Apple Podcasts has unveiled a range of new creator tools aimed at providing podcast producers with deeper insights into their audiences, and has partnered with Linkfire to expand its analytics capabilities for podcasters, with the integration set to launch later this year.
The new updates include Subscription Analytics within Apple Podcasts Connect, a dashboard where creators monitor their audience engagement.
This new tool offers podcasters detailed metrics on subscription-related activities. It will also allow creators to track how many listeners initiated free trials, the percentage that converted to paid subscriptions, the types of subscription plans they have, and geographical distribution.
Moreover, the platform is set to include a breakdown between annual and monthly subscriptions, enabling podcasters to better understand their paying audience.
Apple Podcasts’ partnership with Linkfire, a marketing platform used by artists and labels, aims to extend their analytics capabilities to podcasters. Linkfire for Podcasts, set to launch later this year, offers an exclusive integration with Apple Podcasts.
This integration will provide podcast creators with insights to enhance their marketing strategies while respecting listeners’ privacy, said Apple in a press release on Monday (August 21).
With the Linkfire integration, Apple’s Subscription Analytics tool will be accessible through both Apple Podcasts Connect and Linkfire’s dashboard.
The launch of Subscription Analytics and the Linkfire partnership coincide with Apple’s efforts to expand its Delegated Delivery feature, which allows creators to publish subscriber episodes directly from their hosting provider’s dashboard.
“Through our exclusive partnership with Apple Podcasts, the world’s leading podcast platform, Linkfire for Podcasts delivers all-new engagement insights that unlock new marketing capabilities for creators while respecting listener privacy.”
Jeppe Faurfelt, Linkfire
Launched in January, the feature is currently supported by platforms such as Blubrry, Libsyn, Triton Digital’s Omny Studio, and RSS.com. Apple plans to include more hosting providers, like Audiomeans, Captivate, Podbean, Podspace, and Transistor, by the end of the year.
Linkfire for Podcasts is launching in a limited beta with select creators and shows, with plans to make it globally available in the fall. Additional features, like customization of link branding and collaborative invitations, will be accessible through a subscription priced at $9.99 per month.
“Linkfire for Podcasts is an absolute game-changer for podcast marketing,” said Jeppe Faurfelt, Linkfire Co-Founder and CCO.
“Through our exclusive partnership with Apple Podcasts, the world’s leading podcast platform, Linkfire for Podcasts delivers all-new engagement insights that unlock new marketing capabilities for creators while respecting listener privacy. We’re excited to see the creative ways podcasters promote their shows using this innovative toolkit.”
The development comes as Apple rival Spotify restructures its own podcast division.
Bloomberg reported on Friday (August 18) that the streaming giant is considering restricting white noise podcasts from its platform as they take audience away from regular talk feeds.
The initiative could result in a $38 million annual boost to Spotify’s profit, the report said.
Spotify has also been doubling down on its podcast strategy. Back in April, the company launched a new tool to let radio broadcasters turn their audio content into on-demand podcast content.
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