Apple Podcasts dominated nearly every category, only falling behind Spotify in the directories and innovation categories. The final “overall” category, which inquired about podcast publishers’ “overall impression” of these services, demonstrated Apple’s success this year, scoring 3.6 out of 5, up from 3.2 last year. In comparison, Spotify received a score of 3.2, up from 3.0.
Numerous podcasters commended Apple Podcasts for its accessibility and enhanced service over the past year. One podcaster even remarked, “Apple has really, really, really invested in this. They used to suck! Kudos to them!”
Google Podcasts was the only platform to see a decline in ranking. Meanwhile, YouTube, despite not launching anything new, is already in a competitive position against Apple and Spotify.
Podnews concluded that while both Apple and Spotify have witnessed significant growth in their rankings, there is still ample room for improvement in the podcast industry. The report emphasizes the necessity for better tools for creators and listeners.
The report card’s results underscore Apple Podcasts’ long-standing reputation as the go-to platform for podcast creators. Apple’s dedication to enhancing its services and features has evidently paid off, and its popularity among podcasters remains steadfast.
The report card also indicates that Apple Podcasts is still the leader in monetization, scoring 3.5, followed by Spotify with 2.9. This could be due to Apple’s long-standing practice of taking a smaller percentage of subscription fees than some competitors.
It’s worth noting that, despite Apple Podcasts’ high scores, many creators expressed disappointment with Apple’s lack of innovation in this area, with Spotify taking the lead in this category. Spotify has been breaking new ground with features such as video integration in podcasts, exclusive content, and personalized recommendations.
Nonetheless, Apple’s dominance in the sector should not be underestimated. With over two million active shows and 50 billion all-time downloads and streams, Apple Podcasts has established itself as a key player in the podcast industry.
Moreover, recent reports suggest that Apple is planning to expand its offerings with original content and paid subscriptions, demonstrating that the company is not content to rest on its laurels.