According to a survey conducted last year, Comedy was the most preferred podcast category in the US.
Besides this, survey respondents were also likely to listen to news podcasts, particularly stories based on crime and health and fitness.
Podcasts are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide since they are easily downloadable formats, with Apple and Spotify leading in the race.
Also, it is estimated that the number of people listening to podcasts right now stands at 75.9 million, and this number will grow to more than one billion by 2024.
The same study also found that while Spotify podcasts were more prevalent among age groups between 18 and 34, Apple got an equal share of listeners from all age groups.
Why Choosing The Right Podcast Category is Important?
It would help if you had ideas to launch a podcast. More importantly, it would help if you had as many listeners as possible to be a successful podcaster.
However, not every genre or category is suitable for all podcasters and each listener’s taste. So, you will need to choose the type that is best suited for you.
There are different categories to pick from, including Arts, Business, Comedy, Education, and more. However, when you create a podcast, you must also decide on a niche or category that appeals to your listeners.
When you choose a place or type, it means that you have in-depth knowledge and insights about that niche.
Think of it in this way. Let’s say you want to create a podcast on marketing. Marketing is a broad niche where you can cover various topics such as content marketing or digital marketing.
While you may have extensive knowledge of both, you must also consider your target audience. That is, for who you are creating the podcasts.
If you can provide your listeners with a detailed deep dive into the topic, you can earn your audience’s trust and become an expert podcaster.
However, you won’t become successful just by creating one podcast. You must also be consistent in your work and keep coming up with new topics.
Your podcasts should be centered around your niche, but you must develop a different topic for each episode. Only then will you gain listeners, and your podcast will become famous and grow to new heights.
How to Choose a Podcast Category?
So, now that you know why you should be adept in a specific niche to create a podcast, it is time to learn how to choose a podcast category. Three key aspects go into selecting a podcast category.
Learn About Indexing
Most podcasts air on various applications for different platforms, such as Windows, iOS, and Android. Some popular applications include those by Apple, Google, and Spotify.
So, most podcasters create their episodes for these platforms. When creating a podcast, particularly when choosing a category, it is vital to understand how these platforms index them.
That is, how they organize and categorize each episode and appear amidst millions of other such podcasts.
Also, you can use various applications for creating podcasts. An excellent example of such an application would be Simplecast that supports Apple podcasts.
You can make up to three top-level categories and sub-categories using this application. However, before you create a podcast using
Simpleacast, or other such applications, you must know what types are trending by researching about them.
Moreover, the first one is the most important of the three categories that Simplecast lets you create. So, you must choose this category carefully by researching trending categories.
However, you can start with broad niches like Arts, Business, and Comedy.
So, remember that when choosing a category for your podcast shows, it is important to note how apps like Spotify or Apple Podcasts index them to make yours stand out.
Pick at least 3 Categories
You should choose at least three categories as most applications for creating podcasts let you choose only as much.
However, you don’t need to worry too much about picking the correct categories, as you have more than one, and either will work when the others fail.
So, don’t forget to choose at least three categories for your podcast shows.
Primary and Secondary Categories
When submitting a podcast to directories such as Apple Podcasts, you are asked to select a primary category and may also select a secondary category. The primary category is the main category that best represents your podcast, while the secondary category is an additional category that further describes your podcast.
It’s important to choose the right primary category, as this will determine where your podcast appears in search results and category listings. You should also consider selecting a secondary category if your podcast covers multiple topics or themes.
Overall, understanding podcast categories is essential for podcasters who want to reach their target audience and attract new listeners. By selecting the right category or categories, you can increase the visibility of your podcast and connect with listeners who are interested in your content.
Know When to Change Categories
No one category has had trends for a long time. So, make sure you switch categories every once in a while.
That way, your listeners don’t lose interest in your shows, and they gain something valuable from them as well. However, don’t keep changing or switching categories intermittently.
You should know when to switch categories by knowing the currently trending categories. Podcasts have evolved immensely over the years, and there are hundreds of categories from which you can run the show.
However, when choosing a podcast category or switching it up, you should also consider your target audience and preferences. That is, you should know who to target, and more importantly, what they like to listen to.
What if My Podcast Doesn’t Fit Any Category?
Sometimes, it so happens that your podcast may not fit into any of the popular categories. Creating episodes on a trending niche or category and promoting them to counter such situations is essential.
However, more importantly, you must understand why you make a podcast for a specific user.
If you want your podcasts to attain fame and make a ton of money, you will need to learn how to get your users back to you for more.
So, here are a few tips that should help you come out with special episodes and get the word out to your listeners.
Tips to choose podcast category
#1 Making That First Impression
If you want to make a long-lasting impression on your listeners, you need to get it right from the start.
Most listeners, especially those looking to learn more about a new product or service that has just come out into the markets, may listen to only a few seconds of your podcasts.
