Podcast Downloads Are Lower Than You Think
Let’s talk numbers.
People are always shocked when I tell them what the average podcast download count looks like. We’ve been conditioned to think that 10,000 views = good, and anything less is... well, not worth mentioning.
But here’s the truth about podcasting:
The average audience size is WAY lower than you think… and more powerful than you realize.
What’s “Normal” Anyway?
Here’s a quick breakdown, based on data from Share Your Genius and Backlinko:
The median podcast sees about 141 downloads in the first 30 days after release.
If you're hitting 93 downloads in the first week, you’re already in the top 25% of all podcasts.
Got 472 downloads within 7 days? Congrats, you’re in the top 10%.
And if you’re getting 4,615+ downloads in the first week? You’re sitting pretty in the top 1%.
But Podcasting Isn’t About Going Viral
We’ve been trained by social media to think that a piece of content only matters if it explodes.
But podcasting? Podcasting is a slow burn. It’s intimate. It’s intentional. It’s one of the only mediums where someone will give you their full attention for 20, 30, even 60 minutes, without scrolling away.
You don’t need 10,000 downloads if you’ve got 100 people hanging onto every word.
That kind of engagement is unheard of in paid ads or organic social. You might get a 3-second view or a “like,” but that’s not the same as someone putting in their headphones and actually listening to you talk.
One Listener > 100 Scrollers
This is where podcasting flexes its true value.
Every single download represents someone who chose to listen to you. On purpose. Probably while they were doing something personal, like driving, cooking, or walking their dog. That’s intimate real estate. That’s trust.
So sure, your episode might “only” get 100 downloads.
But if those 100 people are:
Your exact target audience,
Engaging with your brand or story for 20+ minutes,
And likely to come back next week for more…
You’re not losing. You’re winning.
So What Should Podcasters Focus On?
Stop chasing virality. Focus on connection and consistency.
Stop comparing podcast metrics to video views. It’s apples to oranges. Podcast engagement is deeper.
Start treating every download like a person who showed up to hear from you. Because that’s exactly what it is.
Podcasting isn’t about scale. It’s about depth.
So the next time someone asks, “How many downloads do you get?” share your numbers proudly! And refer back to this blog post as proof of what a BOSS you are.
Because in this medium? Quality beats quantity, every single time.
