As an avid podcast listener, I often find myself asking: what influences the audio content I gravitate toward? To explore this curiosity, I decided to gather data on 15 popular podcasts using the Spotify insights available to me as a user.

In this post, I’ll break down my analysis of the key factors that drive podcast popularity and influence listener engagement. While I don’t have access to detailed listener retention data, I’ve focused my analysis on metrics like Spotify ratings and social media followings as indicators of popularity. The 15 podcasts I selected for this project are pictured here—let’s dive in!

This analysis examines the correlation between a podcast host's pre-existing fame and their social media follower counts. The data suggests that hosts who were already famous prior to starting their podcasts have significantly higher average follower counts on platforms like TikTok (956,857) and Instagram (762,286) compared to those who were not famous (628,322 on TikTok and 457,715 on Instagram). The influence of prior fame on podcast popularity lies in visibility and credibility.

A well-known host already has:

• A built-in audience eager to follow their next project.

• Credibility in their field or niche, making listeners more likely to trust and tune in.

• Access to broader media coverage, collaborations, and sponsorship opportunities.

On social media, these advantages translate into higher follower counts and greater engagement, ultimately funneling more listeners to their podcasts. Meanwhile, lesser-known hosts have to rely on organic growth and unique content to build their platform, which can be slower but equally impactful over time with the right strategy. While quality content remains critical, this data underscores the advantage of leveraging an established social media presence for driving podcast popularity.

My first question: Were the hosts famous prior to starting the podcast?

My next question: Does genre have an impact on a podcast’s popularity?

Let’s break it down:

The Popularity Contest: Who’s Winning the Spotify Review Game?

When it comes to sheer audience engagement, one genre takes the crown: True Crime. With an impressive average of 75,633 reviews, this genre proves it has an unparalleled ability to grab and hold attention. Whether it’s the suspenseful storytelling or the universal fascination with unsolved mysteries, True Crime dominates the conversation.

Hot on its heels is the Celebrity genre, averaging 62,200 reviews. From celebrity-hosted interviews to juicy behind-the-scenes stories, listeners seem drawn to the glitz and glamour of this category. Personal Stories also shine here, averaging 32,400 reviews, suggesting that audiences love authentic, relatable content.

On the other end of the spectrum, Music podcasts average just 2,500 reviews, while Pop Culture trails with 6,800 reviews. While these genres may have loyal followings, they lack the widespread appeal needed to generate massive engagement.

Quality Speaks Volumes: Average Spotify Ratings

While reviews tell us about popularity, ratings reveal what listeners think of the podcasts they consume. The good news? Across the board, podcasts are loved by their audiences, with most genres boasting average ratings between 4.3 and 4.9 stars.

American Football, Celebrity, and Personal Stories top the charts with perfect or near-perfect scores of 4.9, suggesting their content is not only widely consumed but also deeply appreciated. Even True Crime, with its massive audience, maintains a solid 4.6 rating, which speaks to its consistent quality.

Interestingly, even lesser-reviewed genres like Music hold their own in terms of ratings, scoring an average of 4.3. This suggests that while these podcasts might not have widespread reach, they cater effectively to a smaller, loyal audience.

How Popularity and Ratings Work Together

The relationship between reviews and ratings paints a fascinating picture of podcast success. True Crime and Celebrity genres strike the perfect balance: sky-high review counts paired with strong ratings, proving they can appeal to large audiences while maintaining quality. Smaller genres like Music and Pop Culture show that popularity isn’t everything—high ratings signal loyal listeners who deeply value the content, even if the audience size is smaller. Overall, the narrow range of ratings across genres (4.3–4.9) suggests that podcast quality is generally well-regarded, regardless of popularity.

The Takeaway

Podcasting is a delicate dance between popularity and quality. Genres like True Crime and Celebrity lead the way with mass appeal and strong listener satisfaction, while smaller genres hold their ground with loyal audiences and high ratings. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or a budding creator, the key is to captivate your audience and give them a reason to keep coming back—and maybe leave a review while they’re at it!

My third question: How Does Allowing Guests to Join Influence a Podcast’s Popularity?

Podcasts that feature guests see an average of 869,660 TikTok followers, a dramatic increase compared to just 209,500 followers for those that don’t. Why? Guests often bring their own audience into the fold, sharing podcast clips or highlights with their established fan base. This boosts visibility and engagement on TikTok, a platform known for its ability to make content go viral. By tapping into the guest’s reach, podcasts can achieve exponential growth and attract new, dedicated listeners.

