Since then, the number of podcast shows has quadrupled to more than 2 million and there are 48+ million total episodes. In 2018 there were just over 500,000 podcast shows and 18.5 million total episodes. it’s the golden age of podcasting where anyone who has thought about creating a podcast can easily create one.”

I think right now is probably the best time to try and start a podcast and monetize. “I’d say right now is probably the height of it. Our first question was about where we currently sit on the trajectory of the podcast industry, and our source answered without hesitation: Spotify is projected to surpass Apple by the end of 2021 for most monthly podcast listeners.Better podcast discovery and hybrid audio-visual content are two areas of focus for the future at Spotify.According to our source, Spotify is the best in the business when it comes to audio ads with much potential for revenue growth in that area.Spotify’s landmark 2020 deal with exclusive rights to the biggest podcast in the world, The Joe Rogan Experience, has powered their exclusivity strategy and attracted new listeners.Our source believes we are now at the height - the “golden age” - of podcasting.We sat down with a former Spotify design manager who worked with the company’s ads and podcasting teams to talk about the state of the industry, why streaming services are so podcast-focused right now, and how Spotify might win the market over behemoth competitors Apple and Google. One of the biggest players in the space is Spotify. Not surprisingly, streaming services are jockeying for the best podcast market position, competing for exclusivity rights and listener share that will only get more profitable as podcasts continue to gain momentum. This year, the podcast industry is set to bring in $1 billion in ad revenue for the first time ever. Today, 41% of the population over 12 years of age are monthly podcast listeners.

Podcasting - as the Wall Street Journal recently put it - is “on a tear.”Īlready experiencing high growth before 2020 and the onset of the pandemic, it has exploded over the past year.

Are spotify podcasts down