Podcasts are getting more and more popular with time. Allow us to address what is a podcast and suggest you some players to listen to podcasts in this guide.
Everyone seems to be podcasting today. You see different actors, celebrities, influencers, and other individuals conveying their thoughts, sharing their life journeys, and having other discussions and promotions using podcasts. Knowing about the person you adore, mentor, or follow on a human level is often quite captivating. This is the main reason why podcasts are getting so popular. But what is a podcast? What are the best platforms to listen to podcasts? These are some of the most common queries that can arise.
Using this simple blog, we will be addressing all these queries. So, let’s proceed to the same.
What is a Podcast? (Detailed Definition and Description)
Using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, podcasting is the process of taking digital audio files and distributing them to the computers of people who have subscribed to the podcast. After these files have been made accessible on the internet, they may be posted to streaming services, where consumers can listen to them on their mobile devices, tablet computers, or other types of multimedia players.
A podcast does not have a predetermined structure, duration, or style that it must adhere to. The term “podosphere” is occasionally used to refer to the cultural environment surrounding podcasting, for the same reason that the term “blogosphere” is used to describe the cultural environment around blogging.
Because they altered the way in which consumers get material, podcasts are frequently referred to as a format that is disruptive to the digital technology industry. They altered the manner in which advertising made money off of it. These days, podcasting is an effective method for reaching specific target audiences and gaining a digital following.
Depending on the context, the term “podcast” may refer to either a particular audio program or individual episodes of that broadcast. Users may listen to podcasts on demand from their mobile devices. Podcasts are often offered in the form of a series of taped episodes of talk radio shows. Those who create podcasts often post episodes on a consistent timetable.
Now that you have a standing understanding of podcasts and how they originated, let’s have a look at the top platforms to listen to podcasts in 2024.
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Podcast Streaming Apps: Apps to Listen to Podcast
If you want to listen to podcasts on your mobile device or computer, the first thing you need to do is download an application that helps you with the same. When it comes to the apps to listen to Podcasts, you will find a plethora of options online. There are so many app developers and creators who offer podcast players for you.
The most popular choices are Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube/YouTube Music. We found these to be the top 3 players of all time. Below, you will learn about these platforms. Whether you have an Android, iOS, Windows, or any other device, you can use these apps to listen to your favorite podcasts with ease.
When you have finished installing the Podcast streaming apps of your choice, all you need to do is search inside the app for podcasts that you find intriguing. It is possible to listen to any episode that you choose. To get updates about the next editions of the podcast, click the “Subscribe” button if you find the podcast to be enjoyable.
But that’s enough about the apps to listen to Podcasts, let’s get in-depth information about each app right below.
1. Apple Podcast
Let’s start this slit of the top Podcast streaming apps with Apple Podcasts. A desktop and mobile application version of the app are both accessible for use. This app is a free and dedicated listening platform for podcasts. Through the app, you will be able to discover new programs thanks to the highly selected and tailored suggestions.
All Apple products come with this podcast app (preloaded). However, if you have an Alexa-enabled speaker or a Windows PC, you can also listen to your favorite podcasts on iTunes. Sadly, this is one of the best apps to listen to podcasts but only available for Apple devices.
You may also show your support for your favorite podcasters by purchasing a premium membership that gives you access to a variety of features, including extra episodes, no advertisements while you listen, simple access to previously recorded episodes, and early access to new podcast series.
Visit the Official Website to Learn More or Download the App
2. YouTube/YouTube Music
The list of Podcast streaming apps is incomplete without YouTube/YouTube Music. The app debuted a couple of years ago, which provided users with the opportunity to listen to a wide range of podcasts at no cost and get tailored suggestions. In a later version, Google rebuilt the application and made it accessible on the web, as well as on iOS, macOS, & Windows.
Here’s an add-on feature that makes this app different from other apps to listen to podcasts. In the YouTube Music app, users from the United States are the only ones who can listen to podcasts for free, offline, and in the background at this time. On the other hand, Google intends to make similar services available to listeners in countries other than the United States, till then it’s a win for US citizens.
Additionally, the subscribers to YouTube Music Premium have the ability to download podcasts to their mobile devices and listen to material without an internet connection as well. However, in order to keep your downloads intact, you will need to restore your connection to the internet at least once per thirty days.
Visit the Official Website to Learn More or Download the App
3. Spotify
There are numerous regions across the world where Spotify is the most popular audio podcast platform, but it is also one of the most popular Podcast streaming apps. If you are ready to listen to advertisements, Spotify is completely free to use. When you upgrade to Spotify Premium, you have access to additional features, such as the option to listen to podcasts offline and without interruption from advertisements, as well as the opportunity to download podcasts.
Additional services that will be available to customers who are eligible for Spotify Premium include immediate access to an on-demand collection that contains millions of songs, multiple hours of listening time per month, millions of podcasts, and hundreds of thousands of audiobooks.
Spotify, being one of the best apps to listen to podcasts, guarantees that you will always be able to discover a new podcast to listen to, whether it be an original podcast. Voice Translation is an artificial intelligence-powered tool that converts podcasts into multiple languages using the creator’s own voice. The firm is now conducting a test program for its Voice Translation for podcasts as well which is expected to increase the platform’s popularity.
Visit the Official Website to Learn More or Download the App
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Bonus App: Audible
Audible is quite well-known for its audiobooks, but do you know it is one of the best podcast streaming apps of all time? In addition to its well-known audiobooks, Audible also provides podcasts & Audible Originals, all of which are accessible via a single app. Due to the fact that Audible is a credit-based service, you will get a number of credits to your account on a monthly basis, which you can then spend to listen to your preferred entertainment programs.
A free plan is not available for the application. Instead, you will get a free trial that lasts for thirty days and does not include advertisements. Additionally, you will have access to premium features including thousands of audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
However, people who are not members of Amazon Prime are only eligible to get one free audiobook for keeps, whereas those who are members receive two free audiobooks with their Audible trial.
With an Amazon account, you get access to a huge variety of Audible podcasts, which include unique series and episodes as well as free podcasts that are currently accessible on other apps to listen to Podcasts. You may listen to these podcasts and access them.
Visit the Official Website to Learn More or Download the App
What’s the Main Purpose of Podcast?: Summing Up
If you make an effort to define podcasting, you will immediately come to the realization that podcasts come in a wide variety of formats. The duration, tone, and structure of podcasts might vary from one another. Included among the most well-known types of podcasting are the following:
- Firstly, for narratives that are not fictional. These podcasts provide an interesting presentation of a real-life occurrence using audio. Describe a podcast that follows this format and provide an example of it. “This American Life” is a well-known podcast and radio program that features journalistic profiles of people of interest to the general public.
- Monologue podcasts are characterized by a single presenter, in contrast to conversation podcasts, which often include co-hosts or a roundtable for discussion. It is a format that does not follow a script and may cover a wide variety of subjects. This form of podcasting might be a simple approach to expanding your following since it does not need you to coordinate with other presenters.
- In its most basic form, a conversational podcast operates as a discussion. In a casual manner, a podcast presenter may discuss a subject or conduct interviews with guests. This structure is comparable to that of a conventional radio program.
In every case, the purpose of a podcast is to start a conversation. Some use it to convey thoughts while others use it for promotional purposes. Whatever the purpose may be, podcasts can bring positive results and more listeners for you.
So, that’s all that we had to share with you related to podcasts and Podcast streaming apps to listen to Podcast. Do let us know your thoughts about the blog in the comments section below. Also, if you liked this write-up, follow us on social media pages and subscribe to our newsletter.
