It’s all the marketing rage these days and you’re hearing about it day-in, day-out. Not only is it one of the hottest marketing tools, but given its popularity, you may also even have been a target of these strategies yourself. 

Yep, you guess right! We’re talking about podcasts. As a dropshipping entrepreneur, starting your own podcast to grow your business isn’t something you should overlook as it can bring many clear benefits and advantages to your business.

In this article, we’ll share with you ten powerful podcast statistics you need to know in 2024 that will come in handy when creating a podcast strategy for your dropshipping business.

What is a Podcast?

Before diving into podcast statistics, you first need to understand just what podcasts are.

In a nutshell, a podcast is a kind of online audio broadcast. People might listen to a podcast once-off when winding down at home after a hectic day or simply relaxing. Or, as the following podcast statistics will show, it is also popularly consumed while multitasking such as commuting to or from work, doing chores, working out, and so on.

→ Click Here to Launch Your Online Business with Shopify

Unlike a video or a blog post, a podcast does away with the visual element. In that way, it’s much easier to consume. If you want to jump straight to learning about how to start a podcast, check out this step-by-step guide!

Now that we’ve gotten the basics out of the way, let’s dive straight into the ten most powerful podcast statistics all entrepreneurs must know in 2024!

1. How Many Podcasts Are There?

Perhaps one of the most common and basic questions about podcasts is, “How many podcasts are there?”

So here’s the first of ten podcast statistics. As of 2021, there are over two million podcasts and more than 48 million podcast episodes (Podcast Insights, 2021). This is pretty startling growth, considering there were just over 500,000 active podcasts from just three years ago in 2018.

These podcast statistics are completely in line with the fact that podcasts are slowly going mainstream. In fact, it’s estimated that 83 percent of the US population is now aware of what a podcast is – up from 64 percent in 2018.

2. Podcast Listener Statistics in the US

The increase in the number of podcasts has been driven by the growing demand for them.

Aside from a slight dip in 2013, the number of podcast listeners in the US has pretty much been on the rise over the past 15 years. 

The most recent survey conducted in 2022 found more than six in ten (62 percent, to be exact) consumers above the age of 12 in the US have listened to at least one podcast (Statista, 2022). 

This marks a five percentage point increase from 2021, the biggest growth in three years. It also marks a tremendous increase from the 23 percent of consumers in 2010 who had ever listened to a podcast.

Aside from the increase in listeners, these podcast listener statistics also show that a growing number of the US public is tuning in to podcasts regularly. In 2021, 58 percent of the US population listened to podcasts at least once a month, while 29 percent did so weekly.

3. Most Popular Device Used to Listen to Podcasts

While some people tune in to podcasts on web browsers on their computers, most actually listen to podcasts through mobile apps. This is probably why portable devices are by far the most popular types of devices podcast listeners select when tuning in. 

As many as 73 percent of listeners in the US use their smartphones to listen to podcasts (Edison Research, 2022). Computers and laptops, on the other hand, are the go-to choice for just 13 percent of podcast listeners – which is likely to be the group that listens to podcasts on their web browsers. 

With these podcast statistics in mind, you may think you’re ready to launch your podcast strategy. Before you do so, consider your channel. Podcast statistics show that mobile app podcast listeners are more likely to make their way through an entire podcast episode than those tuning in through a web browser.

4. Why People Listen to Podcasts

From a consumer’s point of view, there’s just so much that podcasts can offer. From acquiring new knowledge to feeling inspired, there are plenty of reasons podcast listeners tune in.

On the top of that list is entertainment. Three out of every five podcast consumers in the US say they enjoy tuning in to podcasts to stay entertained (Pew Research Center, 2023). That aside, podcasts are also a way for them to learn new things—55 percent of people list it as a reason they listen to podcasts. 

Another reason people tune in to podcasts is to be able to multitask. Let’s face it, the ability to consume information while having your hands free to carry out other chores is an incredible lure. It is why more than half (52 percent) of Americans listen to podcasts. 

