Do you need video for your podcast? I want to present the two arguments as I see them:
The Case FOR Video Podcasting
With nearly five million podcasts out there, the biggest challenge is being discovered. YouTube’s algorithm gives creators a unique edge, introducing shows to new audiences across its two billion daily users who spend about an hour on the platform. While people do not usually watch full podcast episodes on YouTube, even a few minutes of viewing can be enough to spark interest and drive listeners to the full audio version on apps where engagement is much deeper. As Gen Z increasingly treats YouTube as an audio platform—letting podcasts play in the background without watching—podcasters who embrace video now can expand discovery and funnel new fans into their dedicated listening channels.
The Case AGAINST Video Podcasting
You do not have to add video to have a successful podcast. Many of the world’s biggest shows remain audio only and continue to grow large audiences. Video brings extra work with production and editing, while engagement is often shallow since people rarely watch a full episode. More importantly, video takes away something that makes audio unique: the theater of the mind, where listeners imagine the scene and connect more personally with the voices they hear. For many creators, focusing on audio alone still offers the deepest bond with an audience.
Featured Insight
Short videos can make your podcast promotions perform better. I mean really short. Less than 10 seconds short.
A new scientific study shows mobile attention is collapsing, with average ad viewing time dropping from 3.4 seconds in 2018 to just 2.2 seconds today, a 35 percent decline in seven years. By analyzing more than 50,000 TV ads and 25,000 Facebook ads, researchers found that videos of 10 seconds or less drive more clicks, engagement, and website visits at lower cost. Results are strongest when you mention your podcast or episode right at the start, since attention peaks in the first few seconds. The State of Advertising 2025 combines these findings with insights from more than 300 marketing leaders to guide your promotion strategy.
Brand Spotlight
The Dallas Cowboys are a popular brand right? Cowboys are a popular team? America’s team? Here’s a list of podcasts about the Cowboys and their respective audiences estimated by Rephonic:
Podcast Stat of the Week
Livewire has updated its podcast hosts by episode share. Spotify for Creators (the free one… and you get what you pay for) is still #1. Spreaker, interestingly is number two, then Buzzsprout. The more interesting movement is lower in the top ten. RSS.com remains ones to watch. And both Transistor.FM and Captivate.FM are getting great feedback within the podcasting community. These are lowest levels recorded for Podbean and Libsyn
Pro Tool
There are a few podcast name generators out there, tools to help you find the right name for your show. Almost all of them are free. The newest is Buzzsprout which not only comes up with names for your show but checks whether they’re being used by anyone.
Some of the other tools out there include Riverside.FM, Podpage, Podcastpage, and Ausha (this one is interesting because Ausha’s focus is on podcast SEO… keywords that need to be in titles).
My advice? USE THEM ALL!! Find the commonalities and pick the title that really feels right to you.