6 Podcast Trends in 2023

Podcasting has experienced explosive growth over the last few years. With more and more people tuning in to their favorite shows daily, the demand for fresh, high-quality content has led to a surge of new podcasters joining the industry. This has, in turn, driven the evolution of podcasting.

So what does the future hold for podcasting?

As the podcast industry continues to grow, it’s essential to stay on top of the latest trends and shifts in the market. Don’t worry though because we at Wildfire Creative have done the work for you!

Here are six podcast trends that we can expect to see in 2023.

Niching Down

With the growing number of podcasts available, audiences are looking for shows that focus on specific topics and interests. In 2023, we expect to see more podcasts focusing on niche subjects catering to specific audiences. For example, we may see more shows that focus specifically on 90s pop culture or television history instead of a general pop culture podcast.

One way to narrow your focus is to think about who your podcast is for. (Remember, it’s not about you!) For example, a podcast about freelance writing can be specifically for beginners or experts. A podcast about productivity can be aimed at freelance developers, designers, etc.

Live Events

Virtual events became quite popular in 2020 thanks to the pandemic. However, now that the world is returning to “normal,” live podcast events have been on the rise recently and this trend is expected to continue this year and beyond. As you know, podcasts are a great way to build a community around a show and live events offer the opportunity to connect with listeners in person. You can expect more live podcast events, such as live recordings, Q&A sessions, and meet-and-greets with hosts.

Engaging with your audience and community is a great way to grow your podcast audience, especially with your “die-hard” fans – so whatever your podcast niche is, your audience will appreciate a chance to connect with you during a live show. There’s no better way to enhance communication with listeners than with a live podcast.

Focus on Quality and Creativity

As more and more podcasts enter the market, shows need to stand out from the crowd. You’ve got to be able to set yourself apart. This year we can expect to see a focus on high-quality production and creative storytelling. Shows prioritizing quality and creativity are more likely to attract and retain listeners.

Apart from delivering outstanding content, you should also provide the best quality possible, including audio, video quality (if you are sharing those video snippets), and of course, consistent marketing and promotion!

Optimizing the User Experience with Data

As with any digital medium, data plays a crucial role in podcasting. In 2023, we can expect more shows using data to optimize the user experience. This includes using data to identify listener preferences, improve content recommendations, and track user engagement.

So how do you start?

Start with researching popular keywords as those will help you with popular topics to keep your listeners entertained – which will also result in higher engagement rates. Make sure to combine general market information about listeners, such as level of engagement and purchasing habits, with the data you get from your analytics. Track the engagement of individual episodes and your data-driven marketing moves to then adjust your podcasting strategy accordingly.

Growth of Programmatic Ads

Advertising is a crucial source of revenue for many podcasts, and we can expect programmatic ads to become more prevalent in 2023. Programmatic ads are automated ads that use data to target specific audiences. As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, these ads offer a way for advertisers to reach a highly engaged and targeted audience.

This type of advertising is an excellent way to start monetizing your podcast. You sign up and then watch the money coming into your account without having to produce a single ad. Once you choose your categories, the technology found at Buzzsprout handles placing the ads in your episodes.

Voice Search

Voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Home are becoming more popular and this trend is expected to continue this year. As a result, we can expect to see more podcasts optimized for voice search. Optimizing for voice search can help your podcast reach a larger audience and make it easier for people to find your content.

Here are a few tips on how to optimize your podcast content for voice search:

1. Use conversational language: When people use voice search, they tend to use conversational language. Therefore, using natural language in your podcast’s written content is essential.
2. Include long tail keywords: These are often more conversational and can help your content rank higher in voice search results.
3. Answer common questions: Voice search is often used to ask questions, so it’s important to anticipate your audience’s questions and provide clear answers in your podcast’s written content. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up your content and make it easy for voice assistants to extract the information.
4. Optimize your metadata: Make sure your metadata includes relevant long-tail keywords and provides a clear and concise description of your podcast.

In conclusion, the podcasting industry is constantly growing and changing, and 2023 is shaping up to be another big year in this Golden Era of Podcasting. With a focus on quality and creativity, niche content, live events, data optimization, programmatic ads, and voice search, the future of podcasting looks bright!