Many others tune in to learn about new perspectives or stay informed about the latest news and events—30 percent and 29 percent of podcast listeners list these as motivations to listen to podcasts, respectively.

5. Podcast Statistics: Frequency

Here’s another one of many podcast statistics to prove its rising popularity: 41 percent (32 percent) of Americans listen to podcasts at least once a month (Edison Research, 2022). 

To put things into perspective, this is not only a four percentage point increase from 37 percent the previous year but also nearly double the share of people listening to podcasts in 2016. 

It’s also interesting to note that of all podcast listeners who tune in once a month, more than half (53 percent) are men. 46 percent are women, and the remaining one percent identify as non-binary or other. 

Age also plays a role in how often Americans listen to podcasts. Half of those aged from 12 to 34 say they do so once a month, compared to 43 percent for listeners aged 35 to 54. In contrast, just 22 percent of consumers aged 55 and above tune in every month.

6. Where Podcasts Are Consumed

When it comes to the environment, it seems there’s nothing like the comfort of your own home to tune into a podcast. In fact, nine out of every ten podcast listeners in the US say they listen to podcasts at home (Edison Research, 2019).

Podcasts are also being consumed while on the move, with 64 percent, 49 percent, and 37 percent of listeners also choosing to tune in while in a car or truck, walking around, and commuting, respectively. 

And podcasts appeal as much to those who enjoy simply soaking in all that podcasts have to offer as those who enjoy multitasking. Seven out of ten podcast listeners say they don’t do anything else when listening to podcasts. Others prefer to multitask, with 59 percent listening to podcasts while doing housework, 52 percent driving, and 50 percent cooking or baking. 

7. Podcasts Spur Purchases

Business owners, pay extra attention to this next podcast statistic: 28 percent of podcast listeners have purchased a product they heard about on a podcast (Pew Research Center, 2023).

Though such podcast statistics may spur you to start your own podcast, simply launching a podcast to promote your products isn’t enough. As with all marketing efforts, increasing your brand awareness is equally as important. 

You may be interested to know that the most popular podcast topics for listeners are comedy and entertainment (such as pop culture and arts). 47 percent of listeners say they frequently tune in to podcasts about comedy, and 46 percent do so for discussions on entertainment. These are followed by politics and government (41 percent) and science and technology and history (40 percent each).

If these podcast statistics still aren’t convincing enough, how’s this: more than half of podcast listeners have followed the social media accounts of a podcast or its host(s).

8. US Podcast Ad Revenues

Here’s another statistic to highlight the growing podcast market. In 2021, marketers in the US spent a whopping $1.33 billion on podcast ads (eMarketer, 2021). 

If that isn’t enough to convince you of the growing reach and potential of podcasts, maybe this next podcast statistic will – podcast ad revenues in the US are expected to continue rising and surpass $2 billion annually by 2023. 

In 2025, marketers are forecast to spend $2.74 billion, which is more than double experts’ projections for 2021.

Given the potential of podcasts and their rising growth, it comes as no surprise, then, that even music streaming service Spotify is jumping in and has spent nearly $900 million in podcast-related acquisitions.

9. Podcast Statistics: Time Spent

According to a recent survey, more than eight out of every ten podcast listeners spend more than seven hours per week tuning into podcasts (Discover Pods, 2019). That’s an average of over an hour a day for most listeners, which, for some respondents, is more than the time they spend on social media or watching television!

For around a quarter of podcast listeners, their dedication to podcasts is nearly like a part-time job – 22.4 percent of listeners spend more than 22 hours a week (or more than three hours a day) listening to podcasts. 

The time spent listening to podcasts is also on the rise. About 30 percent of the US online population who has ever tuned into a podcast say they are listening to podcasts more now than they were a year ago. 

10. Average Number of Podcasts Consumed

Most podcast listeners in the US certainly don’t have a monogamous relationship with the audio shows they tune in to. That’s totally understandable too, given how much one can learn from podcasts. 

