The podcast world is getting more crowded every day. With so many new shows launching, being at the top of the rankings can make a real difference. A high position on Spotify or Apple Podcasts means more listeners, better engagement, and a stronger reputation ✨
But how do these rankings actually work? What makes a podcast climb the charts? And what can you do to improve your spot?
This article breaks down how podcast rankings are determined, what key metrics matter, and how to use them to your advantage. Let’s dive in 🎙️
1. The Role of Podcast Rankings
Podcast rankings are more than just numbers on a chart—they help listeners discover new shows. When a podcast appears at the top of a category or in trending sections, it gets more visibility, leading to more plays, new subscribers, and higher engagement.
🎧 Why Rankings Matter
A good ranking can:
✅ Increase listenership – More people see your podcast, which means more potential subscribers.
✅ Boost engagement – Listeners tend to trust and interact more with highly ranked podcasts.
✅ Attract sponsorships – Advertisers often look at rankings to decide where to invest.
🔎 Do Reviews and Ratings Affect Rankings?
Many believe that getting more five-star reviews and positive comments will push a podcast up the rankings. The truth? Ratings and reviews don’t directly impact rankings on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
So, what do they influence?
👉 Listener behavior – A well-rated podcast looks more trustworthy, making people more likely to hit “play” or “subscribe.”
👉 Word-of-mouth marketing – More reviews mean more credibility, which can increase organic shares and listens.
While reviews don’t affect the algorithm directly, they still play an important role in growth. Encouraging listeners to leave reviews can help build trust and bring in new subscribers—both of which can lead to a better ranking in the long run. 🚀
2. How Podcast Rankings Are Calculated on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Understanding how Spotify and Apple Podcasts determine their podcast rankings can help you tailor your strategy to climb the charts. Let’s break down the key factors each platform considers 🎧
Spotify Rankings 🎵
Spotify evaluates podcasts based on several metrics:
- Unique Recent Listeners: The number of distinct users who have listened to your podcast within a recent timeframe. A higher count indicates greater popularity.
- Total Followers: The cumulative number of users who have subscribed to your podcast. More followers can enhance your podcast’s ranking.
These rankings are updated daily, reflecting the freshness and consistency of your content. Regularly publishing engaging episodes can positively influence your position on Spotify’s charts 📈
Apple Podcasts Rankings 🍏
Apple Podcasts employs a distinct approach, focusing on:
- Plays and Follows: The frequency with which listeners play your episodes and choose to follow your show. Higher engagement in these areas boosts your ranking.
- Episode Completion Rate: The percentage of your episodes that listeners play from start to finish. A higher completion rate suggests compelling content and can improve your ranking.
Contrary to common belief, ratings and reviews do not directly influence Apple Podcasts’ ranking algorithm. However, they can indirectly affect your podcast’s success by encouraging new listeners to engage with your content.
By understanding these platforms’ ranking criteria, you can better strategize your content and engagement efforts to enhance your podcast’s visibility and reach 🚀
3. Tracking and Improving Your Podcast Ranking with the Right Tool
Monitoring your podcast ranking helps you understand what’s working and what needs improvement. Rankings change daily, and staying on top of them lets you adjust your strategy, boost your visibility, and attract more listeners 😎
🎯 Why Monitoring Your Podcast Ranking Matters
Your ranking is influenced by factors like listener engagement, follows, and completion rates. Tracking it regularly helps you:
✅ Understand audience behavior – See how changes in your content impact your ranking.
✅ Adjust your marketing strategy – Identify trends and adapt your promotion efforts.
✅ Optimize your content – Learn what resonates with your audience and refine future episodes.
Ausha Charts: A Free Alternative to Chartable
Since Chartable shut down, many podcasters have struggled to find an accessible way to track their rankings. Ausha Charts fills this gap by offering a free and easy-to-use tool to monitor podcast rankings on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 📈
With Ausha Charts, you get access to:
📊 Real-Time Rankings – Track the top shows and episodes as they evolve.
👀 Category and Subcategory Insights – See how your podcast performs in specific niches.
🌎 Geo-Specific Data – Filter rankings by country to understand where your audience is growing.
🎧 Exclusive Spotify Data – Get insights not available on other platforms.
Unlike other tools, Ausha Charts is completely free, making it a great option for podcasters who want detailed insights without extra costs. By tracking your ranking regularly, you get the data you need to grow your audience and improve your podcast’s performance 🎙️
4. Strategies to Climb the Podcast Rankings
Getting your podcast into the top rankings of its category increases visibility and attracts more listeners. Podcasts that consistently engage their audience and maintain steady growth have a higher chance of ranking well. To improve your ranking, focus on these four key areas.
1. Get More Listens and Subscribers
Podcasts that attract consistent and recent listeners are more likely to climb the charts. Encourage listeners to subscribe so they don’t miss new episodes 🎧
✅ Remind your audience to subscribe – Mention it naturally at the beginning and end of your episodes.
✅ Make it easy to binge – Guide new listeners to must-hear episodes to increase total plays.
✅ Promote actively – Share episodes on social media, newsletters, and collaborations to keep engagement high.
🔥 Pro Tip: With Ausha, you can pin and highlight a specific episode to attract more plays. Use this feature to showcase your best content and keep new listeners hooked!
2. Keep Listeners Engaged Until the End
Podcast rankings favor shows that hold listeners’ attention for as long as possible. The more episodes people finish, the better your ranking ⏳
✅ Start strong – Hook listeners in the first 30 seconds with an engaging question or teaser.
✅ Keep a clear structure – Avoid unnecessary tangents and make sure your content flows well.
✅ Use cliffhangers – Give a reason for listeners to stay until the end or tune into the next episode.
🔥 Pro Tip: If you notice drop-offs in your analytics, adjust your episode format to keep engagement high.
📅 3. Publish on a Consistent Schedule
Regular releases help maintain ranking momentum. Whether it’s weekly or biweekly, a consistent schedule keeps your podcast active on the charts.
✅ Plan your episodes in advance – Avoid long gaps that could impact your ranking.
✅ Batch record when possible – Prepare multiple episodes at once to stay consistent.
✅ Stay visible between releases – Use teaser clips, repurposed content, or bonus episodes to maintain engagement.
🔥 Pro Tip: If you need a break, schedule reruns of top-performing episodes to keep listenership steady.
📊 4. Track Your Ranking and Adapt
Keeping an eye on your ranking trends helps you see what works and refine your strategy. Ausha Charts provides free insights to help you make data-driven decisions.
✅ Check your position in the rankings – Track your progress in your category and country.
✅ Analyze performance trends – Identify which episodes drive the most engagement.
✅ Adjust your content strategy – Experiment with different formats and topics based on audience response.
🔥 Pro Tip: If your podcast climbs the rankings, promote it! Highlight your chart position to attract even more listeners.
Conclusion
Podcast rankings are a powerful tool for boosting visibility and growing an audience. Understanding how Spotify and Apple Podcasts calculate them allows podcasters to adapt their strategy and stay competitive 📢
By tracking progress with Ausha Charts, creators can fine-tune their content and optimize their ranking over time. With the right approach and smart insights, reaching the top of the charts becomes much more achievable! 🚀
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