6 Podcast Trends to Jump On in 2024 & How to Keep Up

Keeping track of – let alone keeping up with – any kind of trend is a challenge. Trends can change overnight, whether it’s fashion, TikTok, or podcasts. And if you’re not in the know, you could get left behind. 

Though this is definitely not the end of the world, when you’re a content producer vying for more views and listens, trends actually do matter. They’re key to surfacing your content to the right people, keeping it relevant, and showing that you’re ahead of the curve and not behind it. 

This article summarizes the biggest podcast trends of 2024 so far, offers a few tips on how you can keep your head in the game, and gives you an idea of what the (near) future of podcasting might look like. 

Why should you pay attention to podcast trends?

It’s easy to think that you’re above the trends or that things move too fast to make it worth jumping on the bandwagon. But if you want to stay competitive and keep your listeners loyal, it’s worth at least paying attention to the latest podcast stats and trends and assessing which ones are worth your time. Trends can relate to listener preferences and expectations or changes in best practices on the back end, such as the best tools to use in your podcasting workflows. 

Types of podcast trend 

It’s good to keep in mind that a “podcast trend” can refer to quite a few different things: 

• Format or structure. Popular podcast formats or styles that are a departure from the status quo might emerge. 
• Listening platforms. The listening platform of the moment might not be what you’re used to. Or added features, such as the ability to post video podcasts on Spotify, might require you to adapt your workflow. 
• Presence on social media. The way that podcasts interact with their communities on social media continues to evolve. This means that you can get involved with social media trends, too. 
• Demographics and listenerships. Who and where the most podcast listeners are might change. To keep up, you may have to ensure your content suits what they’re looking for. 
• What people are looking for. At a base level, you might find that your listeners are simply seeking something different out of podcasts in general. This might be video, added value, shorter episodes, and more. 
• Workflows and the way that podcasts are made. With the development and release of new tools and platforms, your existing workflow might need to be updated. 

6 Podcast trends to keep an eye on for 2024

Video podcasting 

Video podcasting is here to stay. The proof is in the numbers: 64% of new podcast consumers prefer video first. And video is likely to become the default for many company podcasts over the next 5 years. In fact, as many as 84% of companies believe that video will become a crucial part of their podcasting strategy in the next five years. 

There are a few reasons for this: videos are lucrative in terms of advertising partnerships, they’re more engaging for your existing audience, and they help broaden podcasts’ reach. 

Plus, incorporating video has also opened up a lot of different distribution channels. This has elevated the importance of platforms like TikTok, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels for publicizing video podcasts in general. And as our Annual Report outlines, major listening platforms are likely to start or keep investing in video too. Spotify has already started. 

AI Workflows & Podcasting Tools

AI has already changed the game in so many fields. And it’s starting to do the same in the world of podcasting too. Think about how disruptive generative AI has been for other types of content creation. The possibilities for podcasting are endless. Platforms like Riverside have already started to integrate AI tools into their available features – allowing users to seamlessly incorporate the aspects that suit them best. You can already find excellent AI powered podcast transcription, show notes, and editing tools. 

AI powers Riverside’s ultra-accurate transcription features, Magic Clips tool which automatically identifies and creates short clips from your long-form recordings, and more. 

Content Repurposing

More than ever – and especially with the help of AI – podcasters are repurposing their content. This means drawing the most value – and types of content – out of a single recording session. For instance, Riverside’s AI-powered transcription makes it possible to easily create a blog post or other written content out of your video or audio recording. In addition, our Magic Clips tool automatically creates short-form videos out of your full-length recording that you can use to publicize your content effectively on social media. You can then post the blog post on your website or get it placed somewhere. And you can post your short-form clips on your social media to garner traction organically there and drive audiences to the full episode on other listening platforms. 

Interactive and personalized content 

In the context of podcasting, personalized content relates to an individualized listening experience. At this moment in time, this refers mostly to tailored listening recommendations or playlists on major listening platforms such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

According to a report by Mckinsey from 2021, personalization matters more than ever with 71% of consumers expecting companies to deliver personalized interactions. This expectation is now spilling over into podcasting too: listening platforms are getting better and better at offering listeners tailored recommendations based on their interests. Podcasters are focusing more on involving their listeners through interactive Q&As, live audiences and recording sessions, and more. Spotify even has a dedicated Q&A feature native to their platform where you can ask your listeners a question, and they answer it directly in the app. 

Live podcasting events 

In line with the rising trend of interactivity, live podcasts – whether that’s an in-person event or remote – are gaining traction.

The Rest is Politics, for example, is a popular British podcast that hosts extremely popular live versions of their episodes. This allows audiences to interact and engage with their favorite podcast hosts, get up close and personal, and feel like a part of the action. This also offers podcasters another lucrative and exciting revenue stream. 

More money and new ways to monetize

The ways that podcasters can make money from their shows are growing. Beyond traditional models of advert slots, sponsorships, and premium subscriptions for exclusive content, you’ve now got newcomers such as Luminary that are trying to bring a Netflix-style monthly subscription to the party. 

Higher quality expectations 

With more specialized and high-tech podcasting tools that are accessible to all creators comes an increase in standards and expectations. Podcast listeners (and viewers) nowadays anticipate a certain recording, editing, and production quality. Don’t worry though; platforms like Riverside make high-quality recording and editing easy and accessible. 

How to keep on trend in the podcasting industry

Keeping on trend in the podcasting industry can sometimes be easier said than done. Things move quickly, and podcast creation is a big task in itself. Here are a few tips to follow: 

• Keep on track with research. Read industry reports and analysis like our annual report.
• Listen to a diverse range of podcasts. Listen to podcasts of all genres to keep track of changes across the space, not just in your niche. 
• Networking and proactivity within the industry. Attend industry conferences and events to network and keep up to date with the latest changes and developments. 
• Collaborate with other creators. Connect with other creators to share, collaborate and stay in the know. 
• Leverage your podcast stats and analytics. Stay on top of your own podcast analytics so you can understand your own audience. 

FAQs on Podcast Trends

Why is podcasting a trend right now?

Podcasting has been on the up for a while now. With 380 million podcast listeners worldwide, it’s worth getting involved if you’re not already. For listeners, podcasts offer on-demand content with a myriad of choices when it comes to finding shows that align with their interests. For creators, podcasts offer a unique captive audience, an independent platform and output channel for sharing their ideas, and lucrative revenue channels if they do it right. 

What is the future of podcasting?

While we can’t predict the future, we can definitely make solid predictions. AI will definitely play a substantial part in the future of podcasting – helping creators to record, edit, and create their shows. 

What type of podcast is most popular?

As we mentioned earlier, video podcasts are on the rise. In terms of podcast genre, some of the most popular are true crime, comedy, and news.