiences are truly unique.
However, a lot of listeners experience a sense of community without connecting with other listeners. For a lot of listeners, simply knowing there are others interested in the same topics and ideas is enough to feel understood, and like they’re a part of something special. To get a feel for what we mean, check out the best podcasts for women in their 20s or the best podcasts for women in their 30s. You’ll notice that, although each podcast is unique, all of them find ways to give listeners the sense of community they’re yearning for.
Entertainment
Most of us would agree that podcasts are really f*cking entertaining! Whether you’re looking for a laugh, a temporary escape, or creative inspiration, podcasts deliver time and time again. Take it from us, we live and breathe FOR THE CONTENT (Better grab this shirt to totally embrace that) because sometimes, it’s those precious minutes spent completely absorbed in a podcast that makes everything else going on around us bearable.
Information & Education
In addition to providing entertainment, podcasts have become fantastic sources of information. There are literally millions of podcast episodes loaded with informative content across numerous subjects. This can be attributed to the vast number of experts, thought leaders, and enthusiasts who are given a platform from which to share their knowledge. But, what really sets podcasting apart from other types of media is the approach. Podcasts are great at making even the most complex information easier to understand and, in many cases, fun to learn! (BTW, there are a lot of benefits of podcasts for learning!)
Most Popular Podcast Niches
Below are the most popular podcast genres in the US and the percentage of US podcast listeners who tune into each one:
- Comedy – 22%
- News – 21%
- True Crime – 18%
- Sports – 17%
- Health/Fitness – 17%
- Religion/Faith – 16%
- Politics – 16%
- Self-Help/Productivity – 15%
- Finance – 13%
- Scripted Comedy – 11%
- Game Show – 10%
- Pop Culture – 9%
- Scripted Drama – 8%
The future of podcasting is bright!
If you’re not yet one of the millions of podcast listeners, here’s your sign. Podcasts are so popular for good reasons, and there’s no better time than now to discover them for yourself. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of new podcasts to binge. Or browse the Dear Media show catalog. Then, for even more insight into podcasting, head over to the blog!
