Apple Podcasts Wikiwand

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 28, 2025, 4:50 AM

Apple Podcasts (known as simply Podcasts in Apple operating systems) is an audio streaming service and media player application developed by Apple Inc. for playing podcasts. Apple began supporting podcasts with iTunes 4.9 released in June 2005 and launched its first standalone mobile app in 2012. The app was later pre-installed with iOS beginning October 2014. The Apple Podcasts directory features more than two million shows.[1] Apple Podcasts is available on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, CarPlay, visionOS, Microsoft Windows operating systems, web browsers, and on Amazon Alexa devices. Apple was an early promoter of podcasts (the term is a portmanteau of Apple's iPod music player and "broadcast"),[2] and added playback functionality to iTunes 4.9 released in June 2005 and built a directory...

Apple Podcasts had an estimated 28 million American monthly listeners and 23.8% market share in March 2021, the first month it fell behind Spotify Podcasts as the top podcasting platform in the United States. This was a decrease from Apple's 34% market share in 2018.[7] In 2025 it was reported that Apple Podcasts had regained market share and had a 37.4% market share in the U.S. based on views and downloads of the top 250 podcasts in the U.S. This placed it ahead of Youtube (23.2%) and Spotify (15.2%) with all three combined having a 75.8% market share. Though it was also noted that Apple Podcasts Auto-downloads by default.[8]

A standalone Apple Podcasts app was announced at the 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference as a feature of iOS 6. Apple released the app early on the App Store on June 26, 2012. It adds a new "stations" feature for discovering new podcasts.[9] It is a standard app on CarPlay. Apple Podcasts (known as simply Podcasts in Apple operating systems) is an audio streaming service and media player application developed by Apple Inc. for playing podcasts. Apple began supporting podcasts with iTunes 4.9 released in June 2005 and launched its first standalone mobile app in 2012.

The app was later pre-installed with iOS beginning October 2014. The Apple Podcasts directory features more than two million shows.[1] Apple Podcasts is available on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, CarPlay, visionOS, Microsoft Windows operating systems, web browsers, and on Amazon Alexa devices. Apple was an early promoter of podcasts (the term is a portmanteau of Apple's iPod music player and "broadcast"),[2] and added playback functionality to iTunes 4.9 released in June 2005 and built a directory... Apple Podcasts had an estimated 28 million American monthly listeners and 23.8% market share in March 2021, the first month it fell behind Spotify Podcasts as the top podcasting platform in the United States. This was a decrease from Apple's 34% market share in 2018.[7] In 2025 it was reported that Apple Podcasts had regained market share and had a 37.4% market share in the U.S.

based on views and downloads of the top 250 podcasts in the U.S. This placed it ahead of Youtube (23.2%) and Spotify (15.2%) with all three combined having a 75.8% market share. Though it was also noted that Apple Podcasts Auto-downloads by default.[8] A standalone Apple Podcasts app was announced at the 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference as a feature of iOS 6. Apple released the app early on the App Store on June 26, 2012. It adds a new "stations" feature for discovering new podcasts.[9] It is a standard app on CarPlay.

Explore an incredibly diverse collection of entertaining and informative podcasts. Dive deep into what interests you most, from insightful interviews to groundbreaking series. And enjoy it all on a platform designed for listeners and creators. Millions of podcasts on topics for everyone. Personalized discovery with easy ways to search. Powerful playback controls to customize your listening.

Subscriptions that deliver more from your favorite shows. Apple Podcasts is a popular platform for listening to and discovering podcasts. It is a free app that allows users to subscribe to their favorite podcasts, download episodes for offline listening, and discover new shows based on their interests. Apple Podcasts is available on iOS devices, Mac computers, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and even on the web. To submit a podcast to Apple Podcasts, you need to have an Apple ID and access to a podcast hosting platform. Here are the steps to submit your podcast:

1. Create an Apple ID if you don’t already have one. 2. Sign in to Apple Podcasts Connect using your Apple ID. 3. Click on the “+” sign to add a new podcast.

4. Enter your podcast’s RSS feed URL from your hosting platform. 5. Fill out all the required information about your podcast, including title, description, category, and artwork. 6. Submit your podcast for review by Apple.

