True crime podcasts have captured the hearts of listeners worldwide, offering gripping stories that uncover the mysteries of human behavior and criminal cases. In 2024, the genre remains as popular as ever, with millions of listeners tuning in to hear about unsolved mysteries, cold cases, and the latest investigations 🕵️♀️
In this article, we’ll take you through the top true crime podcasts that are making waves this year. Whether you’re a fan of chilling narratives or a podcaster looking to make your mark in the true crime space, we’ll also share expert insights and actionable strategies to help your show stand out ✨
True Crime: A Leading Podcast Genre in 2024
According to Edison Research’s Q1 2024 report, true crime is the fourth most popular podcast genre in the United States among weekly listeners aged 13 and older. This shows how much people enjoy listening to true crime stories and exploring different cases 🔍
The top three podcast genres ahead of true crime are:
- Comedy: Still the most listened-to genre, comedy podcasts are popular for providing entertainment and laughs.
- Society & Culture: This genre has moved into second place, with many listeners enjoying discussions about culture and everyday life.
- News: News podcasts remain in the top three, offering updates and analysis to help people stay informed.
True crime’s strong position highlights its appeal to a wide audience who enjoy detailed storytelling and learning more about real events 😎
Why People Love True Crime Podcasts
True crime podcasts are popular for a reason. They draw on basic human interests and emotions that keep listeners engaged. Here are a few key factors that explain their appeal:
- The Need for Answers: People are naturally curious about mysteries. Finding out how a case unfolds or resolves gives a sense of satisfaction.
- Emotional Connection: Stories about real people make listeners feel connected and invested, especially when they can relate to the victims or their families.
- Excitement Without Risk: True crime delivers suspense and tension in a way that feels thrilling but safe.
Understanding these factors can help podcasters create stories that resonate and keep their audience coming back for more 🔥
Top 10 True Crime Podcasts of 2024
2024 has seen the continued rise of exceptional true crime podcasts that keep audiences hooked with their unique storytelling styles and gripping narratives 🏆
Here are the ten standout shows dominating the genre:
1. Crime Junkie
Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, this weekly podcast discusses various true crime cases, including solved and unsolved murders, missing persons, and mysterious deaths.
2. Serial
Created by the team behind This American Life and hosted by Sarah Koenig, Serial explores a single true story over the course of a season, delving deeply into complex narratives.
3. Morbid
Co-hosted by autopsy technician Alaina Urquhart and hairstylist Ashleigh Kelley, Morbid examines true crime cases, creepy history, and other spooky topics, combining thorough research with elements of comedy.
4. My Favorite Murder
Comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark share their interest in true crime by discussing infamous serial killers, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, and significant historical events, often incorporating personal anecdotes.
5. RedHanded
Hosted by Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, RedHanded covers a wide range of true crime stories, from serial killers to hauntings, offering detailed narratives with cultural insights.
6. Unsolved Mysteries
This podcast presents new mysteries each week, including abductions, paranormal encounters, heinous crimes, and unexplained deaths, encouraging listeners to contribute any information they might have.
7. Sword and Scale
Covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response, this podcast features stories of murder, abduction, rape, and other crimes, using raw, uncensored audio to tell the story.
8. Criminal
An award-winning podcast about crime, Criminal shares stories of people who have committed crimes, been wronged, or found themselves in the gray areas in between, offering a broad perspective on criminal activity.
9. Casefile
This true crime podcast presents in-depth accounts of both solved and unsolved cases from around the world, emphasizing that fact can be scarier than fiction.
10. Park Predators
Hosted by Delia D’Ambra, this podcast explores true crime stories set in national parks and forests, uncovering how nature’s beauty can mask sinister secrets.
🚀 What It Takes to Succeed in True Crime Podcasting
True crime podcasts face significant competition, but insights from our comprehensive study—analyzing over 7.6 million podcast episodes—reveal the key factors that help podcasts rank higher on platforms like Apple Podcasts. At Ausha, we conducted this research to understand what drives podcast visibility and audience growth, and these findings can be applied to help true crime podcasters stand out in this crowded genre.
📊 How Podcasts Rank on Apple Podcasts
Understanding how Apple Podcasts’ algorithm works is essential for improving your show’s visibility. Based on industry insights and our own research, three main factors influence podcast rankings on the platform:
- Metadata Optimization
The titles, show descriptions, and episode descriptions you create are critical. The algorithm relies heavily on these elements to determine if your content matches a listener’s search query. - Audience Engagement
Metrics like how often a podcast is played, completed, or followed indicate listener satisfaction. Podcasts with high engagement tend to rank higher because they signal quality and relevance. - Popularity Indicators
Follower counts, download numbers, and overall plays contribute significantly to rankings. Shows with consistent and growing popularity are rewarded with better placement in search results.
With millions of podcasts on Apple Podcasts, understanding and leveraging these factors can make the difference in being discovered by new audiences.
Here’s a reworked section, inspired by the structure and approach you shared, but customized for a fresh, original perspective that aligns with Ausha’s expertise:
🛠 Insights from Ausha’s Study: Why Metadata Matters
Metadata is one of the most important factors in helping podcasts rank well on Apple Podcasts. Our study of 7.6 million podcast episodes revealed the following:
- 65% of podcasts in the top 10 search results include the primary keyword in their show’s title.
- 97% of top-ranking podcasts use their primary keyword at least once in their metadata.
- Podcasts that mention their keyword five or more times in episode descriptions rank, on average, nine positions higher.
These findings highlight the importance of crafting metadata that is both informative and optimized for search.
📝 Actionable Tips for True Crime Podcasters
1. Strengthen Your Storytelling
True crime listeners are drawn to suspense and well-organized narratives. Start with a compelling hook, build tension through key details, and end with a question or cliffhanger to keep them engaged. For example, tease unresolved evidence at the end of an episode to spark curiosity for the next one.
2. Optimize Metadata for Search
Metadata is crucial for discoverability. Include specific keywords like “investigation” or the case name in your titles and descriptions, naturally integrated. Our research shows 97% of top-ranking podcasts use keywords effectively in their metadata, significantly improving visibility in search results.
3. Leverage Social Media Creatively
Social media platforms like TikTok are ideal for short, engaging content. Create 60-second videos summarizing a case or sharing intriguing facts to captivate viewers. Use Instagram polls or Q&A posts to involve your audience, letting them weigh in on theories or share their thoughts.
4. Use Ausha’s PSO Control Panel
Ausha’s PSO Control Panel makes optimizing your podcast easier. Track keyword performance, refine your titles, and align metadata with audience trends. For true crime podcasters, this means staying ahead by focusing on relevant cases or keywords to improve rankings and attract listeners.
Conclusion
True crime podcasting is a highly competitive genre, but with the right approach, it offers significant opportunities for growth. By applying strategies like strong storytelling, optimized metadata, and active audience engagement, podcasters can improve their visibility and reach.
Consistency and thoughtful use of tools, such as Ausha’s PSO Control Panel, can further enhance discoverability. Implementing these methods can help you steadily grow your podcast and connect with a broader audience in 2024 and beyond.
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