What Is Subscribing to a Podcast? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Subscribing to a Podcast? ›

Today, Apple uses the word “subscribe” to signify paying for a premium podcast, instead. For all free content (the vast majority of stuff on there), you'd “follow” it to get new episodes delivered, automatically.

You might have to pay to download podcasts to listen to them offline, but when you are connected to the internet, you will not have to pay money to listen to a podcast. The only exception is that some podcasts charge money for special content like ad-free episodes or bonus episodes.

Loyal listeners want more from the shows they love. With Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, you can offer your fans premium benefits like ad-free listening, early access, and bonus episodes, while earning extra income for yourself.

Overcast and Amazon Music use “Follow.” As of this writing, Google Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict still use “Subscribe.”

A podcast is essentially a talk radio series on demand. This means that listeners don't need to turn up and tune in live, but can listen any time (and pretty much anywhere) they like. Podcasts tend to be focused on a theme or topic.

Paid subscriptions allow you to support the shows you love, and they often include premium extras, early access to new episodes, or ad-free listening.

Sponsorships are the most common way podcasters make money. This is when the podcast promotes the sponsor during the show. You probably hear your favorite shows plug their advertisers a few times in every episode. How much you earn from a sponsor depends on the number of downloads your episodes earn.

How much does Apple Podcasts cost? Podcast creators have the option to charge subscription fees for exclusive content, but using Apple's app is free. Apple Podcasts is free to use if you have an iPhone, Mac, or iPad.

Apple Podcasts offers millions of shows completely free. And some publishers offer premium shows, episodes and channels that can be purchased through a monthly or annual subscription.

What happens when you listen to a podcast? ›

Benefit #1: Podcasts Can Stimulate Mental Imagery

What's useful about podcasts is that people actually pay more attention to them. More so than they pay attention to books or television. Since people give podcasts more attention, they are more likely to internalize and remember the information they hear.

Listen to podcasts to learn new things every day

Listening to podcasts is a great way to question existing paradigms you may have, learn new ones, and grow your mind. Not only do you get the chance to learn something new, but it can also expand your horizons in unexpected ways.

Fortunately, it is possible and not too difficult to start a podcast for free. You can take advantage of free recording software such as Audacity and publish your show on directories. By eliminating your startup costs, you can work on growing your show at no risk to your wallet.

The purpose of podcasts

People might listen to a podcast to learn more about a topic, keep up with current events, or because they want to laugh. A podcast can also be a powerful marketing tool. Podcasting can be an opportunity to promote your business, broaden your reach, or market to your existing audience.

Popular Examples of Fiction Podcasts:

The Two Princes. The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. Hello from the Magic Tavern.

Simply put: a podcast is an audio programme, just like Talk Radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone and listen to it whenever you like.

Here's what they discovered: Podcast listeners are more open and non-neurotic than non-listeners. People with personality traits that measured higher in openness to experience, interest-based curiosity, and need for cognition were more likely to listen to podcasts.

The most common way to discover all the podcasts that you want to listen to and keep them organized is a podcast app. You likely already have one installed on your phone. iPhone users will have the Apple Podcasts app. Android users can play podcasts through the Play Music app.

To put harder numbers on it, many sponsorship agencies look for 3000 to 5000 listeners, per episode, before they'll take you on. But, if you're doing it yourself, it's perfectly possible to earn a decent sponsorship income once you pass the 200 to 300 mark, especially if you have a particularly niche audience.

Normally, guests don't get paid to appear as a guest on someone's podcast. Although, some guests may request compensation for their time, the majority may be happy to appear on a show without any financial compensation. It all comes down to the individual podcast and its host.

How long does it take for a podcast to make money? ›

Your podcast can make money between six to 12 months with the right strategy. What is this? Yes! But while businesses have only just added podcasting to their marketing channels, you're going to organize some targeted marketing to shorten the time to monetizing your podcast.

For podcast listeners, podcasts are a way to enjoy great content from around the world for free. For podcast publishers, podcasts are a great way to reach a wide audience. Apple does not directly provide podcast updates or episodes.

Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalog of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership.

Spotify is biggest for total listeners to podcasts, but Apple is biggest for downloads, according to new US data from Podtrac. The company also reveals that Spotify has the lowest number of episode requests per listener, at just three: Apple Podcasts users download more than nine times as many.

Many choose to listen to podcasts during “interstitial time”, like when driving, exercising, or grocery shopping. You're more likely to retain information if you're doing a task that doesn't require your full attention.

Depending on the podcast creator, you can choose either a monthly or annual plan for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. After you subscribe, you can listen to Apple Podcasts Subscriptions in the Apple Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and HomePod.

With Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, you receive 70% of the subscription price at each billing cycle, minus applicable taxes. After a subscriber accumulates one year of paid service, your net revenue increases to 85% of the subscription price, minus applicable taxes.

Audible is a great place to find podcasts, among other goodies. You can download Audible free-of-charge and listen to the free podcasts to your heart's content. You don't need to get a subscription to enjoy them.

How much does it cost to use podcast? ›

Hosting: Unless you plan on hosting your episodes on your own website (which requires additional space and bandwidth), you'll need to pay for podcast hosting. This typically costs around $10-$15/month.

Anyone with a free Spotify account can listen to podcasts. However, they'll need a Premium account to download podcasts for offline listening, just like with songs and albums.

Listening to podcasts is a great way to question existing paradigms you may have, learn new ones, and grow your mind. Not only do you get the chance to learn something new, but it can also expand your horizons in unexpected ways.

The most popular examples are iTunes and Spotify. If you have either app on your computer, then navigate to the podcast section, browse around and hit play.

In addition to millions of podcast episodes, you now have access to the most ad-free top podcasts with Amazon Music Unlimited, and Amazon Music Prime. You can access millions of podcast episodes with Amazon Music Free.

Podcasts on the iTunes Store are free.

Open the Podcasts app. On your iPhone, go to the Library tab and tap Shows. On your iPad, go to Library in the sidebar and tap Shows. Tap a show to see its information page.

Open the Podcasts app. Browse or search for a show, then tap it. Touch and hold the episode that you want to download. Tap Download Episode.

Only $9.99/month after. Cancel anytime.

Terms and conditions apply. 1 month free not available for users who have already tried Premium.

One of the most loved podcast player apps, Pocket Casts, is free for Android and iOS. It's also available on Amazon Echo, Apple CarPlay, Apple Watch, Android Auto, and other platforms, some of which are restricted to Plus members (macOS, Windows, web player).