Podcast charts – how to get into the rankings on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms.
One thing is certain: podcasts have now established themselves in the media world! A place in the upper ranks of the podcast charts is the ideal ticket to not only attract new listeners, but also strengthen the trust in your own brand.
But how can you get your podcast to the top of the charts? And on which podcast charts should you target to achieve the greatest impact? Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, or Audible? After all, there are now a whole range of platforms, each with its own rules, categories, and success criteria.
In this article, you will learn everything about the most important podcast charts, how they differ from each other, and, most importantly, how you can rank your podcast on them !
What are podcast charts?
Podcast Charts are rankingsthat list the "best" podcasts in a given period of time. This list of "top podcasts" reflects which shows are currently particularly popular with listeners. Basically, it's nothing more than the top 100 music charts, for example.
Podcasts that appear in the charts essentially represent a recommendation from the respective platform to its audience.
And where do most people look for inspiration for their next podcast? That's right, they take a look at the podcast charts!
For this very reason, a place in the podcast charts is often the golden ticket to greater visibility and more listeners.
What podcast charts are there?
There are now quite a few platforms, all of which have their own podcast charts. And these don't always have to be identical, as each platform uses its own evaluation criteria and algorithms to define the rankings.
Nevertheless, there are of course a few platforms whose podcast charts are particularly relevant—simply because that's where most users search for the top podcasts.
To give you a clear overview, here is a brief list of the most influential podcast charts:
- Apple Podcasts Charts
- Spotify Podcast Charts
- YouTube Music (until recently: Google Podcasts)
- Amazon Podcast Charts
- Audible Podcast Charts
1. Apple Podcasts Charts
For all iPhone lovers, Apple Podcasts is naturally of particular interest. In the Apple Podcasts charts feature the top podcasts, top episodes, top subscription podcasts, and top subscription channels across the entire platform, according to Apple.
What categories are there in the Apple Podcasts charts?
The Apple Podcast Charts feature the top podcasts and top episodes, each of which is ranked according to the following categories :
- Society and culture
- Health and fitness
- News
- Comedy
- Education
- Economy
- art
- Sports
- science
- Music
- Children and family
- TV and film
- technology
- leisure time
- Religion and Spirituality
- True Crime
- History
- fiction
- government
By default, the Apple Podcast Charts list the top 200 podcasts in all categories, which are also updated several times a day.
How do you rank in the Apple Podcasts charts?
The specific ranking factors have not yet been shared with the public by Apple for "integrity reasons." Nevertheless, there is of course some information that indicates which factors are important for landing at the top of the Apple Podcasts charts.
According to Apple, these factors include:
- Listening: High interaction rates—such as adding to favorites—are logically an important indicator.
- Followers: The more listeners a podcast has, the better it is for the algorithm.
- Completion rate:It is also important that listeners listen to the podcast episodes in their entirety and do not switch off after a few seconds.
Good to know: According to the company, leaving reviews or sharing podcasts is not included in the algorithm for the podcast charts!
2. Spotify Podcast Charts
Also on Spotify also has a ranking system that showcases the best podcasts. And just like Apple, Spotify also offers the option of choosing between the top 200 podcasts and the 200 top episodes .
What categories are there on Spotify Podcast Charts?
In addition, the results displayed can also be found in the Spotify podcast charts under category , of which the following are currently available:
- art
- Business
- Comedy
- Education
- fiction
- Health & Fitness
- History
- leisure time
- Music
- News
- Religion & Spirituality
- science
- Society & Culture
- Sports
- technology
- True Crime
- Film & Television
Spotify updates its podcast charts on a daily basis.
How do you rank in the Spotify podcast charts?
Spotify also does not reveal in detail which factors are included in the rankings. Its website merely states that the charts podcast listeners and interactions . It is important that the podcast has as many followers as possible and that the content is listened to for as long as possible.
Spotify also shares some tips for podcast creatorsto gain more followers:
- Share podcast on social media
- Embed Spotify Player on your own website
- Create playlists with podcast episodes
- Add links to episode descriptions
3. YouTube Music (formerly: Google Podcasts)
After it became clear that the majority of users preferred to listen to podcasts on YouTube, Google LLC decided to discontinue the "Google Podcasts" service after six years and instead move the content to YouTube Music . After Google Podcasts was discontinued on August 30, 2024, the music (and podcasts) now plays on YouTube Music.
