Podcasts are here to stay—but what will they look like in the future?
After outlining the history of podcasts and how to create a podcast, this is what Imagination’s Senior Audio Manager Peter Kosmal sees in the future of podcasts:
Interactivity
The future of audio will feature heightened interactivity. Over the course of the pandemic, 36% of smart speaker users reported using their devices for music and entertainment more than before, according to some NPR and Edison Research. As usage continues to increase, Kosmal predicts that smart speaker technology will continue to advance. For instance, Steve Henn, who leads content strategy for Google, told GeekWire he imagines a future where smart speakers enable interactivity or choose-your-own-adventure experiences.
Accessibility
The future of podcasting will be more accessible. Emerging technologies, particularly voice search, will make this possible. Using a voice command for a smart speaker is infinitely easier than bringing up a podcast on your phone. Plus, audio command technology provides a better experience for those who are visually impaired. We’ll see advancements in accessibility as faster and better transcripts of audio are available, which will enable users to not only find the podcast they were looking for but find the section of the podcast they’re looking for, according to Jonathan Gill, founder and CEO of Backtracks, who wrote an article for Forbes on the future of podcasting.
Inclusivity
The future of audio technology looks a lot more inclusive. Diversity and inclusion is important to listeners—particularly in Gen Z. It just goes to show (in addition to being the right thing to do) that successful podcasts in the future will connect communities—not exclude—and reflect diverse audiences and perspectives in their content.