So, make sure that those first few seconds of your new podcast count for your listeners’ sake.
#2 It’s All About the Name
As suggested earlier, it isn’t enough if you create one episode, and you need to be consistent and churn out a couple of shows if you want to get going.
So, it would help if you created a podcast – a compelling one, enough for your listeners to come back for more.
The name is one of the most critical aspects of making your episodes stand out to listeners. So, you must ensure that you come up with a catchy phrase or title for your attacks.
Most listeners judge your podcast based on the name, meaning that naming your shows is vital for creating them.
However, you should make sure that the names of your podcasts are striking and that they are based on the niches in which you are creating the episodes.
So, naming your shows right can go a long way in bringing you more listeners and pave the way towards becoming a successful podcaster.
Also, your podcasts must contain a short description of the episode so that your users know what they are listening to.
One of the reasons for this is that your listeners should know who they are listening to and whether they are an expert on the topic.
So, unless you are already a renowned podcaster in a particular niche or category, you should mention your name and the description of each episode that you are delivering to your listeners.
#3 Show Your Artwork
These days, names and descriptions are rarely cut, as most Internet users are already used to watching videos, mainly tutorials, to get the information they need.
So, in addition to your name and the description of the episode, you must also have a label. Most podcast creation tools also let you create a brand. So, make sure that you label your podcasts in a way that draws the attention of your listeners.
By doing so, your users will know who they are listening to and their expertise on a specific topic by seeing the label printed on it when they download an episode.
Also, by going through the description provided for each episode, they will know what that particular episode is all about and whether they will get the information they seek.
So, make sure that you have your name and description printed on the cover artwork for all your podcast shows and episodes.
Importance of Choosing the Right Category
Choosing the right category for a podcast is crucial for its success. It helps in attracting the right audience and increasing discoverability. The following subsections elaborate on the importance of choosing the right category.
Relevance to Audience
Choosing the right category ensures that the podcast is relevant to the target audience. The category should accurately reflect the content of the podcast. This helps in attracting listeners who are interested in the topic and are more likely to engage with the content. For instance, a podcast about cooking should be categorized under Food, rather than Business or Technology.
Impact on Discoverability
Choosing the right category impacts the discoverability of the podcast. It helps in reaching the right audience and increasing visibility on podcast platforms. When a podcast is categorized correctly, it appears in the relevant search results and recommendations. This increases the chances of attracting new listeners and building a loyal audience.
Furthermore, categorizing a podcast under a specific category helps in bypassing the main categories and reaching a more targeted audience. For instance, if a podcast is about coffee, it can be categorized under Leisure, Hobbies, Food, Business, History, or How To, depending on the nature of the show and the topics discussed during the episodes. By choosing the right category, the podcast can attract listeners who are interested in the specific topic and are more likely to engage with the content.
In conclusion, choosing the right category is crucial for the success of a podcast. It ensures that the podcast is relevant to the target audience and increases discoverability. By categorizing a podcast correctly, it can attract the right audience, increase visibility on podcast platforms, and build a loyal following.
Popular Categories
- Arts and Comedy: Popular for improv, sketch comedy, and arts discussions. Hosted by experts, they discuss literature, music, and visual arts.
- Business and Education: Covers entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, science, history, and philosophy. Hosted by business owners and academics for in-depth insights.
- Sports and Health: Includes analysis and commentary on sports like football and basketball, and health topics like nutrition and mental health. Hosted by former players and health experts.
How do I determine the best category for my podcast?
Choosing the right category for your podcast can be challenging, but it is crucial for its success. To determine the best category for your podcast, consider the topic, audience, and format of your show. You should also research the categories that are most relevant to your podcast and see which ones are the most popular.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when selecting a podcast category?
One common mistake to avoid when selecting a podcast category is choosing a category that is too broad or too narrow for your content. Another mistake is selecting a category that is not relevant to your content, which can result in your podcast being overlooked by potential listeners. It’s also important to avoid selecting a category based solely on its popularity, as this may not accurately reflect the content of your show.
How can I change my podcast’s category if needed?
If you need to change your podcast’s category, you can do so by logging into your podcast hosting platform and updating the category in your podcast settings. However, it’s important to note that changing your podcast’s category may affect its visibility and discoverability, so it’s best to choose the most relevant category from the start.
Closing Thoughts
So, remember to choose a trending niche to stand a chance to become a renowned podcast creator. Also, you don’t need to worry too much about creating a podcast.
There are various tools available across platforms such as Windows, Android, and iOS that help you with that and let you categorize your episodes and shows and label them.
Another thing to remember is that you should pick at least three categories or niches for all your shows so that you can count on any one of them if either fails to deliver.
Also, don’t forget to give each episode a catchy name or title – one that is striking to your listeners.
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