Podcast stats are on the rise in the U.S.A. Here is a graphic showing the results since 2008—information sourced from Edison Research.

Video podcasts, or "vodcasts," have become increasingly popular, with platforms like YouTube and Spotify investing heavily in video content. As of late 2024, 40% of U.S. weekly podcast listeners preferred watching podcasts, up from 28% in 2022.

This signals a tell-tale sign that most people are continuing to watch video content, and this could be based on the fact that AI has become so good at creating fake audio. I find when listening to audio podcasts in 2025, I can’t help but wonder if it's even real at times.

Podcast advertising continues to surge, with ad revenue projected to surpass $2 billion this year. Advertising agencies are cashing in on the engagement aspect of podcast listeners with the content they follow, with 46% of listeners having made a purchase based on a podcast advertisement.

Additionally, podcasters are exploring new monetization avenues, including subscriptions and exclusive content.

For years, people have followed social media influencers to make purchases, and now a whole new influencer market has opened up in the past couple of years. People who follow certain podcasters seem to feel comfortable with the products they recommend.

AI is increasingly being utilized in podcast production, from generating show notes and transcripts to creating episode previews.

Tools like NotebookLM can create human-like podcasts from your notes and content. Moreover, AI-generated podcasts with constructive news framing are currently being utilized, but with mixed reviews.

The use of AI tools has streamlined content production, but most people watch and listen to podcasts to see the human side of things. I’ve tried to listen to several AI-generated podcasts and tend to turn them off after about 15 minutes in. It’s a little scary how convincing they’re becoming.

Social media platforms, particularly YouTube and Reddit, have become key channels for podcast discovery. In 2024, 58% of podcast listeners discovered new podcasts on YouTube, up from 52% in 2023. This trend underscores the importance of a strong social media presence for podcast growth.

YouTube has been where many podcasters get their start or are currently making their mark. Spotify has been gaining ground for the past two years and witnessed a notable upswing when Joe Rogan left YouTube for the platform.

I currently listen to most of my content on Spotify. This is mainly due to fewer ads. YouTube generally places its own ads within videos, and podcasters tend to sponsor products, so YouTube can feel a little on the commercial side at times.

Podcasts are diversifying in both content and audience demographics. Topics such as technology, mental health, true crime, and environmental awareness are gaining popularity. Additionally, the podcast audience is expanding, with Gen Z and women driving the growth.

Some of the up-and-comers in the podcast community no longer speak on a large range of topics, but have niched down to drive listeners.

The intense demands of podcast production have led to increased awareness of mental health issues among creators. Notably, Marc Maron announced the end of his long-running podcast "WTF with Marc Maron" in 2025, citing burnout after nearly 16 years of production.

The burnout of podcasters having to take time off in a competitive industry follows suit with other content creators, typically in correlation with YouTube. If there is an explosion of online money and opportunities, it can all boil down to who’s willing to work the hardest to get ahead.

As of 2024, podcasts have become a significant source of news for many Americans. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in July 2024, 27% of U.S. adults reported that they sometimes get news from podcasts.

This trend is particularly notable among younger adults. For instance, nearly two-thirds of Americans aged 18 to 29 have listened to a podcast in the past year, and because younger adults are more likely to be listening to podcasts in the first place, overall, they are more likely than older Americans to be exposed to news from podcasts.

Furthermore, among those who hear news on podcasts, a large majority (87%) say they expect it to be mostly accurate, indicating a high level of trust in podcast-delivered news.

Overall, podcasts are increasingly becoming a trusted and significant source of news, especially among younger demographics.