When creating a podcast, reaching the top of the charts is often a major goal–and for good reason! Achieving a top spot in the Spotify podcast charts is a sign of success and a growing audience.
While there’s no single recipe for success when it comes to building a great podcast and listenership, there are things you can do to improve your chances of appearing in the top 100 podcasts on Spotify. By improving your podcast quality and committing to building your audience and content base, you can steer your podcast in the right direction, ultimately providing you with a better chance of topping the charts.
Want to know where to begin working toward Spotify success? Here’s how you can grow your podcast and get all the way to the top of the Spotify charts!
What are Spotify podcast charts?
The Spotify podcast charts are Spotify’s very own podcast rating system, providing lists for countries around the world of the most popular podcast podcasts.
Spotify offers a few different podcast chart lists. Some of these lists relate to countries, while others are genre specific. This is a good thing, as it provides a diverse range of opportunities for podcast creators to get their content in the midst.
While the ultimate goal might be to secure a number one spot at the very top of the global Spotify charts, other list successes are no easy feat. If you get to the top of your national or genre list, you can consider this a step forward in your podcasting career.
Spotify podcast charts categories
Currently, location-specific Spotify podcast charts are available for:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Philippines
- Poland
- Spain
- Sweden
- The Netherlands
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
It’s hoped that more countries will be added in the future.
Alongside the top podcasts and top episodes sections, Spotify also offers data for specific podcast categories. These include:
- Arts
- Business
- Comedy
- Education
- Fiction
- Health & Fitness
- History
- Leisure
- Music
- News
- Religion & Spirituality
- Science
- Society & Culture
- Sports
- Technology
- True Crime
- TV & Film.
How do Spotify podcast charts work?
The Spotify podcast charts are driven by popularity! The Spotify algorithm uses in-app data to determine which podcasts are downloaded and listened to most often by the most unique users.
In order to be selected for the Spotify podcast charts, your podcast needs to be a hit with listeners on the Spotify app. This means that your listeners need to download your new episodes when they’re newly published, and they need to listen all or most of the way through.
An important thing to keep in mind is that Spotify’s charts only apply to Spotify. As a popular podcast streaming platform, this is an effective gauge of overall podcast success. However, it doesn’t take listeners from other platforms, like Apple Podcasts, into account, so your Spotify chart success might not be completely representative of your broader podcasting career.
Tips for getting your show on Spotify’s podcast chart
Getting your show to the Spotify podcast charts is far from impossible! In fact, there are many things you can do to improve your chances of reaching the top.
Choose your category
The first all-important step in your podcast charting journey is choosing the right category to represent your show. This may seem like a simple step in the process, but it has the power to make or break your chance at success.
Choosing the right category for your show is essential in ensuring that your content is easy to find within the Spotify app using search and browsing tools. This can help interested listeners discover your podcast and start tuning in to regular episodes.
Your category selection also has an important role beyond listenership. Spotify relies on category information to produce genre-specific podcast charts. By selecting the correct category for your show, you can provide Spotify with the information it needs to push your content to the top!
Improve your content
As always, improving the quality of your podcast content is the key to building a loyal audience and developing a successful podcast. The more professional your content sounds, the more likely it is that people will tune in and make your show popular.
There are a few things you can do to enhance overall podcast quality. The first thing to consider is the substance of your show. Is your content interesting and engaging to people in your audience niche? Are you offering something unique that other podcasters do not?
Your next consideration should be production. A great podcast needs to sound amazing, and it’s never a bad idea to create video content to accompany audio. Instead of relying on tools that only produce low sound quality, use a studio-quality recording tool like Riverside to capture great content every time you record.
Create a publishing schedule
Another great way to improve your show’s performance in the Spotify algorithm is by creating and sticking to a consistent publishing schedule. This helps the app and your listeners predict when new content will be available.
Using a publishing schedule is important because it helps to prove your reliability as a content creator. By publishing new episodes of your show regularly, you can ensure that audiences always have something new to listen to, making them more likely to tune in on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Fresh content is also an important part of overall chart success. New content tends to drive more listens, which makes your latest episodes more likely to boost your show to the top of the charts.
Promote your Spotify content
Finding listeners always begins with good marketing skills! Promoting your Spotify content is essential to developing a strong listener base and ensuring that your show reaches its full potential.
Fortunately, marketing your podcast doesn’t have to be restricted to the Spotify app. You can use a range of tools to help you, including social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You could also build a podcast website or start an email list.
Use Riverside Magic Clips to create engaging promotional content to showcase your podcast online.
