What the new Spotify for Podcasters app brings to your show
Spotify is one of the most popular ways people consume podcasts. Within certain demographics, like the Gen Z audience, it is the go-to app for podcast listeners. Last month, they launched video podcasts directly within the platform and now – Spotify developed comments for podcasts!
How Does It Work?
Very simply put – podcasters are now able to interact directly with their listeners through a Spotify comments section. Much like what we are used to on YouTube, podcast creators will be able to directly chat to anyone leaving comments on their show while listeners will be able to comment on their favourite episodes right back. Creators will simply need to download the new Spotify for Podcasters mobile app and make sure they link up their show with their account. From there – no matter where they are hosted – they will be able to build stronger relationships with their listeners.
This of course builds on the previously existing Q&A and polls function of Spotify for Podcasters. Spotify reports that over 9 million listeners have already interacted with their polls this year, so introducing more tools for listeners makes complete sense.
Why Are Comments Good News for Podcasts?
All noise from your listeners is good noise. Having more ways to interact directly with the people who love (or maybe don’t love) your show is always going to be positive. By speaking directly to listeners, you can build stronger connections between your show and your community. You can also receive feedback about your show that could help you improve or tweak your content to better suit them. There is also one more thing: comments on your podcast will certainly change how you think about your audience. The more you hear from your listeners, the more real they become and that might dictate how you think about the content you produce. Your one-way monologue into a microphone becomes a conversation, and isn’t that kind of the point?
Perhaps we will see more incentive for creators to include tags like ‘don’t forget to leave a comment’ instead of/in addition to a review, and we have no doubt that the more your show gets interacted with – the more platforms will enjoy having you featured.
Are There Any Downsides?
Just a couple… comment management is labour intensive. If you already have social accounts like IG and YouTube for your show, you might be accustomed to how time consuming moderating and interacting with comments can be. It is also crucial that your audiences do get the attention from you, so the pressure of not letting them down can be a bit too much if you are an independent podcaster with a large following.
There is also of course the possibility of trolls. Negative feedback on your show will happen with or without a new Spotify feature, but with more avenues to explore… there will inevitably be more criticism aimed your way. Most of your listeners however will always be your supporters, so don’t let any negative comments get in the way of creating a show your community loves. The new Spotify for Podcasters app also means you are more in control of your show – so feel free to moderate your show however you wish.
And What Else is New?
Perhaps one of the coolest things about the new Spotify for Podcasters is that it will alert you in real time if your podcast has reached a new spot on the Spotify charts! We love a supportive app. Same goes for any other milestones that you achieve and we do rate that the new app is available for all podcasters, regardless of their hosting platform.
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