Most podcasters assume discovery happens through social media, word of mouth, or being featured by the editorial teams at Apple Podcasts or Spotify. But the data tells a very different story. In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Han, CMO at Ausha, to unpack how listeners actually choose their next podcast, and why most creators are optimizing for the wrong behaviors.

What surprised even me is how dominant in-app search has become.

According to the industry discovery research we discuss, one in two podcast listeners discover new shows directly inside podcast apps, and 70% of them use the search bar.

Editorial features and charts? They account for a fraction of discovery.

If you want to grow sustainably, understanding how Apple Podcasts and Spotify search really work it’s truly foundational to surpass your competitors.

For the full list of links, resources and show notes, please visit:

https://thepodcastspace.com/podcast/s4-113-pso-and-ranking-on-podcast-platforms

Try PSO [affiliate link]: https://ausha.co/?fpr=psothepodcastspace

👩‍💻 Book your Podcast Power Hour: thepodcastspace.com/powerhour

• 00:46 - Meet Jennifer Han: Chief Marketing Officer for Ausha
• 01:33 - Understanding Podcast Search Optimization
• 06:45 - Practical Tips for Podcast Metadata
• 15:05 - Optimizing for Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• 23:07 - Tracking and Analyzing Podcast Performance
• 28:13 - Conclusion and Additional Resources

If you ask most podcasters what they’re doing to grow their show, the answers sound familiar: posting clips on social media, chasing consistency, experimenting with video, and hoping the algorithm finally notices them. But when you look at the data - real, self-reported data from creators who’ve been at this for years - a different story emerges. Growth isn’t evenly distributed, and effort doesn’t automatically translate into momentum. Some podcasts with massive audiences are shrinking, while smaller, focused shows are quietly compounding month over month. The gap isn’t about talent or effort but it’s truly about strategy.

That’s why my conversation with Jeremy Enns stopped me in my tracks. As the researcher behind the Podcast Marketing Trends Report, Jeremy looks past tactics and into patterns. What stood out most wasn’t what podcasters should be doing, but what actually correlates with sustainable growth and what doesn’t. Even more striking: his personal recommendation for podcasters who want to grow without ever touching social media.

Not as a contrarian take, but as a data-informed one.

• 03:10 – Who took the Podcast Marketing Trends Report 2005
• 05:30 – Why Big Podcasts Are Shrinking While Small Shows Grow
• 07:20 – You Don’t Need a Large Audience to Build a Profitable Podcast
• 09:55 – The Reality Behind Declining Podcast Growth Rates
• 12:45 – Audio vs. Video: How Metrics Are Being Distorted
• 16:50 – Do Social Platforms Actually Drive Podcast Growth?
• 20:00 – Short-Form Video Builds Brands, Not Downloads
• 28:40 – Why Email Is the Most Underrated Growth Channel
• 37:05 – How to Grow a Podcast Without Social Media

For the full list of links, resources and show notes, please visit:

https://www.thepodcastspace.com/podcast/s4-112-what-300-podcasters-reveal-about-podcast-growth-in-2025-podcast-marketing-trends-report

👩‍💻 Book your Podcast Power Hour: thepodcastspace.com/powerhour

Check out the Podcast Marketing Trends Report.

Reflecting on the annual impact of your podcast can often feel like never-ending numbers and charts, trends, and internet buzz. Downloads, comments, views - it's easy to get overwhelmed by the metrics that are supposed to define your success.

What if I told you that you could bypass this chaos by focusing on just three crucial questions to audit your podcast effectively and strategically?

In my 15+ years of working as a podcast marketer and content strategist, I've seen creators get analysis paralysis over podcast analytics, forgetting the core reasons they started in the first place. My goal with this episode is to help you reclaim clarity and purpose for your podcast with a simple, focused audit before the end of the year. Ready?

Just hit play.

📝 Reflect back on these three vital questions:

1. Did your audience grow meaningfully?
2. Did the podcast align with your larger business goals?
3. Were your processes conducive to effortless and effective content creation?

By keeping a pulse on these areas, you're equipped to go into the new year with a renewed focus and determination.

For more focused guidance, book a discovery call to plan a content strategy that suits your goals and minimizes the overwhelming noise.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to the Simplest Podcast Audit You'll Ever Make
• 00:12 The Importance of Strategic Podcast Audits
• 00:37 Equipping Yourself for Podcast Success
• 02:23 Understanding Podcast Metrics
• 06:16 Evaluating Podcast Impact on Goals
• 13:17 Tools and Processes for Podcast Efficiency
• 24:00 Final Thoughts and Invitation

For the full list of links, resources, and show notes, please visit:

https://www.thepodcastspace.com/podcast/s4-111-the-simplest-end-of-year-podcast-audit-youll-ever-do-just-3-questions

👩‍💻 Book your Podcast Power Hour: thepodcastspace.com/powerhour