It’s important that you market your podcast across a range of channels and platforms so that all users can engage with content, regardless of which apps they use. However, if your sights are set on making the Spotify charts, it’s a good idea to center Spotify at the heart of your podcast marketing strategy. You could even offer bonus content to encourage users to listen on the app!
Know your analytics
As with all stages in a podcasting career, knowing your stats is essential, providing you with the knowledge you need to do better. A good place to start is with Anchor Analytics. This will give you a clear overview of the most important insights for your show. You can also access show analytics within the app simply by clicking on your show cover art.
By checking your audience demographics and episode retention data, you can get a sense of how well your podcast is really performing and who is tuning in. As you view your podcast analytics, take note of how users engage with your podcast content, and look for patterns in listener behavior.
The information you learn from your analytics can be used to inform your next strategic plan. As you begin to understand your audience, you can make adjustments to the content you create, the days you publish new episodes, and how you engage with listeners. This can help you improve your chances of success.
Check the charts
Finally, the only way to know for sure whether your podcast has reached the Spotify charts is by checking them! Every week or so, check the charts relevant to your country and genre to see whether your podcast appears.
Even if your podcast doesn’t make the top of the list, the Spotify podcast charts can be a great learning resource. As you search for successful shows in your location or category, you can see what’s performing well and begin to identify trends.
While it’s never a good idea to copy another podcast creator, you can learn from others in the field. Listen to other podcasts like yours that have achieved the chart success you’re seeking. Find out what makes these podcasts stand out, and consider how you can replicate this in your own show.
How do I see podcast charts on Spotify?
Checking the Spotify podcast charts is easy! Spotify provides a user-friendly digital tool to help users sort and view a range of charts on desktop and mobile devices.
How to use Spotify podcast charts on a desktop
Step one: If you’re using Spotify on a desktop computer, the easiest way to check the charts is by visiting podcastcharts.byspotify.com.
Step two: Once you arrive on this page, you’ll see a list of newly released shows and episodes recommended by Spotify.
Step three: To view the current top 100 podcasts on Spotify, scroll down the page. These podcasts will appear in a list format, usually set automatically to overall top podcasts in the United States.
Step four: To change the country you’re viewing, click the button on the left side of your screen that is labeled with a country name. From the dropdown menu, select the country you live in, and scroll down to view charts.
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Step five: To change the category you’re viewing, click the button on the right side of your screen that is labeled “Top Podcasts”. From the dropdown menu, select the country you live in, and scroll down to view charts.
How to use Spotify podcast charts on a phone
Step one: If you’re using Spotify on a mobile device, the easiest way to check the charts is using the Spotify app, regardless of whether you’re using an Apple or Android device.
Step two: Once you’ve opened the Spotify app, switch to the search tab, and scroll down to select podcasts.
Step three: Scroll down the podcasts page, and choose podcast charts.
Step four: Here, choose the charts you want to view. You can select your country’s charts or scroll down the page to choose another option.
Step five: At the bottom of the page, you’ll see the option to view top podcasts by category or country. Use these tools to view charts for your nation or genre.
Can you see podcast stats on Spotify’s chart?
Unfortunately, Spotify’s podcast charts don’t allow users to see statistics or analytics for other podcasts. However, if you want to view stats for your own podcast, you can do this easily.
Step one: Open the Spotify app, and go to settings.
Step two: Go to your profile, and click see all.
Step three: Click on individual shows or episodes to view specific stats.
FAQs on Spotify podcast charts
Still not sure you have what it takes to make the Spotify podcast charts? Here are our answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is the number one most-listened-to podcast on Spotify?
Spotify’s podcast charts are updated regularly, so the number one podcast changes frequently. The best way to find the most up-to-date information is by viewing the Spotify podcast charts in real time.
How do I find my podcast ranking on Spotify?
If your podcast is in the top 100 for your country or category, you’ll be able to see it listed in the charts! If it isn’t, you can visit your account settings to see how your content is performing.
How do you rate a podcast on Spotify?
Spotify has introduced a rating system that allows users to provide a star rating for podcasts they listen to. To rate a podcast, tap the three-dot menu below the podcast cover. Then choose how many stars you’d like to give the show.
How can you tell how many subscribers a podcast has on Spotify?
As a Spotify user, you can’t see how many Spotify listeners any podcast has unless the podcast is your own. However, some podcasts list their listener base stats online using other sites, such as Podchaser Pro.
Want to kickstart your podcasting journey? Get started by using Riverside to capture studio-quality audio today!
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