There was a time when one had to guess a podcast episode by its offbeat title or a bizarre description, Spotify has tried to put an end to such effort. Now users can finally find out whether that two-hour exploration of mushroom and its benefits really did stick with anyone, or was it just a random podcast suggested by a friend.

Spotify is cranking up the volume in the podcast battles. In a bold bid to challenge YouTube’s dominance, the streaming giant has launched a highly demanded feature that reveals how many times each podcast episode has been listened to, audio and video formats included.

The new feature, simply titled “plays,” now displays throughout the Spotify app. Whether on the home page, a podcast’s primary show page, or an individual episode list, listeners can quickly determine the popularity of each show by the frequency with which it’s been streamed. The option is also available to podcasters through Spotify for Creators and Megaphone.

Podcast Goes Public

This is the first time Spotify has made available such data to the general public for podcasts, both for listeners and makers, giving them a better idea of what material works. For users, it provides a social proof layer that may prompt them to try new shows based simply on popularity. For makers, the data can be used as a performance standard, indicating what works, what doesn’t, and how they perform relative to other contenders.

Spotify explains that the aim is to promote wider podcast discovery by bringing to the surface trending or highly enjoyed episodes. A show that would otherwise go unnoticed could now take off if the numbers shout loudly enough.

Planned with Robust Growth

The news comes on the tail of Spotify’s first-quarter earnings, where the company gained 5 million premium subscribers, growing to 268 million in total. That’s the largest first-quarter gain since 2020, and it highlights the platform’s growth and ambition across music and podcasts.

In a digital world where content is currency and attention is the reward, opening up performance metrics to creators and listeners may redefine the space. It helps small creators improve and refine their content, it opens a horizon for discovery, and allows platforms such as YouTube to step up their own podcasting game. As Spotify refines its creators’ tools and demands more openness, it is evident that the company is seeking to reinvent how listeners interact with podcasts in general.