The average weekly podcast listener in the US branches out quite a bit, listening to nine shows in an average week (Edison Research, 2023). More than half (58 percent) listen to at least four different shows a week, and 11 percent tune into just one podcast per week.

That said, one of the main challenges listeners face today is discovering new podcasts. So to really get serious with podcasting for your business, you may want to consider going the extra mile by posting new episodes frequently and joining a podcasting community to build up your brand and ensure your podcast gets noticed. 

This can be particularly effective now as podcast familiarity in the US rises and the data points to podcasting making a comeback following a fall in listener numbers in 2022. In 2023, 83 percent of the population says they are familiar with podcasting, a 19 percentage point increase from 64 percent in 2018.

Conclusion

There you go! With these podcast statistics, you’re now fully armed with the most important podcast statistics you’ll need to know to launch your own podcast in 2024.

Your next step would be to check out our post on how to start a podcast for more podcast listener statistics plus a comprehensive step-by-step guide on setting up a podcast. 

And if you ever need a little push, check back on this post on podcast statistics for inspiration!

Summary: Podcast Statistics

Here’s a summary of the podcast statistics for 2024:

1. There are currently over two million podcasts and more than 48 million podcast episodes.
2. 62 percent of US consumers have listened to a podcast.
3. 73 percent of weekly podcast listeners tune in using their smartphones. 
4. Three in five podcast listeners in the US tune in for entertainment.
5. 41 percent of Americans listen to podcasts on a monthly basis.
6. 90 percent of podcast listeners listen to podcasts from the comfort of their own homes.
7. 28 percent of listeners have purchased a product they heard about on a podcast.
8. US podcast advertising revenues are expected to surpass $2 billion in 2023.
9. 82.4 percent of podcast listeners spend more than seven hours a week listening to podcasts.
10. The average weekly podcast listener in the US listens to nine podcasts per week.

Want to Learn More?

Is there anything else you’d like to know about podcast statistics and wish was included in this article? Let us know in the comments below!

Time. It’s the thing business owners never seem to have enough of. Your day’s packed with tasks, meetings, and endless emails. It feels like a race against the clock. 

Enter time management apps. These handy tools are designed to streamline how you handle your daily tasks. They help you sort out your to-dos, remind you of deadlines, and keep you focused. 

We’ve handpicked 10 of the best time management apps out there. Each one offers unique features to help manage your workload effectively. From simple time calendars to advanced project trackers, there’s an app for every business need.

1. Clockify

G2 rating: 4.5/5

Best for: Businesses with distributed teams

→ Click Here to Launch Your Online Business with Shopify

Clockify is a time tracking tool used by more than two million people. It’s great for keeping track of work hours across various projects. The best part? It’s completely free for an unlimited number of users. You can use it in your browser, or install it on your phone or computer for more convenience.

Everyone from small businesses and freelancers to NGOs and big Fortune 500 companies use Clockify. If you need extra features like tracking expenses, getting notifications, or scheduling reports, there’s a Pro version available for $7.99 per user, per month (billed annually). 

Key features:

• Unlimited features and team members
• Visualizations and reports for data analysis
• Accurate timesheets with advanced features
• Android and iOS mobile apps
• Browser extension for Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge with auto start/stop, reminders, a Pomodoro timer, and more

Clockify is an all-around solution for anyone who needs to manage their time more effectively.

2. Dropbox

G2 rating: 4.4/5

Best for: Document sharing among teams

Dropbox is an intuitive, user-friendly file storage service offering advanced collaboration features. While it’s pricier than alternatives like Google Drive, you get plenty of integrations that work with your existing applications.

Dropbox also has synced desktop folders that let you access files anywhere. Plus, it’s constantly adding new services like digital signatures to help streamline your work.

Key features:

• Centralize document management and access in one place for better organization.
• Secure files with password protection, set access permissions, and easily recover important changes.
• Share document updates in real time to facilitate smooth collaboration with your team.

