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 best Apple Podcasts of 2025, highlighting the top 10 trending shows and share expert tips from Ausha’s exclusive study to help your podcast climb the charts. 🌟
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:
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.
As one of the top-ranked podcast platforms, 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Want to see how these podcasts are trending daily? Check out Ausha Charts for real-time rankings 🔥
Now that you’ve seen the top-performing shows, let’s break down what makes them successful and how you can improve your own podcast’s ranking 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.
Apple Podcasts’ search algorithm prioritizes three primary factors to determine which podcasts rank highly in search results:
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.
Metadata—the foundational information about your podcast—is the single most important factor for visibility on Apple Podcasts. Our study revealed that:
This highlights the importance of being deliberate and consistent with how you describe your show and episodes.
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.
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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 elevate your podcast’s presence? Explore Ausha Charts to track your progress and uncover strategies to climb the ranks on Apple Podcasts.
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