The rating of a particular podcast is a great way to determine good from bad.
Therefore, ratings are essential for the success of a particular podcast.
Not only do they provide a voice to the listener, but they are a great way to find new podcasts to listen to.
Since most podcast listening is done alone, leaving a rating is a nice way to feel a part of a community.
With this in mind, in this article, we will explore how to rate a podcast and everything you need to know about ratings.
Let’s get started.
What Are Podcast Ratings And Reviews?
Depending on the podcast platform, you are able to leave a rating and review within a designated space, as well as see others’ ratings and reviews.
Essentially, this could be seen as a shortcut to determining the quality of the particular podcast you’re looking at.
When rating a podcast, the ratings are typically judged on a 5-star scale with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.
To rate a podcast, it is as simple as clicking whichever start resonates with your experience listening to the podcast.
When looking at podcast reviews, these are generally a longer way of expressing your particular options on a specific podcast.
Rather than a simple scale, you’re provided with more freedom to get into the nitty gritty of your thoughts and opinions about the podcast.
Here, you can use a few free-form sentences or even paragraphs to articulate your feelings.
Where To Rate A Podcast?
Apple Podcasts
When thinking about podcasts, the first platform that comes to mind is Apple Podcasts. This is no surprise since podcasting has revolutionized podcasting in recent years.
Since the beginning, Apple Podcasts have used a star and text system to allow its users to leave reviews and ratings.
This process is as simple as clicking a star on the Apple Podcasts app or writing a longer review to clearly showcase your thoughts.
How do I rate an Apple podcast?
You can rate and review an Apple Podcast as follows:
- Open the Apple Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Search for the podcast that you want to rate or review.
- Tap the podcast’s name to view its details page.
- Scroll down until you see “Ratings & Reviews”.
- Tap to rate the podcast with one to five stars.
- If you want to write a review in addition to a rating, tap “Write a Review”, enter your review, then tap “Send”.
On a Mac or PC:
- Open iTunes.
- Search for the podcast that you want to rate or review.
- Click the podcast’s name to view its details page.
- Click “Ratings and Reviews”.
- Under “Customer Reviews”, click “Write a Review”.
- Rate the podcast using one to five stars.
- Write a review, then click “Submit”.
Podchaser
Podchaser is a platform that really values its listener’s feedback. In fact, the main page
consists of ratings and reviews!
When you arrive on their page, you’re considered as a peer rather than a tool used in the advertising market.
A notable campaign is Podchaser’s ‘#Reviews4Good’ which raises money for Meals On Wheels, to increase participation.
Spotify
A more recent member of the podcast rating party is Spotify.
Using the Spotify app on either iOS or Android devices, you can now easily rate your favorite podcasts for all to see.
Although, before rating a particular show, you must listen to more than 30 seconds.
Plus, the podcast’s overall score is only visible once more than 10 different people have left reviews.
How To Rate A Podcast?
Have you ever wondered why star rating systems consistently work in odd numbers? Well, this is used to ensure a stable mid-[pint.
When using odd starts, ratings are able to fall in an either/or dichotomy. Although, dividing podcasts into ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ isn’t very informative.
Below, we have broken down the different star values to provide you with an idea of how to rate your podcasts.
Three Out Of Five Stars
This rating is probably the most indecisive one of all. Since it falls exactly in the middle, it is hard to determine its value.
This means that the podcast attributes both positive and negative aspects, but balances one another out. For these podcast ratings, it’s a take-or-leave situation.
Two Out Of Five Stars
Now that we have determined the midpoint, it’s easier to put a value on the other ratings.
For a two-star rating, if the positive attributes outweigh the negatives, it can be used in this situation.
One Out Of Five Stars
The lowest rating sends a clear message to avoid the product at all costs.
Therefore, don’t use this rating unless there are no positive elements to the podcast.
Although, before delivering a one-star review, ensure you have thoroughly thought about the review and whether or not it is required.
Four Out Of Five Stars
Now that we are done with the depressing side, it’s time to look toward the more positive side of the scale. For a four-star rating, the positives outweigh the negatives.
Maybe the presentation was polished and practiced with clear audio quality, although the information was slightly inaccurate, here a four-star rating would be applicable.
Alternatively, it can also go for podcasts that you may think you’d potentially listen to again but aren’t likely to recommend to others – this is a four-star rating.
Five Out Of Five Stars
On the other side of the spectrum – like how a one-star rating informs people to avoid the podcast – a five-star rating sends a clear message that it is amazing.
This is usually a recommended rating since it is one of the most positive ratings – making you feel good about yourself.
Although, five-star ratings can be handed out so often that they don’t hold very much meaning anymore.
While they can make a podcaster feel good about themselves, it goes against the principles of criticism.
So, like a one-star rating, you want to think about why you’re delivering this score and do they deserve it.
Here are some factors to consider:
- Did the podcast help you in some way?
- Did it leave you feeling better than you started?
- Do you want to share it with others?
- Did it inspire you?
Why rate a podcast?
Rating a podcast can serve several purposes, both for listeners and for the creators of the podcasts. Here are a few reasons why rating a podcast can be important:
- Discovery: Ratings can help other listeners discover new podcasts. Highly rated podcasts are more likely to be recommended by the podcast platform’s algorithms to other users. This is especially true on platforms like Apple Podcasts.
- Feedback: Ratings provide valuable feedback to podcast creators. High ratings confirm they are meeting their listeners’ needs and expectations, while lower ratings might indicate areas for improvement. Some platforms also allow for written reviews along with ratings, which can provide more detailed feedback.
- Support: If you enjoy a podcast, rating it positively is a simple way to support the creators. High ratings can attract more listeners and even potential sponsors, which can contribute to the podcast’s growth and sustainability.
- Credibility: High ratings can lend credibility to a podcast, indicating to potential new listeners that it’s worth their time. If a podcast has a high number of positive ratings, it’s likely that the content is engaging, well-produced, or particularly informative.
Remember, if you enjoy a podcast, rating and reviewing it is a free and easy way to help support the creators and contribute to the podcast community.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that a particular rating can make or break the success of a podcast.
Typically, lower-rated podcasts are avoided, while, on the other hand, you know it’s a good podcast when it is rated five out of five stars.
Moreover, leaving reviews and rating is excellent for getting your opinions across, and helping people determine what to listen to next.
Hopefully, this article has informed you on how to rate a podcast.
