One of the most asked questions about podcast production is how long podcasts should be. And there is no definitive answer to this. There are some very successful podcasts where episodes can be longer than two hours. However, some short podcast episodes can engage the audience.
So, are long podcasts the best format, or is it better to have a shorter format? In this article, we look at the evidence.
How Long Is The Average Podcast?
About 30% of podcasters prefer to create a podcast that is between 20 and 40 minutes long, which has the highest rate. The next most popular length with podcasts (21%) is between 40 and 60 minutes long, and then 18% of podcasts prefer podcasts that are over 60 minutes long.
In comparison, 30% of podcasters prefer podcasts that are less than 20 minutes in length, with an even number of podcasters preferring podcasts on either side of the 10-minute mark.
These figures are very even, so it isn’t easy to determine whether experienced podcasters have found an ideal niche.
What Do Audiences Prefer
Research from Riverside.fm has found that there are no definitive audience preferences. Many factors can determine what is the best length for a podcast. For instance, podcasts for younger audiences or where there is a single host are better suited for short-length formats.
However, if you want to target those working from home or enjoying the podcast while relaxing at home, then longer-form content is often more suited.
What Other Factors Can Contribute to Best Length?
Numerous factors can also contribute to the length requirements. The genre of the podcast can have a significant impact. Those publishing episodes on detailed factual events or concepts might require significant length to explore a topic, compared to those that cover daily sports results in a shorter version.
The host can also be a factor. Audiences engage with hosts in various ways. Some hosts are much better suited to the short format, whereas others can keep audiences engaged and entertained for hours.
Finally, there is the podcast format. Podcasts interviewing experts and others tend to be about an hour long, whereas those hosted by one person, with them giving a monologue about a subject, tend to be much shorter.
Frequency can also be another factor to consider. If you’re publishing content daily, you might not have the time or energy to publish long podcast episodes. But if you’re restricting yourself to a weekly or monthly podcast, the hour-plus podcast might be better for your brand.
FAQs: Long Podcasts: Are They Better Than Shorter Podcast Episodes?
What’s considered a long podcast?
A long podcast is any podcast that is an hour or more in length. About 18% of all podcasts are this length.
Do long podcasts perform well?
There are numerous successful podcasts, including the most downloaded in the world, which are an hour or longer. However, there are numerous successful podcasts which are also very short.
Can you make more money from a longer podcast?
The revenue you generate from a podcast is less about the length, and more with the engagement. If your podcast is too long and audiences don’t engage with it, then advertisers will pay you less to promote your podcast.
Final Word: Long Podcasts: Are They Better Than Shorter Podcast Episodes?
The ideal length of a podcast episode is debatable. It can be as short as ten minutes or longer than an hour. Numerous factors can determine the best length for your podcast; you might need to record more frequent, but shorter podcasts for your audience. Or your audience might like in-depth podcasts which require a significant length of time.
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