YouTube has widened its lead in delivering podcasts to consumers, continuing a leadership posture it has maintained and grown for three years.
This according to a graphic release produced by Signal Hill Insights and Cumulus Media. (See it HERE.) The key chart, shown below, illustrates YouTubes persistent — though not continuous year-over-year — growth from 15% of consumer reach to 39%.
At the same time, we see that YouTube does not dominate to the extent that its reputation, or the headline of this article, might imply. While YouTube’s influence has generally grown over six years, its reach has not touched the 50% level. The April 2025 measurement above shows YouTube handling 39% of podcast delivery, with Spotify grabbing 21% and former leader Apple shrinking its former prominence to eight percent. It’s
“It’s an easy leap of logic to make. You hear that YouTube is the number one most preferred podcast app. From there, it’s not a big jump to think being number one means it’s dominating – the absolute winner in the tournament of podcast apps. But this isn’t sport, and consumer preference isn’t the Super Bowl or FIFA World Cup. There are no Wimbledon elimination brackets to find the one true champion.” — Paul Riismandel, President and Partner, Signal Hill Insights
(H/T Podnews.)