Do you want to start a podcast, but are not sure how long should a podcast be? Are you a regular listener of podcasts and notice some seem longer than others? There’s no one size fits all solution; some shows need more than an hour, while others work great in 15 minutes or less. 

In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about podcast episode length, from how often to release new episodes to why are podcasts so long. Plus, find out how to start a podcast of your own. 

1. What Should Be the Ideal Podcast Length?

One of the most challenging decisions you have to make is determining the ideal podcast length. Although podcasts vary significantly in terms of content, topic, and format – they need to be just long enough to pique the listener’s interest and engage them from start to finish. 

Generally speaking, podcast episodes should last between 10-30 minutes for maximum impact and keep the audience hooked. Also, you should pay attention to your energy levels when recording to ensure that content remains engaging and lively throughout. With careful consideration of the podcast topic and format, listeners will find the content interesting and worthwhile, regardless of its length. 

2. Factors that Determine How Long Should a Podcast Be

2.1. What Is Your Podcast Topic?

Choosing a podcast topic is one of the important decisions. According to sources, the most popular topics on Apple Podcast are – crime, investigation, journalism, and talk shows. You can choose a topic that interests your target audience and engages them. Here are a few considerations for deciding on a podcast topic – 

• Who is your target audience?
• What is your interest?
• What’s your unique value proposition?
• Can you monetize the topic?

Whether finance, mystery, or comedy, a good podcast focuses on grabbing the audience’s attention. Whatever topic you choose, the key is to tell a story that connects with your audience at an emotional level. If you have difficulty selecting a topic, here are some podcast ideas to try – 

• You can talk about your favorite activity
• Advice column
• Narrate an inspirational story
• Interviews of influencers
• Reviews of popular entertainment programs
• Talk about a day in your life

In a nutshell, your interest in the subject, the preferences of your audience, and your perspective can help you decide on the topic.  

2.2. What Is the Purpose of Your Podcast?

The purpose of your podcast is an important factor that helps you determine how long should a podcast be. A podcast can have many purposes, but the main ones are: first, to educate people by presenting the guests’ unique insights; second, to inspire audio listeners with entertaining conversations that will open up new perspectives on life and drive positive change. Finally, through inspirational anecdotes and thought-provoking discussions, your podcast can grab the attention of a wider audience. 

Many podcasters use it as a medium to broadcast news and opinions, produce fictionalized stories and dramas, as well as educate their audience through interviews with experts and feature authors from various fields. Through podcasts, people can experience both entertainment and education by consuming content at their own pace at the length that best suits them.

2.3. How Long Is Your Introduction and Conclusion?

While there is flexibility when it comes to length, it is important not to drift too far from this guideline if you want listeners to engage with your podcast. Your podcast introduction should be brief and include basic descriptions of the episode as well as relevant information about the guests featured. Similarly, an effective conclusion will capture the core points made throughout the conversation. 

Your introduction and conclusion determine the overall length or duration of your podcast. Now to understand how long your introduction and final words should be, you need to know what to include. The key elements of the introduction are – the teaser, podcast, host(s) name, explanation, episode title, and introduction. 

Most experts recommend keeping the intro short and crisp, around 15-30 seconds. Similarly, the conclusion (outro) is where you break away from the subject and wrap up your episode. You can keep the length of your podcast conclusion to 30 seconds or less.  By adhering to these length suggestions for both your intro and conclusion, you can more easily keep listeners engaged and focused on the podcast’s content until its completion.

3. Shorter Vs Longer Podcasts

Podcasting has become an increasingly popular medium in the past few years, but what is the ideal podcast length 2023? “How long should a podcast be?” is a nuanced question, as podcasts can be short or long depending on their content and purpose. 

Generally speaking, though, research indicates that podcasts have a greater engagement when they are between 15-30 minutes long. Often, listener fatigue begins to set in with longer formats. So, any podcast episode over 45 minutes can run the risk of losing audiences. When creating episodic content or one-off discussions – it is vital to strike the right balance between brevity and providing meaningful content.

