What is Listener Retention?
Listener retention (or consumption rate) is a metric that shows the percentage of an episode that people actually listen to, revealing where they lose interest and drop off.
Why Listener Retention Matters for Podcasters
Listener retention is the 'truth serum' of podcasting. While download numbers tell you how many people clicked, retention charts (available on Apple Podcasts Connect and Spotify for Podcasters) tell you if they actually liked it. A retention graph typically starts at 100% and slowly declines. Sharp drops indicate problem areas: a boring intro, a long ad break, or a dull guest. High retention implies the content is engaging. A standard benchmark is 70-80% completion; if listeners are dropping off at the 5-minute mark, the content strategy needs to change immediately.
Ready to get started?
Analyze your drop-off points and improve content with our Analytics Dashboard.
Try Analytics Dashboard →Related Terms
Audiogram
An audiogram is a short video clip that combines audio from your podcast with a visual waveform and your cover art, creating shareable social media content that promotes your show.
Waveform
A waveform is a visual representation of audio that shows the amplitude (loudness) of sound over time. In podcasting, waveforms are used in audiograms and editing software to visualize audio.
Show Notes
Show notes are written summaries or bullet points that accompany each podcast episode, typically including key topics, guest information, timestamps, and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
RSS Feed
An RSS feed is a standardized XML file that contains information about your podcast episodes, including titles, descriptions, audio file URLs, and publication dates. It's how podcast directories and apps discover and update your show.