Dropbox’s free version comes with two gigabytes of storage, which is great for getting started. But if you find yourself needing more, there’s a paid option that offers up to two terabytes.

3. Toggl

G2 rating: 4.6/5

Best for: Automatic time tracking and project management 

Toggl is this versatile app for tracking just how much time you spend on different tasks. You can track time as you go or add it manually later. Keep everything neat by organizing your entries by team, client, or project. You can even tag them and add notes, so you remember what each task was about. 

For those leading a team, Toggl is a lifesaver. Simply invite your team members to the project, and you can all track time together. This helps you see where everyone’s time is going. Plus, if you choose a paid plan, Toggl gives deeper insights to improve your time management.

Key features:

• Track task times and see who’s working on what
• Review your time across days, weeks, or months to spot time-management patterns
• Sync Toggl across your devices using its mobile and desktop apps, as well as browser extensions

Toggl is available for iOS, Android, and MacOS. There’s a free version to get you started. If you need more, there’s a Starter plan for $9 per user, per month, a Premium for $18, or you can get a custom price for an Enterprise account. 

4. RescueTime

G2 rating: 4.1/5

Best for: Enhancing focus and productivity management

RescueTime is a handy time-tracking app that shows you just how much time you spend online. It looks at everything you do in a day, like the apps you use and how long you hang out on your favorite websites. This allows you to pinpoint where you might be losing precious time and identify patterns that could be hampering your productivity. 

To help you stay focused on your goals, RescueTime Premium offers a handy feature: it can block those websites that often distract you. This way, you can concentrate on what’s important without the temptation to drift off-task.

Key features:

• Stay on top of your tasks with reminders to keep your time on track
• Get a clear picture of your day with detailed reports and daily summaries
• Find more effective ways to use your time and boost overall productivity

RescueTime is super accessible. It works on iOS, Android, OS X, Windows, and Linux. So, whatever device you’re using, RescueTime has got you covered. 

You can start with RescueTime Lite for free. If you want the full experience, including those focus-boosting features, Premium is available for $9 per month with a 14-day free trial.

5. MyLifeOrganized

G2 rating: n/a 

Best for: Streamlining and prioritizing daily tasks

MyLifeOrganized is more than your average to-do list app. It’s a daily planner that lets you easily organize your tasks. You can drag and drop, star, flag, and sort tasks in a neat interface. Got a massive task? Break it down into smaller subtasks right in the app to help you start chipping away at it.

The paid features of MyLifeOrganized are pretty cool. It automatically creates smart lists based on your deadlines and priorities, showing you what needs immediate attention. Another neat feature is geo-based reminders, which ping you about tasks whenever you’re near one of your intended locations.

Key features:

• MyLifeOrganized breaks down big projects into manageable steps and alerts you about urgent tasks
• Add tasks quickly without opening the app—just send an email and the app sorts it out
• Sync your tasks across devices with cloud-based access for paid subscribers 

MyLifeOrganized works on iOS, Android, and Windows. Pricing varies, from a free version to a one-time payment of $59.95.

6. Focus Booster

G2 rating: n/a

Best for: Tracking and optimizing productivity

Focus Booster is a nifty, free Pomodoro app designed to help you cut through distractions. With its free version, you can track up to 20 Pomodoro sessions each month. That’s about 83 hours of time tracking each month. 

When you go for a paid plan, things get even better. You unlock a dashboard that really shows you where your time goes. Plus, all your sessions are recorded automatically. This means you can look back, see what you’ve done, and figure out how productive you’ve been. 

Key features:

• Simple to-do lists to keep track of all your tasks
• An easy-to-use Pomodoro timer
• The ability to track Pomodoro sessions across your devices, even when you’re offline 

Focus Booster offers two plans: a free one and a Professional plan for $4.99 a month. 

7. Evernote

G2 rating: 4.4/5

Best for: Note taking

Evernote is one of the first, and many would say best, note-taking apps out there. With Evernote, you can create detailed notes, scan images, record voice memos, attach documents, and clip content from the web. 