With shorter length comes wider accessibility and digestibility, while longer length can allow for detailed understanding through exposition and examples. Therefore, it is important that creators research the appropriate length for their unique content before crafting their podcast episodes.

3.1. Benefits of Shorter Podcast

Short podcasts are becoming increasingly popular for their ease of use and efficient format. In today’s busy world, people often don’t have time to sit and listen to an hour-long podcast. Short podcasts, usually between 10 and 15 minutes, can provide a great way to stay informed while still fitting into your daily schedule. They offer many advantages in terms of getting important information out to the listener quickly and efficiently. So when you are looking at how long should a podcast be, consider the demographic as well.

Also, they typically require less editing than longer ones, resulting in fewer costly production errors. Additionally, shorter podcasts make it easier for listeners to binge-listen on mobile devices, with a shorter total playtime than an extended podcast session. 

10 Things That Scare Me, 99% Invisible, Alice Isn’t Dead, and  Committed are some examples of short podcasts. 

3.2. Benefits of Longer Podcast

Longer podcast episodes (45 minutes and above) offer many advantages for your entertainment and intellectual stimulation. By providing more in-depth discussions on a range of topics, longer podcasts allow you to analyze the idea and provide an opportunity for meaningful storytelling. Longer podcasts, however, allow speakers to develop ideas more deeply while delving into greater detail on topics. 

Listening to longer shows encourages active listening and heightened engagement with the speakers and content – allowing listeners to become more in tune with the discussion and explore further avenues of thought. Furthermore, longer podcasts can establish a deeper connection between creators and their audience, as in-depth discussion allows for more collaboration across multiple levels. 

The Joe Rogan Experience and RadioLab, and Stuff You Should Know are examples of longer podcasts.  

4. Should All the Podcast Episodes Be of the Same length?

Podcasts are an increasingly popular form of media that allows its viewers to gain access to a variety of interesting topics and experiences. Many podcasts offer outstanding content, as the length does not always determine quality. With length, however, there is a clear argument for allowing episodes of varied lengths.

Providing different lengths of episodes can make it easier for the listener to figure out what fits best with their particular experience or current situation. For example, a shorter one can be consumed on the go or during commutes, while longer ones allow for more in-depth exploration and analysis of a given topic. 

Further, the length of the podcast episodes offers scope to experiment with innovative ideas and techniques as well as compare opinions from different sources. In a nutshell, while the length is important in gaining viewership and attention, it should not be seen as holding more value than the content itself.

5. How Much Time Should You Invest?

Making a podcast requires dedication and patience. Although the timeline for podcast making varies, most podcasts take between 6-8 weeks, depending on the podcast format, type of content, and length of episodes. You need to plan topics, record audio sections, write scripts, and set up equipment during this time. 

Even once this is completed, you may need to allocate additional time to ensure sufficient levels of sound quality control when mixing and mastering the podcast episode. As podcast trends continuously change and evolve, you should continually enroll in courses or workshops to stay up-to-date with new tips, techniques, and industry information. So, How long should a podcast be? is a layered question with no one particular answer. All of it depends on how your routine works out.

6. FAQs

• What Should Be the Average Length of a Podcast?

Podcasts with less than 15 minutes are likely to get more views and likes because most people like to listen to a podcast episode in one stretch. An example of a short podcast is Radio Headspace which produces podcasts of 4-5 minutes. Subscribers can turn it on anytime for a quick break.  

• How long should a podcast be for beginners?

The ideal length of a podcast episode for beginners is 20 -30 minutes. This is long enough for you to give information, but short enough that people tune in for a listen.

• Are 10 minutes too short for a podcast?

No. 10 minutes is an acceptable mark to engage the listeners and educate them on the topic. Typically, solo podcasts, standup comedy, or stories can be as shorter as 10 minutes with better engagement. 

• How long should a podcast be for beginners?

The average length of the podcast for beginners is around 20-30 minutes. For newbies, it is better to keep the episodes shorter for more listener engagement.