Today, we are diving into a study done by Edison Research. Edison Research is a company that specializes in podcasting metrics and audio data. So, we are going to dive into this study comparing the top podcasting genres from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024.
Let’s take a look at this graph here that compares the top genres from last year and this year. As we can see, number one is comedy, of course — no change. Comedy is king. If you’re a comedian, that’s good news. But, if you’re not Joe Rogan or famous, it might be a bit tough to succeed in this genre. Still, for those with a comedic touch, this could help you grow your reach in some capacity.
View graph here:https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-top-podcast-genres-in-the-u-s-q1-2024/
What’s interesting is that society and culture has gone up by reach, which caught my eye, while news has gone down, which was surprising to me. Considering what’s coming up in November here in the U.S., it’ll be interesting to see how the news genre changes next quarter. This data is from the U.S., by the way — there’s a UK version on their website if you’re interested.
As for true crime and sports, no shocker there — these are solidly popular genres. True crime, in particular, remains one of the podcasting gold mines. Now, for what really grabbed my attention: TV and film podcasts have gone down a little, which I found interesting, but fiction has actually gone up by two points. That’s good news if you’re into the fiction genre — this might be the perfect time to start something!
Music has also hit a high note with a two-point increase, which is pretty cool. So, both music and fiction are on the rise, which makes sense — people love creative genres and are passionate about them.
So, how can you use this study to help you if you’re starting a podcast or already established?
For new podcasters, here’s what you can do — something I’ve done myself. Go through this graph and look at all the different genres. This list has all the genres from Apple Podcasts. Find ones you’re passionate about or interested in, and start brainstorming ideas. For example, if you enjoy fiction, now is a great time to jump in. You could do a weekly story narration or read other people’s stories (with permission, of course). Or maybe you enjoy book reviews — BookTube on YouTube is super popular, but if you’re more into audio, why not start a podcast reviewing fiction books?
If you’re an established podcaster, this data can help you evolve and expand your reach. Let’s say your podcast is in a genre that’s declining, like TV and film. While this drop is just a year-to-year comparison for Q1, not a long-term trend, it might still be worth considering what you can do to adapt. Maybe you could start a YouTube channel or branch out into social media to increase your reach.
Final Thoughts
This Edison Research study gives us a lot to think about when it comes to podcasting trends. For new podcasters, it offers a way to see which genres are growing and where opportunities might lie. For more established podcasters, it’s a chance to rethink your approach and evolve your content.
If you’re curious to dive deeper, I recommend checking out Edison Research’s website where they provide more detailed information and studies like this one.
In future articles I’ll dive into more research and studies to help guide you on your podcasting quest. So, if you found this helpful, make sure to like, subscribe.We’re all on a journey to avoid pitfalls and pesky orcs that might try to throw us off course.
References:
For more details on the podcast genre study, visit Edison Research:https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-top-podcast-genres-in-the-u-s-q1-2024/
