[FAQ]

I’ve just launched my podcast and published my first few episodes. I’m looking at my download stats for the first time and honestly, I have no idea what to make of them.

What is considered a “good” or even just a “normal” number of downloads per episode for a brand new podcast in 2025, say, within the first 30 days of its release? It’s really hard to know if my numbers are okay or if they’re really low, and I’m just trying to set some realistic expectations for myself.

Thanks for any insight!

[Jeff Bullas]

This is one of the most common questions new podcasters ask, and it is important to set realistic expectations. What is considered a “good” number depends on whether your podcast is primarily audio-based or video-based, as the key metrics are different.

First, for a traditional audio-only podcast, the standard industry metric is downloads per episode within the first 30 days of its release. Looking at recent industry data for 2025, if your new episode gets more than approximately 38 downloads in its first 30 days, you are already performing better than the median podcast. If you can achieve over 145 downloads per episode in that same timeframe, you are typically moving into the top 25% of all podcasts, which is a very strong start. Reaching over 620 downloads would place you in the top 10%.

However, it is also important to recognise that the way we measure podcast success has expanded beyond just downloads, especially with the rise of video.

For podcasts that are published as video on platforms like YouTube or Spotify, the primary metric is often “views,” not downloads. In this context, success is measured just like any other video content, by looking at view count, audience retention, and total watch time. A “good” number of views for a new video podcast would be benchmarked against other new video content in your specific niche, rather than against audio download numbers.

Furthermore, another key metric that applies across all platforms is the growth of your followers or subscribers. While not a direct measure of listenership for a single episode, a steadily growing follower count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your YouTube channel indicates that you are successfully building a loyal and retained audience. For any new show, tracking the growth of this subscriber base is a crucial indicator of its long-term health and potential.

Regardless of the format, your niche matters greatly. A highly specialised podcast might have smaller numbers, but a more valuable and engaged audience.

Therefore, for a new podcast, the most important metric to focus on is the trend over time. Are your average downloads, views, or your total number of followers consistently increasing from one month to the next? This shows you are finding your audience and that your content is resonating. Avoid comparing your new show’s numbers to those of established, famous podcasts.

In summary, for a new audio podcast, getting over 145 downloads per episode within the first month is a very strong start. For a video podcast, you would measure success in views against other video content. But for any new show, the truest indicator of success is the consistent, month-over-month growth of your key metrics, whichever they may be.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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