The trend is just as clear on Instagram. Podcasts with guests boast an average follower count of 645,508, more than double the 303,061 followers for podcasts without guests. Collaborative posts, behind-the-scenes interactions, and shoutouts on Stories or Reels allow the guest's audience to engage with the podcast, creating a cycle of increased exposure and interest. This not only strengthens social media presence but also drives more listeners to check out the episodes.

The Ripple Effect on Podcast Popularity

So how do these social media numbers translate into podcast popularity? The answer lies in visibility. When guests share their episodes, the podcast reaches new audiences who might never have discovered it otherwise. This heightened exposure leads to:

• More streaming platform listens and downloads.

• A spike in reviews and ratings, which boosts algorithmic rankings.

• Greater brand recognition in niche or mainstream spaces, depending on the guest’s influence.

Why Guests Are a Game-Changer

Allowing guests to join your podcast isn’t just about providing fresh perspectives—it’s about leveraging their reach to build your platform. Guests act as amplifiers, bridging the gap between your existing audience and their own. The results are clear: more followers, more engagement, and ultimately, more listeners tuning in to your show.

If you’re a podcast creator looking to grow your audience, the data makes it clear—bringing on guests is one of the most effective strategies for skyrocketing your podcast’s popularity. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your reach and make a lasting impression in the podcasting world.

In the quest to find out which of the 15 podcasts I studied takes the crown for overall popularity, I developed an "Overall Popularity Score". This score accounts for a podcast’s presence across key platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify, by summing their follower counts, Spotify ratings, and Spotify review numbers. To ensure fairness, if a podcast lacked a TikTok or Instagram account, I adjusted the calculation by dividing the total by the fields available. So, which podcast stands out?

The Undisputed Champion: "New Heights"

Topping the list with an impressive 7,208,955 Overall Popularity Score, "New Heights" dominates by a wide margin. This podcast has not only mastered the art of engaging its audience but has also leveraged its multi-platform presence to perfection. With millions of followers and high listener engagement, it clearly sets the standard for what a truly popular podcast looks like.

Strong Contenders: "Two Hot Takes" and "BFFs"

In second place, "Two Hot Takes" scores an incredible 4,277,105, while "BFFs" follows with 1,941,155. These podcasts shine due to their strong social media followings and high engagement levels, though their overall popularity doesn’t quite reach the same level as "New Heights." Still, they represent highly successful shows with loyal and active audiences.

Middle of the Pack: Crime, Comedy, and Conversations

Podcasts like "Chicks in the Office" (1,419,705) and "Crime Junkie" (1,397,530) stand out for their consistency across metrics. With robust follower counts and consistently high ratings, they maintain a strong presence but don’t climb to the upper echelons of overall popularity.

Notable names like "Morbid" (1,092,230) and "Giggly Squad" (1,029,655) perform well, especially in niche categories, proving that dedicated audiences can drive substantial popularity without reaching mass-market levels.

Lagging Behind: Niche Favorites

At the lower end of the spectrum, podcasts like "Las Culturistas" (141,755) and "Something Was Wrong" (103,057) fall far behind the top players. While they may have smaller audiences, these shows cater to specific niches, and their popularity within their communities shouldn't be discounted.

"Every Single Album," with a score of only 960, seems to have the smallest reach and engagement of all the podcasts studied, suggesting significant room for growth in its audience-building efforts.

Why "New Heights" Leads the Pack

"New Heights" succeeds because it excels across every metric: its strong TikTok and Instagram presence drives visibility, while high Spotify ratings and reviews show that listeners love the content. Its multi-platform dominance ensures it reaches massive audiences, creating a feedback loop that continuously boosts its popularity.

The Takeaway

"New Heights" is the clear winner in this study of podcast popularity. Its broad appeal, strong engagement across platforms, and high-quality content solidify its position at the top. While other podcasts like "Two Hot Takes" and "BFFs" are strong contenders, none match the all-around success of "New Heights."

For aspiring podcasters, the lesson is clear: a multi-platform strategy and consistent engagement are crucial to building a truly popular podcast. Whether you’re aiming for mass-market appeal or niche domination, focusing on your audience and diversifying your presence can make all the difference.

My final question: Out of the 15 podcasts I chose to study, which one is truly the most popular?