How to grow your podcast and build your audience

The fastest way to grow a podcast audience is to make your show easy to find and easy to recommend: a clear name, standout artwork, sharp descriptions, presence on every major platform (including YouTube), and a social presence that turns listeners into a community. None of it requires a marketing budget. It requires consistency and a few decisions made well.

This guide covers each of those, updated for how people actually discover podcasts in 2026.

Where people find podcasts in 2026

Discovery has shifted. YouTube is now the most popular podcast platform in the US with a 33% share, ahead of Spotify at 26% and Apple Podcasts at 14%. Just over half of podcast shows now publish full video episodes, more than double the 2022 figure, and 71% of podcasters incorporate video in some form. Audio-only distribution still matters everywhere, but if your show exists only as an RSS feed, you're invisible on the platform where the most discovery happens.

The practical takeaway: distribute your audio to every major app, and treat video (or at least audiograms and clips) as a discovery channel, not a production burden.

How to name your podcast

It all starts with a name.

Much of the future success of your podcast will depend on how well you communicate it to your audience. Your name will be your brand, and your identity. It's what people will search for when they want to listen; what they'll tell their friends when they're recommending your show.

If you're struggling for the perfect title, keep it simple. A turn of phrase or lighthearted description of what you'll be covering should do it. You don't need to over-explain, as you'll include more in your logline and show description.

Avoid using the word "podcast" in your title, and unless it's totally essential try to avoid swear-words. That's not us being boring: it could affect your standing with potential sponsors and platforms in the future.

One more 2026 consideration: people increasingly ask AI assistants and search engines for podcast recommendations in plain language. A name that hints at your subject gives both humans and algorithms something to match against. Finally, once you've landed on the perfect name, search it on Acast. If it, or something similar, already exists, head back to the drawing board.

How to get the perfect podcast artwork

Like your title, your podcast artwork needs to be punchy and unique: something that sells the concept of your show in a simple, eye-catching way.

If you have the budget, you can commission a designer. Either way, your artwork should be no smaller than 1400x1400 pixels and no larger than 512KB, so it looks sharp wherever it appears.

Think big and bright. You want to stand out in a lineup. But don't overdo the detail, and especially the words: most people will first see your artwork as a small thumbnail.

How to market your podcast on Acast

Beyond your name and artwork, two other components shape how your podcast is presented on platforms like Acast.

First, you'll need a logline: a single sentence that sums your show up for new listeners. Think of it as an elevator pitch, fleshing out the whos, whats, and whys behind your title.

Next, a description. This larger chunk of text appears to anyone who searches for your podcast, so be accessible and inviting. Include the format, themes, and hosts, but also give a sense of your tone of voice. Is this a light-hearted listen or something more serious? Many creators find around 500 characters works best. Write it in plain, specific language: it's also what search engines and AI assistants read when deciding whether your show answers someone's request.

Each episode needs its own title and show notes too. Lead with the detail most likely to entice a listener, since long titles get cut short in search. Name your guests. Use the show notes to recap the episode and link out to your website, socials, and anything you referenced.

How to use social media to grow your podcast

The best free way to get the word out is social media, so set up accounts specific to your show. Use the same artwork across the podcast and your social accounts to build a consistent identity, link your socials in your podcast description, and link your show in your bios.

Post about every episode. Many podcasts have success previewing particularly funny, shocking or interesting clips on Instagram, TikTok or X. Short video clips do double duty here: they feed the platforms where discovery actually happens and give existing listeners something to share.

Beyond promotion, use social media to interact with your audience. If they ask questions or offer suggestions, reply during your next episode. This is the power of podcasting: community-led creativity in practice.

How do you use social media to interact with your listeners?

"We have found that social media was the first place to start with building a community for our listeners. It's a free space to start to interact and make the listeners feel part of the podcast. We would always engage in social media messages and suggestions and often reference interesting or funny ones during the intro to an episode."

Stu Whiffen
Hardcore Listing

Many podcasts also keep listeners up to date with a website. Hosting your podcast with Acast gives you a website of your own at no extra cost: head to your Acast account and select the website tab to get started.

FAQ

What's the best way to promote a podcast?

Consistency across three channels: distribution to every major listening app, short video clips on social platforms, and direct engagement with the listeners you already have. Word of mouth remains the biggest driver, and engaged listeners are the ones who recommend you.

Should my podcast be on YouTube?

Almost certainly. YouTube is the most-used podcast platform in the US, and over half of shows now publish full video there. If full video isn't realistic, start with clips or audiograms.

How do I increase my podcast download numbers?

Publish on a reliable schedule, make every episode easy to share, cross-promote with shows of a similar size, and make sure your titles and descriptions say plainly what each episode delivers. Growth compounds: each episode is a new front door to your back catalog.