Study: Audio Creators Drive Trust, Influence, and Sales

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 10:27am CT

Audacy

A new report finds that radio and podcast hosts are playing an increasingly central role in the creator economy, with trust and authenticity driving stronger engagement and measurable results for advertisers.

The State of Audio: The Creator Effect study from Audacy positions audio creators as "voice-first influencers," arguing that listeners view on-air personalities and podcasters not just as entertainers, but as trusted guides and community builders. The report notes that audio creator revenues have more than doubled since 2020, underscoring the growing commercial power of the medium.

According to the research, authenticity is the defining advantage for audio. Radio listeners are reported to be 100% more likely to trust recommendations from their favorite hosts compared with other forms of influencer marketing, while 61% of audiences say they are more likely to trust audio hosts with topic expertise than social media influencers. That trust translates into action, with significant portions of listeners reporting purchases, recommendations, or follow-up research after hearing host-delivered ads.

The report also highlights the strength of community and fandom, particularly in sports audio, where listeners show higher engagement and purchase intent when brands align with local and team-centric hosts. Smaller and mid-sized podcasts are cited as outperforming larger shows on conversion metrics, suggesting that depth of connection can outweigh raw audience size.

For advertisers, the study concludes that long-term partnerships, host-read endorsements, and creative integrations outperform transactional campaigns. As audio creators expand across platforms-from broadcast and podcasts to video, live events, and social-the report argues that brands that lean into authenticity and creator trust stand to gain stronger loyalty and return on investment.

Download the entire study here.