What categories are there on YouTube Music?
Unlike Apple or Spotify, YouTube Music does not have any real podcast charts. Instead, podcasts are simply displayed under the general music and entertainment categories. To date, there are no special rankings featuring the most popular shows and episodes.
How do you rank on YouTube Music?
As already mentioned, YouTube Music does not yet have traditional podcast charts.
The podcasts that are included in the YouTube Music recommendations are based on the individual listening history and the "current mood" of the respective listener. Accordingly, there are no clear indications as to which ranking factors play a role on YouTube Music.
4. Amazon Podcast Charts
Another hosting platform for podcasts is Amazon Music, which is structured in a similar way to YouTube Music. The podcast charts on Amazon Music are also not sorted chronologically. Instead, there is a selection of "Top Podcasts" for the different categories. In addition, Amazon Music publishes an list of the best podcasts of the year .
What categories are available on Amazon Music?
First of all, Amazon Music generally offers the "most popular podcasts" and the "podcasts of the week," which can be found right at the top of the page. But of course, you can also search for category :
- True Crime
- News
- Society & Culture
- Comedy
- Children & Family
- Music
- Education
- Health & Fitness
- Economy
- technology
- Sports
- Religion & Spirituality
- science
- History
- leisure time
- government
How do you rank on Amazon Music?
Amazon Music also uses the exact ranking factors are kept secret. Nevertheless, there is now, of course, solid empirical evidence about which aspects influence the ranking. For this reason, we have compiled a list of what we consider to be the most important ranking tips if you want to catapult your podcast further up the rankings.
5. Audible Podcast Charts
Audible initially made a name for itself with audiobooks, but podcasts have now also become an integral part of the Amazon subsidiary. Audible also publishes an annual list of the most listened to podcasts .
However, the so-called "Audible Original Podcasts." These are a podcast program developed by Amazon.
What categories are available on Audible Podcasts?
Here is an overview of the different categories of Audible Original podcasts:
- True Crime
- falling asleep
- psychology
- News & Politics
- Comedy
- science
- English podcasts
In addition, the Audible Magazine also features various blog poststhat introduce, for example, "10 good podcasts you need to know" or "The top 10 best German podcasts."
How do you rank on Audible?
According to Audible, the company places particular emphasis on "highest quality standards." However, Audible does not reveal exactly what these quality standards are.
The website simply states that Audible developed the original podcasts in collaboration with well-known media brands, journalists, and personalities.
How to get into the podcast charts – final tips for better rankings!
As you have probably realized by now, most podcast platforms quite secretivewhen it comes to the ranking factors that ensure your podcast makes it into the charts.
Nevertheless, based on empirical values , there are some indications as to which factors could be decisive.
Here are 5 factorsthat are likely to play a role on most podcast platforms:
- Number of subscribers: How many people listen to your podcast?
- Listening time: How long do your listeners stay tuned in? Do they listen to the entire episode, or do they switch off after the first minute?
- Interaction rate: How active are your listeners? Do they engage by liking, commenting, or sharing your episodes?
- Novelty & Consistency: How often do you publish new episodes? Several times a week? Or just whenever you feel like it?
- Reviews: How do your listeners rate your podcast? Do you receive only positive feedback? Or do you often get negative reviews?
But how do you ensure that you get more subscribers, for example? Or that the interaction rate for your podcast episodes increases?
Content remains king!
Here, too, there are of course a lot of different approachesyou can pursue.
Regardless of this, however, the golden rule still applies here: Content is king!
If you deliver good content, you will eventually build up an interested audience. Here are a few suggestions on how you could go about doing this:
- Deliver real added value: Offer something unique or special that other podcasts don't have to offer. This could be your hard-earned expertise, for example, which other people might even charge money for.
- Invite interesting guests: Every now and then, you just need a change of pace. By inviting exciting interview partners, you can bring a breath of fresh air and new perspectives to your podcast.
- Create a catchy teaser: With a creative intro, you can pique your listeners' curiosity and summarize the most important highlights of your episode in just a few seconds.
And don't forget: Good content also requires that the technology is good! Even with the best content, your listeners will eventually tune out if the audio quality is poor or technical problems occur constantly. So make sure you have good sound quality and post-production!