7. Once approved, your podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts for listeners to discover and subscribe to. Being on Apple Podcasts can provide several benefits for podcasters, including: 1. Reach a large audience: Apple Podcasts is one of the most popular podcast platforms with millions of active users. By being on Apple Podcasts, you can reach a larger audience and grow your listener base.

2. Credibility and visibility: Being on Apple Podcasts can give your podcast credibility and visibility in the podcasting community. It can help you attract new listeners and potential sponsors. 3. Analytics and insights: Apple Podcasts provides podcasters with analytics and insights about their listeners, including download numbers, listener demographics, and listening behavior. This data can help you understand your audience better and tailor your content to their preferences.

4. Monetization opportunities: Apple Podcasts offers opportunities for podcasters to monetize their content through advertising, sponsorships, and listener donations. By being on Apple Podcasts, you can explore different monetization options and generate revenue from your podcast. Apple celebrated 20 years of Apple podcasts on Thursday by unveiling a curated collection of 20 shows that it said helped shape the medium into what it is today. The first podcasts in iTunes debuted back in 2005, before the name “Apple Podcasts” became a thing. This new list is like a roadmap to quality content that goes back in time.

“This list is a love letter to the podcasts that left a lasting impact on us and the ones we continue to recommend again and again,” the streamer wrote. “They are shows with hosts that feel like friends, and shows that make us press play immediately on the latest episode to hear what happens next. These shows have measurably improved our lives and helped define this medium we know and love.” The Apple Podcasts milestone celebration honors a maturing medium. Podcasts emerged a few years before iTunes support came along. The word “podcast” credited to journalist Ben Hammersley.

He referred to “podcasting” in a 2004 article in The Guardian. The term is a portmanteau of “iPod” and “broadcast,” highlighting Apple’s instrumental role in bringing podcasting to mainstream audiences. This new list of 20 favorites, is simply the latest of its kind from the iPhone giant. Apple’s editorial teams for services are no strangers to making lists of favorites from over the years, with Apple Music picking its top 100 albums of all time last year. This human-curated approach contrasts with purely data-driven recommendations. Apple’s team specifically chose shows that “best exemplify how far podcasting has come — and where it can go in the next two decades.”

Each of the 20 shows includes its own editorial note on Apple’s dedicated anniversary website. The note explains why the show got selected and what makes it significant to the medium’s development. This contextual information helps users understand not just what to listen to, but why these particular shows matter in podcasting history. In a world where digital audio fills commutes, workouts, and late-night scrolls, podcasts have carved out a loyal audience, and Apple Podcasts remains a pivotal player in that space. Back in the day, it was just another app on your iPhone. But now?

It’s the home base for millions of podcast enthusiasts, creators, and advertisers. As we step into 2025, Apple Podcasts is no longer simply competing, it’s shaping trends. From growing niche audiences to embracing subscriptions and AI-powered recommendations, the platform continues to evolve with its listeners. This article breaks down the key statistics that define Apple Podcasts today. Apple Podcasts in 2025 is far more than a listening platform, it’s a growing ecosystem for discovery, monetization, and community building. As the battle for podcast dominance intensifies, Apple is leaning into its strengths: tight hardware integration, listener loyalty, and a paid-first model that’s proving sustainable for creators.

From smart device syncing and AI-curated highlights to record subscription growth and creator tools, Apple Podcasts continues to evolve. For listeners, it means more content choices and seamless playback. For creators, it means smarter monetization and deeper audience insights. As we move deeper into the decade, Apple Podcasts looks ready to remain a cornerstone of the audio experience, innovative, accessible, and increasingly indispensable. Apple Podcasts is marking its 20th anniversary in a characteristically understated style. “We couldn’t let the moment pass without a huge thank you,” it says in a message to creators.

Apple Podcasts Wikiwand

People Also Search

Apple Podcasts (known As Simply Podcasts In Apple Operating Systems)

Apple Podcasts Had An Estimated 28 Million American Monthly Listeners

A Standalone Apple Podcasts App Was Announced At The 2012

The App Was Later Pre-installed With IOS Beginning October 2014.

Based On Views And Downloads Of The Top 250 Podcasts