E435 - What is and What Isn't A Podcast and Why Does This Even Matter and to Whom

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Episode 435 - What is and What Isn't A Podcast and Why Does This Even Matter and to Whom

What Is—and Isn’t—a Podcast? Why Definitions Matter

The Evolving Definition of Podcasting

Traditionally, a podcast was defined as an episodic series of audio files distributed via RSS feeds, allowing listeners to subscribe and receive new episodes automatically

For many, “podcast” now simply means any on-demand, creator-driven series—regardless of format or platform

Who’s Driving the Change?

Advertisers, marketers, and major platforms are playing a significant role in this redefinition. As podcasting has become big business, these stakeholders seek clear, measurable definitions to better target audiences and track analyticsWhy Does This Matter—and to Whom?

For Creators

Audience Targeting & Monetization: Understanding where and how listeners consume content is crucial for creators.
Content Strategy: The evolving definition means creators can experiment with formats, but must balance authenticity and audience expectations
Community Building: Social media integration is now essential for distribution, discovery, and building loyal communities around podcasts

For Listeners

Discovery & Consumption: Listeners benefit from more choices and formats, but may be confused about what “podcast” means—especially as video and social media become dominant
Community Engagement: Social media and live podcasting allow for direct interaction, making podcasts more participatory and community-driven

For the Industry

Measurement & Analytics: The move away from open RSS feeds to platform-specific distribution can complicate stats and analytics, making it harder to get a unified picture of listenership

Open vs. Closed Ecosystems: The rise of “walled gardens” (platform-exclusive content) threatens the open nature of podcasting, which was built on the freedom of RSS and broad distributionDoes This Hurt the Podcast Industry?

Potential Downsides

Dilution of the Medium: As everything gets labeled a “podcast,” the term loses specificity.
Platform Enclosure: The shift toward closed platforms (YouTube, Spotify exclusives) risks undermining the open RSS ecosystem, potentially limiting creator freedom and audience access
Fragmented Analytics: With content spread across multiple platforms, tracking true audience size and engagement becomes more challenging

Potential Upsides

Broader Reach & Accessibility: Video and social media integration have brought new audiences into podcasting, especially younger demographics like Gen Z
Innovation & Growth: New formats, interactive features, and cross-media extensions (like live podcasts, TV adaptations, and merch) are expanding what podcasts can be
Creator Empowerment: More tools, monetization options, and ways to connect with audiences can empower creators—if they can navigate the complexity

Are More New Creators Coming to Podcasting, or Is Video a Gatekeeper?

New Creators Are Arriving: The podcast audience continues to grow, with more creators entering the space thanks to easier tools, social media, and the appeal of video
Video as Both Opportunity and Barrier: While video podcasts attract new demographics and offer creative possibilities, they also raise the production bar.
Niche Audio Communities Still Thrive: Despite the video surge, niche audio-only podcasts remain popular, especially for those seeking connection and community around specific topics

The Future Is Flexible

The definition of “podcast” is no longer fixed. It’s shaped by creators, audiences, and platforms alike. While the expansion into video and social media brings both opportunities and challenges, the heart of podcasting—independent, on-demand storytelling—remains strong. For creators, the key is to stay adaptable, focus on quality, and build genuine connections with their audience—regardless of format or platform___

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