This app is a powerhouse for task management. It organizes all your personal and professional projects in one place. Plus, its search function lets you quickly find information, whether it’s in handwritten notes, images, or attached files. 

Key features:

• A home dashboard for an organized overview of your content
• Task management within notes to keep track of to-dos
• Google Calendar integration to view events and related notes together
• A 200-megabyte note size, ideal for storing large files like high-resolution photos and presentations 

You can use Evernote on any device—computer, tablet, or phone—even when you’re offline.  

8. Remember the Milk

G2 rating: 4.4/5

Best for: Task reminders and personal use 

Have you ever gone to the store for one thing and come back with everything but that thing? That’s exactly why Remember the Milk exists. It started as a simple way to remember groceries, but now it’s so much more. This time management app keeps you on top of everything.

You can color-code your tasks and break big projects into smaller parts. Plus, you can attach files from Google Drive or Dropbox and share your lists with others to keep everyone in sync. The app can send reminders through email, text, IM, or even Twitter.

• Organize your tasks into multiple lists
• Use Smart Lists to automatically create lists from your searches
• Stay updated across all your devices with offline syncing

Remember the Milk is available on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and as a browser extension. You can start with the free version, and if you need more features, it’s $40 a year.

9. Harvest

G2 rating: 4.3/5

Best for: Growing businesses

Harvest is a time- and expense-tracking app that gets you to see time as a precious resource. It’s packed with solid time-tracking features and dishes out visual reports showing how you and your team use your time.

Harvest also plays nice with lots of other tools. You can connect it with Trello, Asana, GitHub, and more. A key highlight is its ability to track billable time so you can charge for every minute you work.

Key features: 

• Track billable time effortlessly and create invoices instantly to bill your clients
• Plan ahead with forecasting tools and ensure your team has enough time for all your projects
• Quickly check if projects are staying within budget 

You can use Harvest on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It costs $12 per month per user. 

10. Focus@will 

G2 rating: n/a

Best for: Boosting productivity and focus via neuroscience

Focus@will is a different kind of time management app. Instead of lists and reminders, it plays music and soothing sounds to help you focus and get more done.

You get to choose playlists depending on your role or your thinking style, like whether you’re a student or an entrepreneur, or if you lean toward creative or logical tasks. Just plug in some info about yourself, hit Play, and start working! 

Key features:

• Custom music and sounds designed for your work habits.
• Research-backed approach that can quadruple your productivity.
• Syncs across your devices, so your focus stays sharp whether you’re at home or at the office. 

You can use Focus@will on Android, MacOS, and iOS. Pricing starts at $7.49 per month if you pay yearly, or $9.99 for month-to-month. There are team accounts, too.

Benefits of using a time management app

Running a business and keeping track of time can be a juggle. A time management app steps in right when you need it. You might start with guesswork, but as your team grows, the need for a time tracking app becomes clear.

Here’s what a good time management app can do: 

• Manage workloads: When your team works on different things, it’s tough to see who’s overloaded. A time management app shows you this. You balance tasks better and prevent burnout.
• Improve collaboration: These tools help you set priorities. With features like Kanban boards, you see who’s doing what. Everyone stays updated on each task’s status.
• Track time and boosts productivity: It comes with time tracking and detailed reports. This shows how your team spends their time. You spot the time-wasters and fix them. Your team gets more done.
• Give accurate project costs: You understand the real cost of projects through time tracking. This helps in making better estimates for future work. You save money by knowing where every hour goes.

If you’ve got a team or just need to manage your own time, a time management tool is a smart pick.

Taking control of time 

When running a business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by tasks and deadlines. You might find yourself missing opportunities to streamline processes and manage your workload better. Achieving a balance in managing your professional tasks is essential for success. 

Time management apps are tools that can help. They give you ways to organize your day better, leading to higher productivity and less stress. With these apps, you can make sure you’re using your time wisely, not just for work, but also for life.

Want to learn more?