What is Paywall?
A paywall is a system that prevents access to content unless the user pays a fee or has a subscription. It is used for premium podcasts or archives.
Why Paywall Matters for Podcasters
A paywall restricts access to an RSS feed. In the 'Freemium' model, the recent episodes are free (ad-supported), but the back catalog or bonus episodes are behind a paywall. To listen, a user must subscribe (via Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, Spotify, or Supercast). The platform then gives the user a unique, private RSS feed that works in their podcast app. Paywalls are becoming more common as creators seek stability against fluctuating ad rates. However, putting too much content behind a paywall can hinder new listener growth, so a balance is required.
Ready to get started?
Should you use a paywall? Find out with our Monetization Strategy Quiz.
Try Monetization Strategy Quiz →Related Terms
CPM (Cost Per Mille)
CPM stands for Cost Per Mille, which means cost per thousand downloads. It is the rate advertisers pay for every 1,000 downloads of your podcast episode.
Pre-Roll Ad
A pre-roll ad is an advertisement that plays at the very beginning of a podcast episode, before the main content starts. These ads typically last 15-60 seconds and are the first thing listeners hear.
Mid-Roll Ad
A mid-roll ad is an advertisement placed in the middle of a podcast episode, typically during a natural break in the content. These ads usually command the highest CPM rates because listeners are most engaged at this point.
Post-Roll Ad
A post-roll ad is an advertisement that plays at the end of a podcast episode, after the main content has concluded. These ads typically have lower CPM rates because not all listeners reach the end of episodes.