Apple Podcasts continues to be a leading platform in the podcasting world, connecting millions of listeners. In November 2024, Apple Podcasts released its list of the most popular shows, highlighting the podcasts that have captivated audiences worldwide. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 podcasts on Apple Podcasts and share expert tips from Ausha’s exclusive study to help your podcast climb the charts. 🌟
📊 The Power of Podcasts in 2025
Podcasting has reached new heights in 2025, continuing its rapid expansion and solidifying its position as a dominant force in the media landscape. According to Edison Research’s The Infinite Dial 2024, podcast listening has seen significant growth over the past year:
- 47% of the U.S. population aged 12+ has listened to a podcast in the past month, up 12% year-over-year.
- 34% of the U.S. population aged 12+ has listened to a podcast in the past week, marking a 10% year-over-year increase.
This surge in podcast consumption is not limited to one demographic but spans across all age groups. The podcasting audience is becoming more diverse and engaged than ever before, with 76% of U.S. adults aged 12+ reporting that they’ve listened to online audio in the last month, which equates to an estimated 218 million people.
The numbers reflect a broader shift in media consumption, with podcasting solidifying itself as a key player in the digital audio space.
📊 The Power of Apple Podcasts in the Podcasting Space
Apple Podcasts is a cornerstone of the podcasting world, connecting millions of listeners to diverse shows spanning every imaginable topic. As of November 2024, the platform hosts approximately 2.74 million podcasts and over 101 million episodes. This immense catalog highlights its critical role in helping audiences discover new favorites while offering podcasters unparalleled opportunities for visibility and growth. For creators, ranking highly on Apple Podcasts is a gateway to reaching more listeners and building a thriving community.
🏆 The Top 10 podcasts on Apple Podcasts in 2025
#1: The Daily
The New York Times’ flagship podcast, hosted by Michael Barbaro, provides in-depth analysis of the day’s most significant events. Each episode distills complex topics into digestible narratives, offering a detailed understanding of current news.
#2: Crime Junkie
This true crime podcast, hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, explores unsolved mysteries, intriguing cases, and criminal stories. The podcast combines detailed research with storytelling to present a variety of cases.
#3: The Joe Rogan Experience
Hosted by Joe Rogan, this podcast features long-form conversations with guests from diverse fields, including science, culture, comedy, and politics. Episodes often cover a broad range of topics, providing discussions with varied perspectives.
#4: Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC focuses on true crime stories and investigative journalism, presenting detailed accounts of real-life mysteries and criminal cases. The podcast provides an audio adaptation of the television program’s reports.
#5: SmartLess
This podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, features candid conversations with various guests. The episodes explore personal and professional experiences shared by the hosts and their guests.
#6: Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab, hosted by Dr. Andrew Huberman, covers topics related to neuroscience, health, and wellness. The podcast presents science-based tools and practices aimed at improving mental and physical performance.
#7: This American Life
This American Life is a weekly public radio program and podcast that explores themes and stories about life in the United States. Episodes often include interviews, personal narratives, and reporting on a wide range of topics.
#8: New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Hosted by NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, this podcast provides insights into professional football alongside personal stories and commentary. Episodes feature discussions about the sport, their careers, and related topics.
#9: Up First from NPR
Produced by NPR, this daily news podcast delivers a summary of the day’s top stories. Each episode provides a concise and comprehensive overview of significant national and global events.
#10: Morbid
Morbid, hosted by Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley, is a true crime podcast that examines a range of cases. The episodes include detailed research and analysis of historical and contemporary criminal stories.
🚀 How to Be #1 on Apple Podcasts
Achieving the top spot on Apple Podcasts can feel like an ambitious goal for many podcasters, but with the right strategies, it’s entirely within reach. At Ausha, we conducted an exclusive study of over 7.6 million podcast episodes to uncover the key factors that drive visibility on Apple Podcasts. Here’s everything you need to know, from how the algorithm works to actionable insights that can help your podcast shine.
📊 How the Apple Podcasts Algorithm Works
Apple Podcasts’ search algorithm prioritizes three primary factors to determine which podcasts rank highly in search results:
- Metadata : The algorithm relies on the information provided in your podcast’s title, show description, and episode titles. These elements are critical in determining whether your podcast matches a user’s search query.
- Popularity : Shows with a high number of followers, plays, and downloads tend to rank higher. This signals the platform that the podcast is well-received by listeners.
- User Engagement : Metrics such as how often a podcast is played, completed, or followed after appearing in search results influence its ranking.
Understanding these factors is essential because 58% of podcast listeners discover new shows using the search bar, according to data from The Podcast Host(How to Rank #1 in Apple…). With over 2 million shows on the platform, standing out in search results is critical for growing your audience.
🛠 Key Insights from Ausha’s Study: The Importance of Metadata
Metadata—the foundational information about your podcast—is the single most important factor for visibility on Apple Podcasts. Our study revealed that:
- 65% of podcasts in the top 10 search results include the primary keyword in their show’s title.
- 97% of top-ranking podcasts use the primary keyword at least once in their metadata.
- Podcasts that include their keyword five or more times in episode descriptions rank 9 positions higher on average.
This highlights the importance of being deliberate and consistent with how you describe your show and episodes.
📝 Actionable Tips to Optimize Your Metadata
- Incorporate Keywords Effectively
- Use your primary keyword in your podcast’s title, show description, and episode titles.
- Avoid keyword stuffing; focus on natural integration.
- Craft Engaging Descriptions
- Ensure your show and episode descriptions are both informative and keyword-rich.
- Highlight unique aspects of your podcast to attract the right audience.
- Choose the Right Tags and Categories
- Select categories that align with your podcast’s focus.
- Tags should be relevant and reflect trending or niche topics.
- Maintain Consistency Across Metadata
- Keep titles, tags, and descriptions updated with the latest keywords to stay relevant in searches.
Want to Learn More? Dive deeper into Ausha’s exclusive study to uncover advanced tips for optimizing your podcast’s discoverability on Apple Podcasts. Download the full report here and unlock the strategies that successful podcasters use to dominate the rankings.
🧰 Leverage the PSO Control Panel
The PSO Control Panel by Ausha is an exclusive tool available to Pro users, whether they host their podcasts on Ausha or not. It is designed to help podcasters enhance their visibility on major platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. With this tool, you can:
- Track Your Keyword Rankings: Monitor the performance of your selected keywords in search results and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Refine Your Metadata: Use data-driven insights to adjust titles, descriptions, and tags for maximum visibility.
- Boost Your Discoverability: Optimize your podcast for the most relevant searches to improve your rankings and reach a broader audience.
👉 Curious to see the PSO Control Panel in action? Request a demo today and discover how it can take your podcast to the next level.
Conclusion
Apple Podcasts remains a dominant force in podcasting, connecting millions of listeners to diverse and engaging content. The platform’s scale and influence make it essential for podcasters to understand its inner workings. By optimizing keywords, refining metadata, and staying consistent, you can improve your podcast’s visibility and audience reach.
Ready to take your podcast to the next level? Start applying these tips today, and watch your podcast climb the charts! 🚀
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