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Justin tackles the critical question every podcaster should ask: is your content actually resonating with listeners? Moving beyond surface-level feedback from super fans, he introduces a data-driven approach centered on retention metrics—the one metric that's nearly impossible to manipulate or buy. Justin breaks down the three essential retention measurements he tracks on every episode: average consumption (the baseline content quality score), opening retention (whether your intro hooks listeners in the first two minutes), and episode completion rate (who's still there to hear your call to action). He provides specific benchmarks for each metric, explains what high and low scores reveal about your content, and shares actionable strategies to improve performance across all three areas. Plus, he walks through exactly where to find these metrics in Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts for Creators, and YouTube Studio.

Key Takeaways:

• Retention is the most valuable podcast metric because attention is the hardest resource to capture and nearly impossible to fake

• Average consumption of 70%+ means your content is strong and ready for growth

• The biggest drop-off happens in the first two minutes—opening retention above 75% indicates a strong hook

• Episode completion rates put your call-to-action strategy in perspective—only 1-5% of end-listeners take action

• Making episodes tighter and focusing on one main takeaway per episode improves average consumption

• Standard intros over 30 seconds are likely too long and hurt opening retention

• Shorter episodes (20-30 minutes) are trending as listeners prefer content that fits within single activities

• Access retention data through Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts for Creators, and YouTube Studio analytics

Key Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Is Your Podcast Content Really Resonating with Listeners?

(00:00:51) - Is Retention the Only Podcast Metric That Matters?

(00:03:45) - Retention Metric #1: Average Consumption

(00:05:35) - Retention Metric #2: Opening Retention

(00:07:46) - Retention Metric #3: Episode Completion Rate

(00:10:58) - How Can Podcasters Improve Their Episode Retention?

(00:14:29) - How to Access These Podcast Analytics

(00:16:33) - Retention is Proof Your Podcast Is Working

Key Topics Discussed:

Podcast Retention, Retention Metrics, Content Quality, Average Consumption, Opening Retention, Episode Completion Rate, Podcast Analytics, Listener Engagement, Podcast Data, Audience Attention, Content Performance, Rating and Reviews, Social Media Followers, Podcast Downloads, Download Quality, Content Marketing, Podcast Strategy, Listener Retention, Episode Pacing, Storytelling, Podcast Intros, Hook Strategy, Call to Action, Conversion Rates, Podcast Benchmarks, Content Improvement, Pattern Breaks, Episode Segmentation, Standard Introductions, Episode Length, Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcasts for Creators, YouTube Studio, YouTube Analytics, Video Podcasts, Retention Charts, Podcast Growth, Super Fans, Audience Growth, Listener Loyalty, Content Value, Episode Structure, Podcast Hosting, Justin Peters, SimplePod Studios, Retention Graphs, Analytics Tutorial, Business Podcasters, Content Creators, Podcast Consultation