What exactly constitutes a podcast download?

Freddy Cruz delves into the meaning of podcast downloads, specifically on Apple Podcasts. According to Apple, a download is equivalent to a play, which counts when someone presses play for at least one second. A more valuable metric is engaged listeners, those who listen to 40% or at least 20 minutes of an episode.

Subscribers or followers are distinguished from non-followers, who might discover an episode through a guest but haven't subscribed yet. Importance is placed on calls to action (CTAs) to encourage subscriptions, which can be strategically placed at different points in the episode.

Cruz explains how Apple Podcasts' backend analytics, such as total hours listened and episode retention rates, help podcasters understand listener behavior. For detailed insights, comparing episodes over different periods can show engagement trends. 

Key Takeaways

1. On Apple Podcasts, a download is essentially a play. It occurs when someone presses play on an episode for at least one second. This can be tracked through the backend dashboard and insights provided by Apple.

2. Regular listeners might just play an episode briefly, while engaged listeners are defined as those who listen to at least 40% or 20 minutes of an episode. Engaged listeners are more valuable as they show a higher level of interest and commitment.

3. Subscribers or followers are people who regularly tune in, whereas non-followers might listen occasionally, such as when a guest they're interested in appears on an episode. The goal should be to convert these non-followers into subscribers by using effective call-to-actions (CTAs).

4. It's important to monitor the retention rate of your episodes to understand how long listeners stay engaged. The aim is to have listeners complete as much of an episode as possible, ideally over 70%. High retention rates are a sign of content that resonates with the audience.

5. Analyzing your podcast's performance through metrics like total hours listened, trending episodes, and comparing engagement over different periods can provide insights into what's working and what needs adjustment. This helps in making informed decisions to improve future content and listener engagement.

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