Studies Detail Podcast Platform Preferences Among Gen Z

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Edison Research

In the evolving landscape of digital media, understanding where Generation Z turns to for their podcast consumption is crucial for content creators and marketers. Recent findings from Edison Research and Transistor, a podcast hosting company, present conflicting views on the preferred platforms for this demographic.

Spotify has been cited as the platform of choice for Gen Z listeners, aged 13-29, according to a report by Transistor. Their data indicates that these listeners are twice as likely to choose Spotify over YouTube for their podcast needs. This information was derived from more than 100 interviews conducted via advertisements on Reddit, Tumblr, newsletters, and social media platforms.

However, a contrasting picture is painted by Edison Podcast Metrics, which suggests that YouTube slightly edges out Spotify as the favored platform among the same age group. Edison's findings are based on a broader and more robust dataset, comprising over 5,000 surveys from a nationally representative sample of U.S. weekly podcast listeners, including a significant segment of 1,568 Gen Z respondents from the fourth quarter of 2024.

The discrepancy between the two reports can be attributed to their differing methodologies. While Transistor's approach involves a smaller, perhaps less diverse sample primarily gathered through social media channels, Edison Podcast Metrics employs a comprehensive survey methodology. Their data is further weighted using The Infinite Dial survey, renowned as the 'gold standard' for establishing a demographic baseline.

As podcast consumption continues to grow and evolve, these differences underscore the importance of rigorous research methodologies in capturing accurate trends. Platforms must adapt to the shifting preferences of consumers, particularly the younger generations whose habits can set the trend for the industry.