Acast, Meta Partner to Help Podcasters Build Communities

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 22, 2022 | 12:53pm CT

Acast

Acast is integrating with Meta to give podcasters new ways to cultivate their audiences and engage with fans. The companies are developing an integration between Facebook Groups and Acast+, the podcast subscription offering that allows creators to give paying fans benefits across multiple platforms.

Creators using Acast+ will be able to offer listeners entry to subscriber-only Facebook Groups where fans can engage with each other, interact directly with their favorite podcasters and receive access to benefits -- including live streams, Q&As, special events and more.

The integration will not only enable podcasters to build a community for their listeners, but also to offer their fans new perks with a much simpler user experience.

Acast CEO Ross Adams said, "When podcasters are able to build deep relationships with their listeners, great things happen. A core part of Acast's mission is to help turn those listeners into true, loyal fans - and this integration with Meta helps make that a reality for our tens of thousands of podcasters around the world."

"The best parts of the web are powered by platforms that are interoperable -- ones that communicate with each other and enable creators to reach their audience wherever they are. Such technology is the foundation of the open podcast ecosystem that Acast has championed since its inception," said commented Acast VP of Strategy Simon Marcus. "Interoperability profoundly affects the ability for new businesses to start, creators to thrive, and users to access content across platforms - which is key to the technology we're so excited to be developing with Meta."

Ahead of the public launch, several creators -- including Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Sullivan, who host the beauty podcast Fat Mascara -- will participate in a testing period to help refine the technology. Acast is the first podcast company to announce an integration with Facebook's Interoperable Subscriber Groups.