One of the most common questions podcast hosts struggle with is: How long should my podcast episodes be? The answer completely depends on your audience, content style, and goals, but there are some strategic ways to determine the right length for your show. Podcasts have been around in India for over 15 years, but the real boom in listenership has happened over the last seven.
The industry grew from just 2.54 crore listeners to a huge 17.61 crore in the last seven years. Several factors contribute to this hike—engaging content, better accessibility, and diversified topics—but one underrated factor is episode length. We’ve worked with a number of podcasters in our studio, we’ve seen firsthand how adjusting an episode length can impact engagement. Let’s break it down:
Why Does Podcast Length Matter?
Before getting straight into numbers, it’s important to understand why podcast length matters in the first place. Here are a few reasons:
According to a Microsoft study, the average human attention span is just 8 seconds. This means you need to capture and hold your audience’s attention quickly for them to spend those 8 seconds with you.
Many listeners tune into podcasts during commutes, workouts, or chores. The length of your episode should align with these habits as well to make sure your audience can finish it in one sitting. But before doing so, you should also study your metrics to understand your audience and create a persona.
Longer episodes require more time and resources to produce. If you’re a solo podcaster or working with a small team, shorter episodes might be more sustainable.
If your episodes are too long, listeners might lose interest. If they’re too short, they might feel unsatisfied. Striking the right balance is key to keeping your audience engaged.
What’s the Average Podcast Length?
While there’s no universal “ideal” length, industry data can provide some useful benchmarks. According to a 2023 report by LowerStreet, the average podcast episode length is 41 minutes and 31 seconds. However, this number varies significantly depending on the genre and format.
Here’s a breakdown of average podcast lengths by category:
How to Choose the Right Podcast Length for Your Show?
Different formats and lengths work for different genres of podcast. So, when you are looking at deciding on the length just when you sit down to edit, here are some questions to consider:
Who is Your Audience?
If you cater to busy working professionals, 20-30 minute episodes work well for commutes or lunch breaks. If your audience enjoys deep dives, storytelling, or interviews, longer formats (45+ minutes) can be more effective.
Example: The Ranveer Show, one of India’s most popular podcasts, is not for people who are always on the go because it often runs for 60+ minutes and caters to an audience that enjoys in-depth discussions.
What’s Your Podcast Format?
Example: Puliyabaazi, an Indian podcast that talks about policy, technology, and culture, uses a conversational yet informative style with episodes ranging between 30-60 minutes.
What Are Your Goals?
Example: The Indian Startup Show features hour-long episodes that provide in-depth insights, making them ideal for listeners keen on understanding entrepreneurial journeys.
What’s Your Production Capacity?
If you’re renting a studio, longer episodes mean more recording and editing time. Breaking long episodes into a series can help maintain quality while managing workload.
Example: Audiogyan, an Indian podcast on design, art, and philosophy, often releases shorter, structured episodes to maintain high production quality while making sure consistency stays intact.
How to Find Your Ideal Episode Length?
The ideal length depends on your audience, your content, and whether your listeners are tuning in during a 10-minute coffee break or a full-blown road trip. That said, we can use industry trends, listener habits, and a little science (attention spans are shorter than ever—thanks, Instagram Reels) to make an informed decision. The best approach is to experiment, track, and refine. Here’s how:
If you’re new to podcasting, start with shorter episodes (15-20 minutes). This allows you to experiment with different formats and find your voice without overwhelming yourself or your audience.
Look at other podcasts in your niche. What’s their average episode length? How do their listeners respond? Use this information as a benchmark, but don’t be afraid to deviate if it makes sense for your show.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lengths. Release a few episodes of varying durations and ask your audience for feedback. Use analytics tools to track listener retention and engagement.
No matter how long your episodes are, quality should always come first. Focus on delivering value to your listeners, whether that’s through insightful interviews, actionable tips, or compelling storytelling.
If you have a lot of content to cover, consider breaking it into a series of shorter episodes. This keeps your audience engaged and gives them a reason to come back for more.
Examples of Successful Podcast Lengths
Here are a few examples of popular podcasts and their episode lengths:
– The Daily (The New York Times): 20-30 minutes
A daily news podcast that delivers concise, in-depth stories.
– Serial: 45-60 minutes
A true crime podcast that uses longer episodes to build suspense and tell a complete story.
– How I Built This with Guy Raz: 45-90 minutes
An interview-based podcast that explores the stories behind successful businesses.
– TED Talks Daily: 10-20 minutes
A bite-sized podcast featuring TED Talks on a wide range of topics.
There’s no magic number, but understanding your audience, content style, and goals will help you find the ideal episode length. If you’re unsure, start small, analyze feedback, and adjust accordingly.
Success isn’t about how long your episodes are—it’s about how well you engage your listeners. Whether your show is 10 minutes or 90, focus on delivering value, telling great stories, and keeping your audience coming back for more. The best way to do this is also brainstorming with experts, You can rely on GoReccie for tips to host a successful podcast, book a podcast studio, or even record it for you. Get in touch with us for all of this and more.
